Youth innovators at the weekend won big at the maiden edition of the state backed Enugu Campus Hackathon competition.

The Campus Hackathon is an innovation platform to consolidate the state’s place as a rising hub for youth-led digital enterprise and venture creation in line with the Enugu State Digital Transformation Strategy.

Enugu Governor, Dr Peter Mbah who witnessed the grand finale described the campus hackathon as part of his administration’s bold innovation drives to move the state from a consumption-driven economy to a productivity-led economy.

Speaking during the grand finale, which held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Mbah described the youths as the heartbeat of knowledge-driven and digital economy.

In the main category of the hackathon, which was delivered in collaboration with Genesys Tech Hub, The Garage, and Capitis Global Ventures, Growdex, an AI-powered advertising automation platform that enables creators and businesses to create, publish, and optimize ads across multiple channels from a single dashboard, won the star prize of $5,000 in investment grant.

Zaddy Express, a tech-enabled logistics and on-demand delivery platform delivering fast, reliable, last-mile solutions for individuals and businesses, came second and won $3,500 investment grant.

Linia Finance, a fintech platform providing accessible, data-driven credit and financial tools to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, and underserved individuals came third and got US$2,500 investment grant.

In the DeepTech category powered by the African DeepTech Foundation, Ambu Gynacare, a health-tech startup developing biodegradable sanitary pads made from banana fibers to combat menstrual poverty and reduce plastic waste emerged winner, taking home the sum of US$2,500 in investment grant.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and MSMEs, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, the winners will in addition to the cash grants, undergo a six-month post-hackathon incubation programme with Genesys Tech Hub, valued at over US$10,000, where they are to gain structured mentorship, product refinement, investor readiness, and scaling support.

Chilo-Offiah, who doubles as the Director-General of the Enugu State SME Centre, said the focus of the hackathon on universities was deliberate.

“This is an incubation programme that goes to the heart of the startup ecosystem, which is our universities. That is where innovation starts,” he said

He explained that the top 10 teams emerged for the finale after campus rounds and a 10-day intensive boot camp.

Meanwhile, Governor Mbah said the Enugu Campus Hackathon was designed to identify and accelerate high-potential technology talents across tertiary institutions in the state.

He added that Hackathon reflects his administration’s deliberate strategy to build a modern, innovation-driven economy anchored on enterprise, technology and private-sector growth.

The governor , who was represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, stressed that the administration’s guiding philosophy “is a clear shift from consumption to productivity.”

“Enugu State must move from a consumption-driven structure to a productivity-led economy powered by enterprise, technology and a vibrant private sector. Today, we are not merely providing a platform for competition.

“We are architecting systems and institutional frameworks designed to unlock the vast potential of our youth. Our mission is to build a modern economy capable of competing on the global stage,” he stated.

Mbah described the initiative as part of a broader investment in what he termed “intellectual infrastructure.”

“We are redesigning our educational system to produce problem-solvers rather than mere certificate holders. By modernising our curriculum and enabling technology-driven learning, we are preparing our young people for the demands of the future global workplace. This is what we call intellectual infrastructure,” he said.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, alongside the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, will participate in the Enugu Tech Festival 2026.

The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Enugu State, Lawrence Ezeh, disclosed this on Sunday, noting that Governor Peter Mbah, who is the Special Guest of Honour, will declare the festival open and present Enugu’s technology and youth-innovation initiatives.

Mr Ezeh said the event, also known as ETF 0.2, will feature a broad range of speakers, including the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm.

According to Mr Ezeh, the speakers represent sectors driving technological advancement, including artificial intelligence, fintech, clean energy, digital policy, and investment.

“There will be keynote speeches, panel discussions, masterclasses, and workshops focusing on artificial intelligence, agritech, healthtech, cybersecurity, renewable energy technology, and digital infrastructure,” he said.

The festival, themed “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” reflects Enugu’s economic transition and ambition to position itself as a technology and innovation hub.

Scheduled to hold from 24 to 27 February at the Enugu International Conference Centre, the commissioner said the event is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants, including startup founders, developers, investors, corporate leaders, academics, policymakers, and students.

He added that delegations from across Nigeria, other African countries, and international innovation ecosystems have confirmed attendance.

Mr Ezeh said a major highlight of the festival will be three days of free digital skills training for over 67,000 participants, both physically and online.

