…As ENGIS and Enugu North LGA win national recognition for digital innovation and governance reforms
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Enugu State has reaffirmed its position as a national trailblazer in digital governance and public service innovation under Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, clinching two major honors at the 2025 Nigerian GovTech Awards held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The state’s Enugu Geographical Information System (ENGIS), led by Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, received the Award of Excellence in Geographic Information Service, acknowledging its remarkable strides in digital mapping, land administration, and geospatial intelligence.
The recognition comes less than a year after Governor Mbah signed the Enugu State Geographic Information System Service Bill into law in March 2024, and subsequently commissioned the digital platform on December 16, 2024.
Since its establishment, ENGIS has transformed the landscape of land administration in Enugu State—reducing the processing time for land title documents from months to just 48 hours, digitizing land records, and drastically curbing the menace of land grabbing and disputes.
Experts have described ENGIS as one of the most efficient and innovative agencies under the Mbah administration, aligning perfectly with the governor’s vision of using technology to deliver transparent, accountable, and efficient governance.
Speaking with journalists shortly after receiving the award, the Managing Director of ENGIS, Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, dedicated the recognition to Governor Mbah, describing him as a visionary reformer who has empowered state agencies to deliver world-class services.
> “This award is a reflection of Governor Mbah’s leadership and foresight. His policies have provided the direction and support that made it possible for us to embrace innovation, work smarter, and serve the people of Enugu more efficiently,” Nwatu said.
He also commended the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) under the Presidency for its commitment to recognizing institutions driving effective public service delivery across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, in another notable category, Enugu North Local Government Area emerged as the Digital Local Government of the Year, under the leadership of Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh.
The local government was celebrated for pioneering several technology-driven projects, including a Shop Allocation Management System, an Automated Revenue Collection Portal, and a fully functional official website—initiatives that have enhanced transparency, efficiency, and grassroots engagement.
Responding to the honor, Dr. Onoh expressed gratitude to the Presidency and attributed the achievement to the guiding vision of Governor Mbah’s “Tomorrow is Here” agenda, which promotes digital transformation across all levels of government.
> “This award is both a recognition and a challenge to do more. Governor Mbah’s innovative policies have inspired us to embrace technology as a tool for efficient governance and improved service delivery,” he said.
> “We will continue to introduce more technology-driven projects that make governance closer to the people and strengthen trust between the government and citizens,” he added.
The Nigerian GovTech Awards, organized annually by the Presidency through the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, celebrates excellence, innovation, and the transformative use of technology within Nigeria’s public sector.
This year’s edition spotlighted Enugu State’s growing reputation as a model for digital transformation, transparency, and good governance, earning the state widespread commendation from industry experts, technocrats, and the general public.
Observers say Enugu’s consistent investment in technology-driven reforms continues to position it as one of Nigeria’s most progressive states, where innovation meets governance to improve lives and attract sustainable development.