Held at the International Conference Centre, the Conference revealed Enugu State’s full-scale launch into regulatory revolution to bolster the gaming sector, while being at the fore.

The State has its focus on digital infrastructure, ethical clarity, and inter-agency collaborations, not waiting for federal alignment, but building its own to thrive without limitations.

The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) delivered a keynote, warning that Nigeria’s decentralised regulatory space would collapse without shared standards for privacy, security, and accountability.

“Effective data is the backbone of engagement and revenue. With this rise in interdependency comes heightened risk of violent intent, financial fraud, unauthorised profiling and child exploitation,” Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner/CEO, NDPC, represented by Alexander Onwe, officer at the Commission.

The NDPC offered capacity-building partnerships and proposed a sector-specific compliance framework for the gaming industry. It also urged the Governor of Enugu to formalise collaboration with the Commission under President Tinubu’s National Digital Economy Policy.

“If we want a future where the Nigerian gaming industry thrives globally, we must build it on privacy, compliance and regulatory unity. In this digital age, trust is the new currency.”

Also speaking at the conference, Executive Secretary of the Enugu Gaming and Lotto Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, said, “We must be honest with ourselves. The Nigerian gaming industry is at a critical juncture. The conversations are no longer just about enforcement. They are now about jurisdiction, innovation, technology, cross-border collaborations and, most important, structure.”

Arum emphasised that centralised control had failed, and that state-level innovation and regulation must rise to meet current complexities. He highlighted that over half of Nigerian states don’t even have a gaming commission, allowing for extortionate practices under the guise of enforcement.

“Effective regulation is not just a legal mandate. It is an enabler of innovation, investment and public trust.”

Industry Speaks: Too Many Laws, Not Enough Clarity

At breakout sessions and panels, operators, developers, and legal experts stress that:

• Multiple licensing requirements across states are crippling operational efficiency.
• Some regulators are unaware of current CAC document standards or outdated EFCC compliance practices.
• In Imo State, gaming companies were fined ₦110 million by the environmental agency over “gaseous emissions”, a charge totally unrelated to their line of business.
• There’s still rampant illegal betting, worsened by lack of coordination and weak digital oversight.

Industry experts called for:

• A central compliance portal for gaming firms to submit documents to EFCC, NDPC, FIRS, etc.
• Pre-warning systems for regulatory breaches instead of first-strike penalties.
• A unified API and CMS standard for state monitoring systems to reduce tech duplication and regulatory fragmentation.

Responsible Gaming and Social Protection

A dedicated panel on responsible gaming noted how much more Nigeria needs to do. Stakeholders stressed that public education, addiction services, and data-driven self-exclusion systems were all lacking.

Prince Arum revealed that a Responsible Gaming Law was recently passed by the State House of Assembly and would soon be implemented. However, he warned:

“Responsible gaming must not be seen as a new avenue to tax the industry. It should be about clear objectives and genuine player protection.”

Experts also called for:

• Use of AI to monitor harmful player patterns;
• State-funded campaigns similar to the UK’s GambleAware;
• Creation of a national exclusion registry shared across operators and states.

What’s Next: A Five-Year View

Looking at what’s next, industry leaders identified that the sector can’t thrive without economic stability.

“If disposable income continues to fall, gaming will be seen less as entertainment and more as survival—which erodes trust and damages perception.”

The sector is hopeful that a centralised multi-state licensing regime, led by the Federation of State Gaming Regulators, will be fully operational within a year.

In closing, Arum said: “The future of Nigeria’s gaming landscape will not be built by passive observers. It will be shaped by those in this room, those who recognise that compliance and innovation are not in conflict.”

In less than two years, this metropolitan city has been recast as a dynamic hub of industry, innovation, and investment.

A Bold Vision, Executed with Precision

When Mbah took office in May 2023, he inherited a state with a $4.4 billion GDP heavily reliant on federal allocations.

His response was decisive: a promise to elevate Enugu’s economy to $30 billion within eight years, anchored in concrete reforms that would end the era of red tape.

Within weeks, Executive Order 005 mandated transparency across MDAs, requiring published service-level agreements that laid bare costs, timelines, and responsibilities.

Infrastructure Unleashed: Roads, Water, and Power

Mbah turned Enugu into a construction sandbox. Over 732 roads, a record-breaking feat, now weave through urban and rural areas, unlocking new zones for agriculture, real estate, and logistics. At the same time, water production rose from 2 million to 120 million litres daily by reviving the 9th Mile and Oji River schemes.

