Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has called for the declaration of a national emergency in Nigeria’s education sector, urging increased investment in education to secure the country’s long-term development and prosperity.
Mbah made the call on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Enugu Education Summit and unveiling the Enugu State Education Policy at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
The summit, themed “Transforming Education for the Future: Leadership, Innovation, Partnership, Financing and Sustainable Reform,” brought together government officials, education experts, development partners and other stakeholders.
Mbah said education must be treated as a national emergency not only in speeches, but through increased budgetary allocations, teacher development, improved infrastructure and stronger partnerships among governments, development agencies, communities and the private sector.
He argued that Nigeria could not achieve sustainable development or effectively tackle poverty without addressing gaps in knowledge, skills and human capacity.
The governor said his administration had allocated 33 per cent of the state’s annual budget to education for three consecutive years, while investing in Smart Green Schools and modern learning infrastructure. The state government said the programme includes 268 Smart Green Schools and more than 7,000 classrooms equipped with 21st-century learning tools.
Mbah said the investments were intended to move Enugu’s education system beyond conventional classroom learning and equip young people with skills needed to participate in a knowledge driven economy.
He also unveiled the Enugu State Education Policy, which he said was already being implemented and would serve as a framework for the state’s education sector over the next six to 10 years.
The governor said the policy was developed as part of a broader attempt to establish a long-term and sustainable direction for education in the state.
Meanwhile, UNICEF commended Enugu State’s investment in Smart Green Schools, teacher development, foundational learning, digital literacy and experiential learning.
UNICEF also acknowledged its support for the development of the Enugu State Education Sector Plan 2026–2035.
UNESCO similarly commended the state’s education initiatives, including the Smart Green Schools, the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), and plans to recruit more than 6,000 teachers.
The British Council also expressed support for the state’s education reforms and pledged continued partnership to improve learning outcomes.
The summit ended with the formal unveiling of the Enugu State Education Policy and a tour of the Smart Green School Innovation Studio, where students showcased projects and innovations.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
