Tinubu’s support enables us to do more for our people — Gov. Mbah

By Soni Daniel, Editor, Northern Operations

Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has undertaken many transformative projects across the length and breadth of the state in just three years. After meeting with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and members of the Presidential Media Team who were touring projects being undertaken by governors in the South‑East geopolitical zone, Dr Mbah spoke about the vision that inspires his projects and said President Tinubu’s support has helped governors in the Southeast to do more for their people.

What are you doing at the moment in terms of the programmes and policies of your administration?

When we campaigned for office, we set out a blueprint for what Enugu could become under our watch. That blueprint was based on three pillars. First, to grow the economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in eight years. Second, to eradicate poverty – we inherited a poverty headcount of 58 % and committed to bring that number to zero in eight years. Third, to make Enugu the number one destination for tourism, living, business and investment.

The first item – exponential growth – means raising the economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, which translates to a 27 % compound annual growth rate. The historical growth trend does not reflect this projection, which is why we faced scepticism. We realised that a new era of disruptive innovation was required, and that growth would be government‑enabled to benefit the private sector.

We needed to lay the fundamentals for private capital to flow. These initiatives are not isolated; they connect and reinforce each other. For example, in the medical sector we identified key drivers and security challenges. We invested heavily in technology and partnered with security agencies to end the “sit‑at‑home” restrictions, creating a safe environment for private investment. The medical market in Enugu is about $2 billion; capturing 10 % would yield $200 million. To achieve this, we built a world‑class hospital, recruited top professionals, and established an advanced oncology centre for diagnosis, therapeutics and treatment.

To what extent is the Enugu state government involved in the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which is a federal government project in Enugu?

Our goal is to bring 3 million visitors to Enugu, which requires at least 100 aircraft landing daily. The current airport handles only 4 or 5 flights per day. We therefore invested in pull factors: four major tourism sites, Africa’s longest zipline (300 metres), a 5.6‑kilometre cable car from the state’s highest point (580 metres) to a monastery, and a chapel for religious tourism. These attractions encourage visitors, but we also need accessible transport. We launched our own airline, now operating nearly 20 daily flights, and aim to increase that to 100.

We partnered with an investor to secure a successful concession of the Akanu Ibiam Airport, making it the first airport in history to be concessioned. This will provide direct flights from Enugu to the US, UK and China, benefiting the entire South‑East region.

What have you been able to do about the security of the state under your administration so far?

We have invested heavily in technology to monitor the state’s gateways and to detect crime early. We identified nine key gateways and now have real‑time visibility of movements in and out of the state. Our Distress Response Support (DRS) system uses AI‑enabled cameras on patrol vehicles and body cameras for officers, allowing continuous monitoring of activities and ensuring compliance during night duty.

How do you intend to sustain these high value, high capital investments in your smart school drive if your internal revenue slows down?

Operating costs are expected to remain manageable. Over the last two and a half years, we built more than 7,000 classrooms, established 267 smart learning schools equipped with robotics centres, AI, ICT and 3D printers. We also created a Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation to address the key risk of inadequate teacher capacity. Our approach emphasizes practical, team‑based learning, such as building filtration systems to clean water, fostering problem‑solving skills.

We are training teachers in AI, robotics, mechatronics and other 21st‑century skills, starting from age 3 and continuing through 12 years of free, mandatory education.

How has Mr. President’s policies and reforms impacted what you’re doing in Enugu as a governor?

Without President Tinubu’s bold policies, our scale of work would be impossible. His reforms have freed up resources for sub‑national governments, enabling a $1 trillion economy that starts at the periphery. He has strengthened the full intent of responsibility, providing finance to states.

I learned from my predecessor that after salary payments from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, little remained for state projects. The increased funds from the federation account and central support now allow us to execute large‑scale initiatives.

His removal of subsidies, unification of exchange rates, tax sector reforms and other initiatives have benefited us. We are also excited about the NELFUND policy, which frees state funds for essential projects by encouraging scholarship applications.

Vanguard News

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