He also signed the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023 and operationalised the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission, fuelling industrial zones with consistent energy supply and inviting private sector participation in power generation.

Digital Foundations and Business-Friendly Reforms

From the outset, Mbah recognized that modern economies require modern systems. Over 300 kilometres of roads and nearly 380,000 metres of fibre optic cables now criss–cross the city, supporting AI-enabled command-and-control centres for security and surveillance, complete with facial recognition and number-plate tracking.

Enugu’s land administration was similarly transformed: through the Enugu Geographic Information Services (ENGIS) over 80% of land titles were digitised, slashing processing times to 72 hours and eliminating corruption-prone delays.

Meanwhile, tax reforms, including a unified electronic filing system, produced a 286% surge in internally generated revenue, reaching ₦144.7 billion by September 2024.

Reviving Industry: From Legacy Firms to New Investment Parks

In a move signaling industrial ambition, Enugu is reviving dormant giants such as Sunrise Flour Mills, United Palm Produce Ltd., and Nigergas Ltd.

These legacy players are finding new life, alongside the development of Lion Business Park, a Free Trade and Industrial Zone set to anchor private investment and job creation.

Moreover, the New Enugu City Project, spanning 10,000 hectares, is envisioned as a smart city integrating residential zones, medical centres, innovation parks, and efficient public transport systems, powered by smart utility grids and high-speed connectivity.

Education, Health, Agriculture: Building the Future Workforce

Governor Mbah has prioritized long-term growth by transforming the human capital ecosystem. His administration commissioned 260 Smart Green Schools, integrating ICT, robotics, and AI resources in every ward to prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Health reforms include 260 state-of-the-art primary healthcare centers, accessible even in remote areas.

In agriculture, Enugu signed MoUs to harness over 7,000 hectares at Ugwujoro, Nimbo, focusing on commercial farming and agro-processing as components of GDP expansion and job creation.

Security, Logistics, and Regional Integration

Security received a tech-driven overhaul with the launch of the Distress Response Squad, AI surveillance vehicles, and thousands of CCTV cameras, making Enugu one of Nigeria’s most securitized states.

Logistically, the state is building mega transport hubs in Nsukka, Garki, and Ogbete, alongside planning truck terminals, a dry port, and an enhanced Enugu Airport cargo terminal. In transport innovation, CNG mass transit and electric buses are set to revitalize intra-state movement and reduce emissions.

Enugu’s Renaissance: No Longer Just a Civil Servants State

Governor Peter Mbah’s tenure marks a radical departure from Enugu’s perception as a sleepy, bureaucratic state.

His disruptive strategies, economic, infrastructural, and digital, are reshaping Enugu into an industrial epicentre poised for trade, manufacturing, and innovation.

Once constrained by dependence on federal allocations, Enugu now pilfers investor confidence, industry, and opportunity, laying bold claim to its fate as a South East mega‑economy and investment destination.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Inclusive Economic Transformation

As Mbah charts Enugu’s course from “Civil Servants State” to Industrial and Investment Hub, his model combines visionary thinking with operational rigor.

By fusing transparency reforms, infrastructure scale-up, legacy industry revival, and human capital investment, his administration is writing a new chapter in Enugu’s development story.

If sustained, Governor Mbah’s industrial vision may not only reshape Enugu, at a GDP of $30 billion and counting, it may redefine the future of state-led growth across Nigeria.

The signing ceremony, which took place on Friday, 19th January 2024, at the Government House in Enugu, had in attendance the Governor of Enugu State, the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney General, Commissioners for Investments and Trade, Tourism, Youths and Sports, other top government officials and representatives of the Del-York Group, amongst others.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Peter Mbah, the governor of the State, expressed his excitement for the project and the partnership with Del-York Group, describing it as a game- changer for the State.

He remarked:

“We are on a mission to make Enugu State a preferred destination for investment and this project signals the triumph of the investment spirit of the State. Working with our strategic Joint Venture partners the Del-York Group, we will achieve our mandate of becoming the investment capital of Nigeria. We are wholeheartedly committed to providing all the necessary support alongside creating an enabling environment to make the project a resounding success.”

