Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform. | October 12, 2026
ENUGU State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has called for the declaration of a national emergency in Nigeria’s education sector, insisting that urgent and substantial investment in human capital development is essential to securing the country’s future prosperity.
The governor made the call during the 2026 Enugu Education Summit, where he officially unveiled the Enugu State Education Policy at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on October 7, 2026.
The summit, themed “Transforming Education for the Future: Leadership, Innovation, Partnership, Financing and Sustainable Reform,” brought together education stakeholders, development partners and representatives of international organisations to discuss strategies for improving the quality, accessibility and relevance of education in Nigeria.
Governor Mbah maintained that education must move beyond political promises and become a national priority reflected in government budgets, teacher development, modern infrastructure, improved learning standards and stronger partnerships among governments, communities, development agencies and the private sector.
According to him, Nigeria’s future economic prosperity depends significantly on the knowledge, skills and capabilities of its citizens, stressing that every Nigerian child deserves access to quality education capable of preparing them for the demands of a rapidly changing world.
He argued that no nation could sustainably eradicate poverty or achieve meaningful development without equipping its people with the knowledge and practical skills required to create wealth, secure employment, establish businesses and contribute meaningfully to society.
The governor also emphasised the need for Nigeria to transition from a consumption-driven economy to a creation-driven economy by empowering young people to research, design, engineer and develop solutions that address local and global challenges.
ENUGU’S INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION
Highlighting his administration’s approach, Mbah disclosed that Enugu State had committed 33 per cent of its annual budget to education for three consecutive years, supporting the development of modern learning facilities and improvements across the education sector.
He cited the establishment of 268 Smart Green Schools and more than 7,000 classrooms equipped with modern learning facilities as part of the state’s broader effort to reposition education for the future.
The Smart Green Schools initiative is designed to promote technology-enabled learning, experiential education, digital literacy and environmentally responsible school infrastructure.
Mbah explained that his administration deliberately chose a comprehensive transformation of the education system rather than limiting its interventions to conventional classroom renovations and the provision of basic school materials.
The governor said the state’s ambition was to prepare children for the world they would inherit, ensuring that the education system remained relevant to emerging technologies, innovation and the changing demands of the economy.
NEW EDUCATION POLICY TO GUIDE REFORMS
At the summit, Governor Mbah unveiled the Enugu State Education Policy, which he said was already being implemented and would provide a strategic framework for the sector over the next six to ten years.
The policy is intended to establish a clear direction for educational planning, improve learning outcomes, strengthen institutional capacity and ensure that investments in education produce measurable and sustainable results.
The development also builds on the Enugu State Education Sector Plan 2026–2035, developed with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The governor stressed that sustainable educational transformation requires careful planning, consistent investment and effective implementation rather than isolated projects.
UNICEF, UNESCO AND BRITISH COUNCIL COMMEND ENUGU
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the British Council commended the Mbah administration for placing education at the centre of its development agenda.
UNICEF highlighted the state’s investments in Smart Green Schools, teacher development, foundational learning, digital literacy and experiential learning.
UNESCO also praised the Smart Green Schools initiative, the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), and the state’s plan to recruit more than 6,000 teachers and other education personnel.
The British Council equally expressed support for the state’s ambition to build an education system that develops strong foundational knowledge, creativity and the practical skills learners need to contribute to society and the economy.
The summit concluded with the official unveiling of the education policy and a tour of the Smart Green School Innovation Studio, where students showcased innovations developed through their learning experiences.
EDUCATION AS A FOUNDATION FOR ENUGU’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION
The education reforms align with Governor Mbah’s broader ambition to transform Enugu into a major economic hub, with a long-term target of growing the state’s economy from approximately $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
A skilled, innovative and technologically equipped population will be critical to achieving this ambition, particularly as the state pursues investments in agriculture, manufacturing, technology, tourism and other productive sectors.
For Enugu Media Village, the central question is how these policy commitments will translate into improved classroom experiences, stronger learning outcomes, expanded opportunities for teachers and better prospects for children across the state.
As implementation continues, sustained monitoring, adequate funding and collaboration among government, educators, parents and development partners will be essential to ensuring that the policy delivers tangible benefits to learners in both urban and rural communities.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform, will continue to report on government policies, educational reforms and development initiatives shaping the future of Enugu State.