He noted that trainers from the United Kingdom, including partners from 1Goal Analytics, will conduct sessions covering data analytics, software development, artificial intelligence, and digital project management, with participants receiving foreign certification.

The commissioner said the festival aligns with Governor Mbah’s vision of transforming Enugu into a knowledge-based and digitally driven economy.

“The governor has consistently emphasised innovation, enterprise, and youth empowerment as central to the state’s future. Through reforms and investments, Enugu is laying the foundations for a resilient digital economy,” he said.

The Enugu State Government has urged students to prioritise innovation, technology and creativity as pathways to self-reliance and career success.

Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, gave the charge at the 2026 Cultural and Scientific Display Day of Command Day Secondary School, Enugu, themed “Celebrating Nigerian Heritage and Innovation.”

Ezeh said the state had deployed platforms and programmes to keep students aligned with emerging technological trends, noting that several projects showcased at the event demonstrated strong start-up potential.

“I am impressed with the innovative and scientific displays. From my assessment, some of the ideas presented here can grow into viable start-ups,” he said.

The commissioner invited student innovators to participate in the Enugu Tech Festival scheduled for February 24–27, describing it as an opportunity to exhibit ideas and engage with international technology leaders.

Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for sustained support to Army schools nationwide.

Represented by Col. John Oshikoya, acting Commander, 105 Division Equipment Support, Fadairo acknowledged the presence of traditional rulers and other dignitaries at the event.

In his welcome address, Commandant Lt.-Col. Nuhu Abdulsalam said the Cultural and Scientific Day was designed to deepen understanding, foster innovation and promote unity through intercultural interaction.

He added that integrating cultural and scientific exhibitions into the school’s academic framework was aimed at producing well-rounded and responsible citizens.

“Culture represents the total way of life of a people from dressing and language to values and evolving scientific innovations.

Recognising this, the management deliberately integrated cultural and scientific exhibitions into our educational experience,” Abdulsalam said.

By Alex Enebeli

The Chief Executive Officer of Kiara De-Luke Academy, Aba, Endi Ezengwa, says the institution is driving critical human capital development needed to sustain industries across Nigeria.

Mr Ezengwa spoke on Thursday when the Logistics De-Luke Industrial Complex and Kiara De-Luke Academy (KDA) hosted officials of Cable Network (CNN) and the Afrexim Bank in Aba. The visit assessed the impact of uninterrupted power supply from Geometrics Power Ltd on industries operating within the zone.

KDA, a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution, provides skills training for young people across various industrial disciplines.

Mr Ezengwa said the partnership between the industrial complex and the academy enables trainees to gain hands-on experience in real production environments. He listed the industrial units supporting the training programme to include R&A Furniture, LDL Garment Factory, the Welding and Fabrication Centre, the Electrical Installation and Maintenance Department, and the Building and Construction Department.

According to him, the academy’s training programmes are aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), with modular examinations ensuring that graduates are properly certified.

He explained that graduates are offered opportunities to work within the industrial cluster, move into related industries, or receive support to establish their own businesses.

Mr Ezengwa commended the Federal Ministry of Education for its TVET Initiative Project, which provides resources to train large numbers of unemployed youths in various trades. He emphasised that deeper collaboration between training institutions and industries was essential for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He also recalled that the N-Power programme launched by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2016 was unveiled at the same centre.

The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Industrial Complex, Raymond Aliga, who said such initiatives were pivotal to bridging Nigeria’s skills gap and creating sustainable employment as the country pushes to diversify its economy.

During the tour, the visitors inspected the complex’s showroom and production lines. They also observed how stable power supply has enhanced productivity, improved the performance of heavy-duty machinery, and supported the rollout of upgraded facilities within the industrial cluster.

Enugu State Government has received multiple national honours at the 2025 Presidential GovTech Awards, underscoring the success of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in driving digital transformation and innovation in governance.

At the event held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, weekend, the Enugu State Geographic Information System Service (ENGIS) clinched two major awards, including the Award of Excellence in Geographic Information Service.

The recognition, organized by the Presidency through the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), celebrates outstanding achievements in technology-driven governance and public sector innovation.

Led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, ENGIS was lauded for its pioneering work in digital mapping, land administration, and geospatial intelligence.

