At the award ceremony held over the weekend at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Enugu State Geographic Information Service (ENGIS) clinched two coveted recognitions, including the Award of Excellence in Geographic Information Service and the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award, marking a major win for Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

The annual event, organised by the Presidency through the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), celebrates outstanding achievements in innovation, efficiency, and the digital transformation of governance across Nigeria’s public sector.

Driving a Digital Revolution in Land Administration

Under the leadership of Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, its chief executive officer, ENGIS has redefined land administration in Enugu through the deployment of digital mapping, geospatial intelligence, and automated workflows.

Once burdened by bureaucratic bottlenecks and fraudulent practices, the agency has transformed land processing into a transparent, technology-driven system. Notably, the turnaround time for issuing land title documents has dropped from several months, or even years to just 72 hours.

“This recognition validates our commitment to excellence and ease of doing business in Enugu State,” said Nwatu, moments after receiving the awards. “It is a testament to the visionary leadership of Governor Peter Mbah and his relentless pursuit of a digital-first government.”

A Vision Anchored on Technology and Transparency

The reforms championed by ENGIS align with the Mbah administration’s broader goal of positioning Enugu as Nigeria’s innovation capital in governance. Through technology, the state has enhanced efficiency, reduced corruption, and created a friendlier environment for investors.

“The awards are not just about technology; they are about people, processes, and the political will to make governance work,” Nwatu said. “Governor Mbah’s administration continues to leverage digital infrastructure and security to drive transparency and service excellence.”

Recognition for Innovation and Impact

The Presidential GovTech Awards undergo a rigorous evaluation process, selecting only institutions and leaders who have demonstrated measurable impact through the application of digital tools in governance.

Enugu’s double win is thus more than symbolic, it reflects how subnational governments can harness innovation to achieve real change. The BPSR noted that ENGIS’s achievements stood out for “enhancing efficiency, promoting transparency, and strengthening public trust in government systems.”

Setting the Pace for a Smarter Nigeria

Beyond the accolades, Enugu’s digital success story points to a growing shift in Nigeria’s public sector: one that prizes data, innovation, and accountability.

With its latest achievements, the state not only cements its reputation as a model of digital governance but also signals a new era of technology-enabled service delivery that could inspire other states to follow suit.

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.