Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform— October 14, 2026.
ENUGU State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has called for the declaration of a national emergency in Nigeria’s education sector, stressing that urgent and sustained investment in education is essential to the country’s economic growth, human capital development and long-term prosperity.
The governor made the call while delivering his keynote address at the 2026 Enugu Education Summit, where he unveiled the Enugu State Education Policy at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on October 7.
The summit, themed “Transforming Education for the Future: Leadership, Innovation, Partnership, Financing and Sustainable Reform,” brought together education stakeholders, development partners and government representatives to discuss strategies for transforming the education sector.
Governor Mbah maintained that education must be treated as a national priority through increased budgetary allocations, teacher development, improved infrastructure, higher learning standards and stronger partnerships among federal and state governments, development agencies, communities and the private sector.
According to him, Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on equipping every child with the knowledge, skills and capabilities required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
He warned that inadequate investment in education would impose greater economic and social costs on the country in the future, arguing that sustainable development cannot be achieved without addressing the knowledge and skills gaps that limit productivity, innovation and wealth creation.
Enugu’s Education Investment
Highlighting his administration’s commitment to education, Mbah disclosed that Enugu State had allocated 33 per cent of its annual budget to the sector for three consecutive years.
He said the investment had supported the development of 268 Smart Green Schools and more than 7,000 classrooms equipped with modern learning facilities and 21st-century educational tools.
The governor explained that the state’s education reforms were designed to go beyond the renovation of existing facilities, focusing instead on building a modern education system capable of preparing children and young people for future economic and technological demands.
He emphasised that Nigeria must transition from a consumption-driven economy to a creation-driven economy by equipping young people to research, design, engineer, innovate and develop solutions to real-world challenges.
Mbah also disclosed that the newly unveiled Enugu State Education Policy was already being implemented and would serve as a strategic framework for guiding the state’s education sector over the next six to ten years.
UNICEF, UNESCO Commend Enugu’s Education Reforms
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the British Council commended the Enugu State Government for prioritising education and investing in initiatives aimed at improving learning outcomes.
UNICEF acknowledged the state’s investments in Smart Green Schools, teacher development, foundational learning, digital literacy and experiential learning. The agency also noted its support for the development of the Enugu State Education Sector Plan 2026–2035.
UNESCO similarly praised the Smart Green Schools initiative and the state’s Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation, describing the approach as an important step towards preparing learners for a rapidly changing world.
The British Council expressed its commitment to continued collaboration with the state government to ensure that education policies translate into improved classroom experiences and stronger learning outcomes.
Building a Future-Ready Education System
The unveiling of the Enugu State Education Policy reinforces the Mbah administration’s development agenda, which places human capital development alongside infrastructure, technology, healthcare and economic expansion.
By promoting digital literacy, practical learning, innovation and improved access to quality education, the state government aims to prepare its young population for emerging opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship, industry and other productive sectors.
The success of the policy will ultimately depend on effective implementation, sustained funding, teacher support, equitable access to learning opportunities and measurable improvements in students’ academic performance and practical skills.
As Enugu continues to pursue its ambition of building a more productive and diversified economy, the administration’s education reforms are positioned as a critical investment in the state’s future workforce and prosperity.
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