A Spotlight By Nnolim Nnaji, Member House Of Representatives
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!As Nigeria marks Democracy Day, Enugu State has quietly emerged as one of Nigeria’s safest and fastest-growing economy under Governor Peter Mbah. Three years in, the administration’s narrative is shifting from laying foundations to scaling transformation, anchored on an audacious goal: a $30 billion economy by 2031.
The numbers back the ambition. Enugu’s 2026 budget stands at ₦1.62 trillion, a 66.5% jump from 2025. What’s striking isn’t just the size, but the structure. 80% of the budget, ₦1.296 trillion, is allocated to capital projects, breaking the recurrent-heavy spending pattern that has trapped most Nigerian states. The shift is powered by a surge in internally generated revenue. IGR contributes 51% of the 2026 budget, roughly ₦825.9 billion, cutting the state’s overdependence on federal allocations and giving Enugu more fiscal autonomy to execute its plans.
Security was the first wall Mbah’s team had to break. By tackling insecurity head-on, Enugu has become one of the safest states in the country, a prerequisite for investment. Phase 2 of the state’s surveillance system, budgeted at ₦11 billion, will deploy CCTV and searchlights at bus stops, junctions, and highways, all linked to a central command center. That sense of security has translated directly into investors confidence. In the last three years, Enugu secured over £500 million in foreign direct investment, with another £2 billion in the pipeline. The pitch to investors is simple: internal rate of return projections of 25-40% making Enugu one of the most competitive emerging-market destinations in Nigeria. The result is visible in the rankings, with the state climbing from 36th to 6th in Nigeria’s ease of doing business index. With the proposed coal power generation plant set to come on stream, more FDI inflows are expected.
Infrastructure has been the most visible proof point. The administration is pushing legacy road projects like the 40km Owo–Ubahu–Amankanu–Neke–Ikem Dual Carriageway, the Abakpa Nike–Ugwogo Nike–Ekwegbe–Opi–Nsukka Road, the Amodu–Akpugo–Akpawfu–Amagunze Road, and upgrades of Enugu–Abakaliki Expressway. The 2026 plan targets 1,200 urban roads and numerous rural roads, ensuring every LGA gets a major project. The goal is to eliminate the rural-urban connectivity gap that has stifled trade and access for decades.
Human capital and basic services are getting the same treatment. The 260 Smart Green Primary Schools and 260 Type-2 Primary Health Centers, one per ward, are nearing completion. Water supply is being revamped through the 9th Mile 24/7 Scheme, Ajali, and Oji River projects. These sit alongside a 10,000-hectare smart city development as a mixed-use commercial and residential hub. If delivered, the schools, health centers, and roads address two of Enugu’s longest-standing pain points: education access and connectivity.
The abandoned International Conference Center and the presidential hotel have been completed to position the state as a hub for regional and national events, tourism, and business summits. At the same time, construction of a state-of-the-art specialist hospital is underway to raise the standard of healthcare delivery and reduce medical tourism out of the state. These projects signal a push to build the kind of infrastructure that attracts investors, skilled professionals, and high-value events.
A less discussed but critical pillar is the revamp of ailing state-owned companies. For years, Enugu’s public enterprises existed mostly on paper, draining resources without delivering value. The Mbah administration is restructuring them for commercial viability and private sector participation, turning dormant assets into revenue-generating ventures, creating jobs, and reducing the burden on the state treasury. This aligns with the broader strategy of mobilizing private capital to complement public spending and accelerate GDP growth from the current ∼$4 billion toward the $30 billion target.
The administration’s boldest signal to the world is Enugu Air. Launched to position Enugu as a regional aviation and logistics hub, the airline plans to grow its fleet to 20 aircraft and expand operations beyond Nigeria by the end of 2026. It already connects the South to the North with daily flights between Enugu and Kano. Enugu is no longer content being a transit point. It has become a destination.
Three years in, the Mbah model is clear: spend on capital, not overhead; secure the state, then market it; and use data-driven incentives like high IRR projections to attract private capital. The risk is execution. Delivering 1,200 roads, functional smart schools, a modern hospital, a completed conference center, revived industries, and a functioning airline in one term is a heavy lift. But if even half of it lands, Enugu will have redefined what subnational governance can achieve in Nigeria.
A Spotlight on Enugu State by Nnolim Nnaji, A member of the House of Representatives