Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, has affirmed that Governor Peter Mbah has made notable strides in digitalisation, innovation, and technology-led policymaking during his first two years in office.
Dr Ezeh made this known to journalists in Enugu on Monday while outlining the governor’s achievements in the fields of innovation, science, and technology over the past two years.
He noted that Governor Mbah not only recognises the transformative potential of innovation but has actively supported its growth and application across key sectors of the state’s socio-economic landscape.
According to the commissioner, the ministry has introduced digital infrastructure and e-governance systems aimed at promoting digital literacy, operational speed, transparency, and efficiency across all government ministries, departments, and agencies.
“Governor Mbah ensured the full implementation of digital infrastructure, staff retraining, the elimination of paperwork, improved data management, enhanced online services, and stronger citizen-government engagement,” Ezeh said.
He added that a Geographic Information System (GIS) had been deployed in the Ministry of Lands to streamline land administration, curb encroachment, and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ministry, he said, also collaborated with the Project Development Institute (PRODA) to produce multi-biomass briquette cooking stoves addressing current energy needs and contributing to the state’s socio-economic energy resilience.
In 2024, Enugu State invested in youth empowerment and technological innovation, fostering an ecosystem that promotes enterprise, leadership, and inclusive economic growth for the future.
Dr Ezeh also noted that grassroots healthcare innovations had been encouraged through the regulation of traditional medicine, the promotion of herbal research, and the protection of public health through ethical guidelines.
“This initiative fosters collaboration between traditional healers and modern medical professionals, encouraging mutual respect and safer practices,” he said.
In its second year, the administration established Enugu Smart Tech Ltd to spearhead future-focused technological innovation, working in partnership with e-School Africa to develop 260 Smart Schools across the state.
“This project is set to revolutionise education by equipping Smart Schools in all 260 wards with advanced digital tools, promoting e-learning across both urban and rural communities.
“The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and guarantee equal access to quality education through cutting-edge technology and sustainable digital learning strategies,” he added.
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The commissioner highlighted the ministry’s efforts to enhance traditional medicine through scientific research, trade fairs, and certification processes aimed at validating and formalising indigenous healing practices.
“The Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Trade Fair marked a significant milestone, bringing together healers, researchers, and policymakers to elevate indigenous knowledge and innovation,” Dr Ezeh stated.
He emphasised the trade fair’s impact, which included enhanced credibility, economic empowerment, and the stimulation of research, all of which align with the ministry’s vision to elevate rather than abandon traditional knowledge systems.
Dr Ezeh also spoke on the Coal Briquette Stove project, which addresses energy challenges by producing a cost-effective and efficient alternative using local engineering and materials.
The stoves, made from compressed coal dust sourced in Enugu, offer a cleaner and safer substitute for firewood, helping to reduce indoor air pollution and deforestation.
According to the commissioner, the stoves’ environmental benefits, affordability, and industrial potential make them appealing to small-scale manufacturers and rural households, thereby driving productivity and reducing operational costs.
He added that the coal stove initiative symbolises Enugu’s commitment to home-grown, sustainable innovation, positioning the state as an emerging leader in green technology within the West African sub-region.
“The recent Enugu Tech Festival was a testament to Governor Mbah’s vision for innovation and has become a major platform for inspiring young people and attracting investment.
“Over 15,000 participants attended—including tech entrepreneurs, researchers, developers, and investors creating vast opportunities for networking, mentorship, and strategic partnerships,” he noted.
The festival featured hackathons, innovation pitches, and tech labs, resulting in tangible outcomes such as new start-up launches, policy engagements, and a boost in technological education.
Dr Ezeh remarked that the festival’s success reflected the administration’s capacity to unify stakeholders and drive grassroots-led innovation.
“From traditional medicine to sustainable technology, the governor’s leadership reflects a new developmental approach rooted in local capacity and ingenuity.
“This journey is not dependent on federal allocations but propelled by ideas. Despite funding constraints and challenges of rural access, Enugu’s innovation path remains firmly on track.
“The foundation has been laid, and the future is being intentionally shaped. Innovation is being homegrown right here in Enugu State.
“Under Governor Mbah’s leadership, Enugu has become a living laboratory for transformative change bridging tradition and technology through inclusive public participation,” he concluded