The awards were coming at a time the agency was being lauded for its reforms in streamlining land processes, reducing fraudulent land practices, and digitizing records to ensure transparency and efficiency in the state’s land administration.

Speaking shortly after receiving the awards, Nwatu attributed the success to Governor Mbah’s visionary leadership and commitment to digital innovation, saying “The awards validate our commitment to excellence and ease of doing business.”

He said the ENGIS has revolutionized land administration in the state by eliminating administrative barriers and reducing the processing time for land title documents from months and in some cases, years, to only 72 hours.

“In addition to the institutional award, we also received the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award for our exemplary leadership in advancing digital governance and promoting the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda in the public service.

“We are not surprised that these awards were coming at the right time. They’re reflections of commitment and resilience of our administration to deliver state-of-the-art services. Governor Mbah’s administration is widely acknowledged for leveraging technology to promote transparency, attract investment, and improve service delivery across key sectors,” he added.

While appreciating the governor’s leadership commitment in transforming the state in digital innovation, digital infrastructure and digital security, Nwatu added that reforms in land administration in the state had already positioned Enugu as a model of efficiency and digital governance in Nigeria.

The Presidential GovTech Awards celebrate innovation, efficiency, and the transformative use of technology within Nigeria’s public sector, ensuring recipients undergo rigorous assessments before being selected for recognition.

The Swedish Embassy in Nigeria has formally endorsed Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) 2026, scheduled to be one of the largest technology gatherings in Africa.

The endorsement was made official in Abuja during a high-level meeting between officials of the Swedish Embassy and the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr Lawrence Eze, and his ETF team.

Speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu on the endorsement, Eze said that the discussions on the endorsement centered on strengthening cross-border partnerships.

The commissioner said that it also focused on capacity building for young innovators, and positioning Enugu as the epicenter of Africa’s digital economy.

He described the meeting and endorsement as “crucial” and “forward-looking”, thus, laying the groundwork for stronger bilateral collaborations ahead of ETF 2026.

“Next year’s Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) 2026, we are looking at having over 50,000 participants; so, it is going to be quite huge and we are very much looking forward to having the Swedish Embassy fully represented.

“Enugu State is the fastest rising state in Nigeria, and this remarkable growth is no coincidence but a direct result of the visionary and innovative leadership of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

“The Governor’s bold reforms, forward-thinking policies, and unwavering commitment to harnessing technology, innovation, and human capital development have positioned Enugu as a hub for creativity and enterprise.

“His focus on digital transformation, smart governance, and youth-driven development continues to inspire confidence, attract investment and create opportunities for sustainable growth,” he said.

Eze said that it’s on Mbah’s foundation of innovation that the ETF is being built, serving as a testament of his administration’s dedication to making “Enugu the Silicon Valley of Nigeria and a true beacon of progress in Africa.”

Corroborating, the ETF Team Lead, Mr Eliezer Ajah, emphasised the enormous potential of the festival and how strategic partnerships with global players like Sweden would deepen the impact of the initiative.

According to Ajah, Enugu has the highest concentration of tertiary institutions, it means that there is a very young educated population that can be taught stuff and can learn stuff.

“It will even make sense if we can even look at around alignment with Swedfund to see low hanging fruits you have and that can be harnessed regarding tech-innovation in Nigeria within the South-East.

“We can use Enugu Tech Festival as a vehicle to unlock them since we have the numbers, we have the reach, we have the access to these people to significantly shorten the goals that are being targeted.

“So at the end of the day it is a value for value; and hopefully foreign experts (embassy tech-innovation experts) will also come to speak and share things with us at the festival.

“Ideally for us, we want to max (maximize) out this partnership, this relationship, and Enugu Tech Festival is going to be that Hot Bird that we can use to maximize it a lot,” he said.

The engagement signals a new phase in Enugu’s tech diplomacy, ensuring that ETF 2026 would not just be a regional event but a continental gathering of ideas, solutions and opportunities.

ETF 2026, which is scheduled to hold between Feb. 24 and Feb. 27, 2026 at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, is expected to draw over 50,000 participants, including global tech-innovators, policymakers, investors and industry leaders.

The ETF 2026, also known as ETF 2.0, which is themed: “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form”, would feature exhibitions, keynote speeches, innovation showcases, and strategic partnership forums designed to drive sustainable development through technology.