“We have a rich heritage of Sports and Entertainment of which Enugu has undoubtedly produced some of Nigeria’s sporting legends and is known as the home of entertainment. We cannot use the solutions of the past to solve the problems of the future. This is why we are deliberate in using our strengths- our history, talent and passion in sports and entertainment; to drive Enugu State towards a strong, resilient and prosperous tomorrow,” he added.

The 042 Arena and Entertainment Park, at its core, will feature state-of-the-art facilities that caters to the training and developments needs of athletes of different categories, from the amateurs in youth programs, to the more established international professionals.

This all- inclusive facility will also provide modern event spaces accommodating to athletes and spectators alike.

In addition to sport-specific venues and training facilities, the Enugu State development will contain athlete housing, a physical therapy and sports medicine center, and a performance center focused on the specific strength, conditioning, and nutritional needs of top athletes.

The development will also incorporate training programs in related disciplines like sports medicine, sports marketing, and athlete agency to support the new generation of athletes and international competitions.

The project will introduce a comprehensive ecosystem essential for the development and growth of the entertainment industry in Enugu State.

By leveraging the vibrant legacy of the industry, this project will create a thriving center that fosters collaboration, innovation, and the entertainment.

The project is expected to create thousands of jobs for the people of Enugu State and attract investors and a surge of tourists to the State.

It will also provide a platform for the youth to showcase their talents, promoting sports and youth development in the State and the entire South-East region.

Dr. Linus Idahosa, the CEO of Del-York Group, also expressed his company’s commitment to delivering a world-class sports and entertainment hub that will be a heritage for Enugu State and the South Eastern region as a whole.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration through Public Private Partnerships in the development of projects that deliver immense value to the people at the grassroot.

He mentioned:

“We understand and embrace the power of sports and the creative arts as unifiers and as vehicles for economic development for Enugu State. This vision was the inspiration for this transformational project- a Public Private Partnership between the Enugu State Government, Del-York Group and other strategic partners. We believe that building on the strengths of Enugu, and placing the rich heritage of sports and entertainment within the State at the epicenter of its development strategy, the possibilities of the future are limitless.”

With this development, Enugu State is set to become a major destination for sports and entertainment in Nigeria and West Africa. This laudable undertaking holds so much potential in driving the State’s investment goals.

Mbah stressed his administration’s determination to ensure that the poorest child in the remotest parts of Enugu State receives world-class education using tools of the 21st century.

The governor made the declarations in his keynote address at the 19th convocation of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Agbani, on Saturday, where 9,017 graduants received various first and higher degrees.

Mbah, who is also a Visitor to the university, said the most radical changes in education under his administration would take place in the area of basic education.

“In my view, education is probably our greatest weapon in our war against poverty in the medium to long run.

“It is for this reason that education is at the core of the strategy, which we envisage will see us boost our GDP from the current levels of about $4.4 billion to at least $30 billion by the end of 2031.

“This is why we have designed and are implementing a most revolutionary strategy to revamp the current educational system. This revamp will be extensive and exhaustive, ranging from the basic schools through secondary to tertiary institutions like ESUT.

“There will be changes not only in the curricula, but also in the models for delivering knowledge in our educational institutions. The most radical change will take place in our basic schools where our children spend the first nine years schooling.

“Therefore, in 2024, we will be spending close to 30 per cent of our state budget on education, well above the recommended international benchmark”, the governor said.

The governor said his administration had completed the construction of one smart school, awarded contract for the construction of another nine, while 250 more would be constructed in less than 14 months to cover the entire 260 wards, adding that teachers for the pilot model school were already undergoing training by global experts.

“These smart schools will each be equipped with internet access, solar power, a centre for robotics and artificial intelligence, a modern ICT centre, two well-equipped laboratories for primary school and junior secondary school, a studio for creative production, 25 inclusive classrooms, with interactive digital whiteboard, android tablets for pupils’ use, among others”, he explained.

He commended the ESUT management for some steps already being taken to align with government’s vision for tertiary education in the state.

Speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Alloysius-Michaels Okolie, commended Mbah for the laudable vision for education in the state and great support to ESUT since the governor’s assumption of office. He said the ESUT management was repositioning the institution in line with the governor’s educational vision and policies.

The convocation also saw the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on some distinguished Nigerians, including the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Osagie Okunbor, Group Managing Director of Afrivest West Africa Ltd, Ike Chioke, the foremost estate developer, Surv Ugochukwu Chime, and recognitions and cash awards to outstanding student-led by the best graduating student, Miss Barbara Ijeoma Ikeonyia.