By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State is redefining governance and setting new standards in public administration less than three years into his tenure, the Convener of the COUNTRYFIRST Movement, Prof. Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr, has said.

In a statement, Nwaokobia noted that through innovation, technology, fiscal discipline, and bold reforms, Governor Mbah is transforming Enugu from a predominantly civil service economy into a productive, technology-driven hub of inclusive growth.

At the centre of Mbah’s development vision is the ambitious plan to grow the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years, guided by a detailed blueprint focused on infrastructure, innovation, and human capital development.

Analysts have described his leadership style as result-oriented and data-driven, earning him praise for introducing “disruptive innovation” in governance. The Enugu Geographic Information Service (ENGIS) has digitised more than 80 percent of land titles, cutting approval times from months to days and eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks previously linked to corruption.

Water Supply and Infrastructure

Mbah’s administration has addressed a two-decade water crisis that left residents dependent on tankers and boreholes. The revival of the 9th Mile and Oji River water schemes has increased production from about two million litres per day to over 120 million litres.

Fiscal reforms have also been impactful. Enugu’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rose from ₦37 billion in 2022 to ₦144.7 billion by late 2024—an almost 300 percent increase—achieved without imposing new taxes. Instead, the government expanded the tax net, automated revenue collection, and formalised small businesses.

Education and Healthcare

The state is constructing 260 Smart Green Schools—one in each ward—equipped with digital whiteboards, robotics laboratories, and high-speed internet. Likewise, 260 modern Primary Health Centres are being built or upgraded to expand access to quality healthcare, especially in rural areas.

Urban Renewal and Power Sector Reform

Urban development has gained momentum with the 10,000-hectare New Enugu City Project—a smart, sustainable metropolis designed to house over 300,000 residents, complete with integrated residential, commercial, and green zones.

Enugu is also among the first states to domesticate Nigeria’s power decentralization policy through the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, enabling it to regulate its own electricity market. An AI-powered Command and Control Centre equipped with drones and CCTV surveillance has further enhanced security across the state.

Fiscal Discipline and Industrial Growth

Under Governor Mbah’s fiscal discipline regime, capital expenditure has risen to 79 percent of the 2024 budget, which stands at ₦521.5 billion—up from ₦166 billion in 2023.

Agriculture and industry are receiving renewed investment through mechanised farm estates, revival of agro-industries such as United Palm Products Ltd. and Sunrise Flour Mills, and plans for industrial parks and a tractor-assembly plant.

Transportation and Digital Transformation

The state has launched Enugu Air to boost transportation, while also developing modern terminals and deploying compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses to improve mobility.

Digital transformation remains central to Mbah’s reforms. Over 380 kilometres of fibre-optic cables have been laid across the state, while e-governance platforms for land titling, business registration, and taxation have significantly improved service delivery.

Looking Ahead

As Mbah enters his third year in office, his administration plans to consolidate ongoing reforms, expand job creation through industrial estates and logistics hubs, and attract more private and foreign investments.

Observers say his pragmatic, performance-driven leadership has earned him a reputation as a “Talk-and-Do” governor, with Enugu now ranking among Nigeria’s most efficiently governed and investor-friendly states.

Mbah’s transformative agenda, analysts add, is fast becoming a model for effective, results-oriented governance in Nigeria.