Enugu State Government had reaffirmed its commitment to building a world-class digital ecosystem that would empower youths, attract investors, and redefine Africa’s tech-innovation landscape.

The Enugu State Government says it is targeting training and empowering initial 1,000 youths on fabrication of the Made in Enugu innovative green energy and safe cooking stove.

The stove, also known as Enugu Stove, designed 100 per cent on local content and uses smokeless- cum-odourless coal briquette to produce sustained heat for cooking.

The state’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Eze, disclosed this to newsmen in Enugu on Thursday.

Eze said that the internship (training) would be done in collaboration with Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI) to maintain original design and standard of the green energy stove.

The commissioner said that the training would be done in 2026 after first initial 150,000 unit production of the stove; while those to be trained would be empowered with start-up packs at the end.

He said that his ministry would create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or a commercial arm to oversee the collaboration with SEDI and the four coal briquette producing factories (one in each senatorial zone).

According to him, with the innovative green energy and safe stove, the ministry will be turned to a revenue generating ministry and that will be a legacy I shall be leaving behind.

“The stove and other laudable initiatives by His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, are meant to uplift economic and living standard of our people in meeting target of increasing the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

“We are branding it ‘Made in Enugu’ in order to project the ‘Enugu Brand’ just as we have Enugu Air, Enugu Rice and other Enugu brands to come.

“The branding will set out our state’s products/programmes and their quality and uniqueness different from others anywhere it is found in the country, Africa and worldwide.

“The Enugu Stove is an innovative green energy and safe cooking stove meant to secure Nigeria and Africa from deforestation and ecology losses due to felling of trees for firewood and air pollution while producing charcoal,” he said.

Eze said that the stove also eliminates the frustration in having cooking disrupted due to running out of gas or kerosene and one running to his/her neighbours for help in odd hours.

The commissioner said that with the stove coming on stream, the state government would intensify it campaign against cutting and felling of trees and producing charcoal in the state.

“Within years, due to a better safety, economic and environmental benefits of the stove, most residents in the country will stop using other alternative for cooking,” he added.

No fewer than 18 tech-innovative groups have pitched their tech-innovative solution meant to solve local and contemporary challenges of Nigerians in the Government Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX).

The tech-innovative groups, who showcased their digital, technology and innovative ideas, were drawn from the five states of the South-East, which included: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.

In an address on Tuesday in Enugu, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, said that Enugu had continued to nurture a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Ezeh noted that with bold steps in tech education, digital infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, “Enugu State Government is actively enabling the conditions for startups to thrive — from idea to scale up.

“To the startups pitching today, this is more than just a competition. It is your moment to shine before national ecosystem leaders, investors and policymakers.

“It is your invitation to step forward and become part of the GITEX Nigeria 2025 story — and potentially, GITEX Global Dubai.

“We urge you to be bold, be clear and most importantly, be authentic. Because today, Enugu is not just a host — it is a launch-pad to greater tomorrow,” he said.

Ezeh commended the National Information Technology Development Agency (NiTDA) and the Office of the Nigeria Digital Innovation (ONDI) for bringing GITEX Nigeria 2025 Roadshow (South-East) to transform digital and tech-innovative opportunities for the youths.

The commissioner said, “Enugu State is proud to be part of this visionary initiative that is traversing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones in search of the country’s most promising startups.

“Digital innovation is driving economic expansion and global competitiveness, this roadshow is a strategic intervention — spotlighting young founders, amplifying untapped potential, and creating a pipeline of talent that will shape the future of our national digital economy.”

Earlier, the Director General of NiTDA, Mr Inuwa Kashifu, noted that the agency was grateful to the Enugu State Government for providing the agency’s office in the South-East and involving other technology and innovative projects and training.

Kashifu, who was represented by the Head, NiTDA South-East, Dr Nkem Momah, said that the GITEX 2025 Roadshow would be taken to zones of the country to get sound digital local innovation to solve national challenges.

He said, “There are financial benefits and support to the best of ideas and at least six tech-innovative ideas will be invited from South-East to Lagos or Abuja to continue their raise even to global stage.

“We are seeing lots of youths in the South-East with technological and innovative solution ideas; the energy and passion to push higher pitch ideas they have incubated or developed.”

The Coordinator of GITEX Nigeria Roadshow (South-East), Chinyere Otuonye, challenged the innovative groups to focus on bringing out solutions and App to address local challenges and improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.

