Guild of Editors Tours Major Projects as Governor Mbah Outlines Enugu’s Ambition to Become South-East Economic Gateway.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform | September 28, 2026.
ENUGU — The 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu has brought renewed attention to the state’s ongoing infrastructure projects, economic development strategy and ambition to position Enugu as a major economic gateway to the South-East.
The conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), brought together more than 300 editors, senior media executives and industry veterans for discussions around democracy, the media, governance, development and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence-generated misinformation.
Beyond the conference sessions, editors also embarked on a tour of major projects undertaken by the Enugu State Government, providing participants with an opportunity to observe some of the infrastructure highlighted by Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah during his address to the gathering.
Editors Inspect Major Infrastructure Projects
During the project tour, the NGE delegation visited several facilities and development projects, including the rehabilitated Hotel Presidential, one of the state’s Smart Secondary Schools, the Ngwo-Pine Tourism Complex, an ongoing integrated livestock hub and other infrastructure projects.
The editors also inspected aspects of the state’s road network, security infrastructure and other facilities connected to the government’s broader development programme.
NGE President Eze Anaba said the projects inspected demonstrated the importance of infrastructure to economic development, while stressing the role of peer review in enabling states to learn from one another.
The Guild’s observations followed its previous visits to Enugu, during which members had inspected projects including Smart Schools, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training College, roads, transport terminals, water infrastructure and revived state assets.
Mbah Outlines Economic Transformation Agenda
Speaking to the editors, Governor Mbah said his administration’s infrastructure investments were part of a broader strategy to transform Enugu into an economic and investment destination.
The governor said the administration is working to position Enugu as an economic gateway to the South-East, while pursuing an ambition to make the state one of Nigeria’s leading economies and a national leader in human development and quality of life.
Mbah linked the state’s investments in roads, transportation, security, tourism, aviation, education, healthcare and other sectors to a common economic objective.
According to reports from the conference, the governor said the administration’s long-term economic ambition includes growing the state’s economy from about $4.4 billion to $30 billion, while creating an environment where people can live, work, invest and build businesses.
Roads, Education and Healthcare Take Centre Stage
The governor highlighted the scale of infrastructure development across the state, citing more than 1,500 kilometres of roads constructed or reconstructed, alongside investments in education and healthcare.
He also referenced more than 7,000 classrooms, Smart Green Schools and Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres being developed across the state’s 260 wards.
The administration has similarly pointed to investments in water infrastructure, modern transport terminals and compressed natural gas-powered buses as part of efforts to improve mobility and public services.
Mbah said these projects were designed not merely as standalone infrastructure but as interconnected components of a wider development strategy.
Enugu Air and New Investment Opportunities
The conference also provided an opportunity to highlight developments in aviation and connectivity.
Governor Mbah cited Enugu Air, alongside investments in transport and the development of a new city, as part of the state’s effort to improve connectivity and attract investment.
The governor also acknowledged the role of the Federal Government, particularly in areas including roads, aviation, energy and regional development, in supporting the state’s development efforts.
Media Asked to Independently Assess Development Claims
A major theme of the governor’s engagement with the editors was the relationship between government and the media.
Mbah urged journalists to go beyond headlines and political narratives by independently establishing facts through evidence, investigation and context.
He said government has a responsibility to remain transparent about its activities and accountable for its results, while the media has a responsibility to scrutinise government actions and report what the evidence shows — whether it reveals progress or shortcomings.
The governor consequently encouraged the visiting editors to explore Enugu, interact with residents and assess the projects and developments for themselves.
Conference Focuses on Democracy and Responsible Journalism
While Enugu’s development programme featured prominently in the conference’s engagements, the central focus of ANEC 2026 was broader.
The conference theme was “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with the sub-theme “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Misinformation Before, During and After Elections.”
Participants examined the responsibilities of the media in protecting democratic institutions, promoting credible information and confronting the growing challenge of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation.
The gathering therefore provided a platform for discussions on both national democratic development and the role of the media in scrutinising government policies and public projects.
Enugu Positions Infrastructure as Foundation for Growth
The visit by the editors has placed Enugu’s infrastructure programme under additional national media attention, particularly as the state seeks to link physical development with economic expansion.
The projects showcased during the conference — spanning roads, education, healthcare, transportation, tourism, security and economic infrastructure — form part of the Mbah administration’s stated strategy of using infrastructure and public-sector investment to create conditions for increased economic activity.
As Enugu continues to pursue its ambition of becoming a stronger economic gateway to the South-East, the debate will increasingly centre not only on the number of projects delivered but also on their measurable impact on residents, businesses, investment and human development.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform, will continue to monitor the implementation of Enugu State’s development programmes and provide factual, timely and accountable coverage of the state’s infrastructure, economy and governance.