Otuonye, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Sparks Ventures Hub, noted that Nigeria youths potentials in tech-innovation could help the country overcome most of its challenges and build millions of digital work spaces.

The high point of the event was a minute of silence observed at the beginning of the event in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, 82, who died on Sunday at a London Clinic.

The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja said it could generate over 200 billion dollars annually from space regulation and licensing.

Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology said this at a one-day sensitisation and stakeholders engagement on the commencement of space regulation, spectrum management and licensing in Nigeria.

The workshop was organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

Nnaji said the workshop was a bold step towards building a fair competitive space industry that could contribute directly to Nigeria’s economic development and technological leadership.

“With this space regulation and licensing, companies such as Starlink, including DSTV who pay peanuts for using space products and short-changing Nigerians will be regulated and licenced.

“You can be assured that yearly, following the laid down strategies, we will be looking at realising over 200 billion dollars annually with increment yearly of 18 to 20 per cent,” Nnaji said.

He said that President Bola Tinubu had also approved the mainstreaming of space technology in revenue generation, especially in the oil and gas sector.

“This will ensure that any ship coming into this country, even when they switch off their ignition and glide-in without paying bunker fees and other payments, and then head out, space technology can detect their entry for necessary payments.

“So we are looking at over 20 billion dollars yearly income through that and that is part of the many reforms that is coming under this regulation,” the minister said.

He added that space was no longer an exclusive domain of dreamers but for innovation and national security through satellites for communications, remote sensing, navigation and data systems.

According to him, space is now central to modern economies.

“Our task is to ensure a clear regulated ecosystem where both public and private players can thrive and a space sector that drives innovation, attracts investments and delivers real impact for our people,” he said.

Nnaji said the Federal Government, through the National Space Council, consisting of 15 members was working and pushing the National Space policy to include relevant areas as obtainable in modern space operations.

Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director-General of NASRDA, said the workshop was designed to find ways for the implementation of the 2015 regulations on licensing and supervision of space as enshrined in the agency’s Act of 2010.

Adepoju said that with the recent growth of the space sector that had seen increased number of satellites and more space-based assets, it was important for the sector to be regulated, commercialised to boost the economy.

“These regulations provide a comprehensive framework, ensures compliance with national and international space laws, promotes transparency in licensing processes,enhances security and safety in space operations.

“Space licensing and regulation can serve as a revenue-generating avenue for the Nigerian government,”Adepoju said.

He also said that by implementing a structured licensing system, the agency would ensure proper fees and charges for satellite launches, spectrum management, and data services in the country.

According to him, it will promote the commercialisation of space-related services, and attract local and foreign investments into Nigeria’s space industry.

Mr Olisa Agbakoba,  A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, while speaking on Space Regulation and Spectrum Management, said there was need to review the National Space Policy that was produced in 2000.

Agbakoba also said Nigeria needed to domesticate the key international space treaties that were ratified but were yet to be incorporated into the policy.

He recalled that global space economy had been projected to be one trillion dollars by 2030, adding that was paramount that Nigeria was left out of the windfall.

“We can capture a huge chunk of the market, but we need to have the right regulatory, legal and institutional frameworks in place right now.

“There are four or five important treaties that we need to domesticate because you may ratify, but if it is not passed by the National Assembly, it is not law.

“There is the Outer Space Treaty 1967 and we ratified it in 1967, Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention of 1974 and the Moon Agreement,” he said.

The legal practitioner also called for the strengthening of the National Space Council, adding that implementation of the policy could be difficult without a viable council.

Dr Umar Bindir, Secretary to Adamawa State Government, while speaking on the imperative of space regulation in Nigeria, called for harmonised translation of scientific knowledge to practical solutions.

Bindir also said that regulatory frameworks should align with national development agendas thereby promoting innovation.

“We need to analyse all the historical and overlapping groups, particularly ministries, agencies and also the database of universities, polytechnic, college of educations.

“This will enable for filtering of their mandates for space related activities to co-ordinate efforts.

“You need to have a strategy for intense,proper promotion of space technology like having exhibitions every six months,” he said.

The highlight of the event were the unveiling of NASRDA’s new logo by Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.

There was also the delivery of studio equipment for Nigerian Science Technology and Innovation Television domiciled in NASRDA. NAN