Industry watchers described the development as a significant step in the realisation of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision  to position Enugu as a regional hub for commerce, logistics, and aviation in West and Central Africa.

Presenting the AOC to Captain Tolu Ita, Enugu Air’s accountable manager/ CEO, at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, headquarters in Abuja, Captain Chris Najomo, the agency’s director general, described the developed as historic in the Nigerian aviation industry, noting that Enugu Air successfully completed the rigorous certification process in just five months and three weeks, significantly faster than the typical industry timeline of 15 to 24 months.

According to the Captain Njomo, the fully state-owned airline also distinguished itself by commencing operations with a complete fleet of six aircraft, which he said was a rare feat for a newly certified airline in the country.

The DG emphasised that the certification process involved extensive evaluation across multiple NCAA departments and confirmed that Enugu Air had met all regulatory requirements, demonstrating full compliance with Nigeria’s aviation safety and operational standards.

He commended the vision and leadership of Governor Mbah, describing the speed and discipline with which the airline project was executed as evidence of purposeful governance.

The DG also acknowledged the dedication of the Enugu State team and urged the airline’s management to continue maintaining the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

In her remarks, the Accountable Manager/CEO of Enugu Air, Captain Tolu, expressed appreciation to Governor Mbah for the vision of Enugu Air and also commended him for creating the enabling environment and providing the leadership support that made the record-breaking certification possible.

While thanking NCAA for the professionalism and support shown throughout the certification process, she reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to building a reliable, efficient, and globally competitive carrier that would serve passengers with the highest standards of safety and service.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, Dr. Obi Ozor, stressed that Enugu Air remained a strategic component of Governor Mbah’s broader transport and logistics transformation agenda aimed at unlocking economic opportunities across Enugu State, the wider South-East region, and Africa.

He noted that the airline would grow its fleet to 20 aircraft and also commence regional operations before the end of 2026, playing a critical role in connecting Enugu to key domestic and international markets and facilitating trade, tourism, investment, and mobility.

He commended Enugu Air’s operating partner, XEJet Limited, for its role in guiding the airline through the rigorous regulatory certification process required for the issuance of the Air Operator Certificate.

Speaking, Emmanuel Iza, the group chief executive o`fficer of XEJet Limited, who congratulated the airline for the feat, expressed pride in the Enugu Air/XEJET Limited partnership that produced the result.

“This milestone demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships between government and the commercial aviation sector in advancing air transport development,” Iza stated.

On his part, Barrister Ricky Agu, the board chairman of Enugu Air, assured the NCAA that the state government would continue to provide the support required to ensure that Enugu Air operates at world-class standards.

The AOC presentation was witnessed by senior aviation regulators and other members of the Enugu State delegation, including the Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Iphie Ugonabo, and members of the airline’s management team.

The announcement came on Thursday inside the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Enugu, where Mr. Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, the commissioner for Budget and Planning, addressed journalists.

With the calm confidence of someone unveiling a crucial piece of Enugu’s future, he explained that the allocation is embedded in the state’s ambitious 2026 budget.

Just days earlier, on December 2, Governor Peter Mbah had walked into the Enugu State House of Assembly to present what many have called a historic financial roadmap, a ₦1.62 trillion budget, aptly titled the “Budget of Renewed Momentum.”

That budget has since become the talk of the South East. Not only is it the largest ever proposed in the region, it represents a 66.5% jump from the revised ₦971 billion 2025 budget. It also signals a clear priority shift: ₦1.3 trillion, or 80%, is dedicated to capital expenditure, roads, schools, infrastructure, innovation, while ₦321.2 billion goes to recurrent spending.

At the press briefing, Ozongwu underscored that the investment in the new railway is more than a line item; it is a statement of intent.

Enugu, he said, is preparing for a future where the ease of moving people, goods, and opportunities becomes a catalyst for prosperity.

And with the state committing its own resources to the rail project, the stage is set for what could become one of the most significant infrastructure transformations in Enugu’s recent history.

Breaking it down to journalists, Ozongwu said the rail project was in keeping with Governor Mbah’s campaign promise to evolve a multimodal transport system incorporating rail, tram and inland water services to complement existing road transportation in the state.

The rail project is also designed to terminate at doorsteps of the neighbouring states for easy continuation to enhance connectivity, especially among the South East States.

In the same vein, the government also plans to add additional 14 aircraft to increase the fleet of the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, to 20 planes by the end of 2025.

He explained that Enugu Air, which launched in July 2025 with three aircraft, had been quite lucrative, noting that the government had concluded plans to add three planes to the airline’s current fleet to bring it to six before the end of the year.

Other planned key expenditures in the transport in the coming year include a ₦10bn equity contribution to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport concession in line with Governor Mbah’s vision to make Enugu a West African regional aviation and logistics hub.

Ozongwu added that the government had also earmarked another ₦10bn for vehicle manufacturing programme that would see the state procure and have assembled in Enugu a total of 2,100 taxis for the administration’s youth empowerment scheme and the Distress Response Squad, DRS, the state’s special police unit.

He said the government was confident that the 2026 budget would outperform the 2025 budget, adding that Mbah runs the state with a private sector mentality.

He added that the allocation of 51.1 per cent and 40.1 per cent of the total budget to the economic sector and social sector, respectively, underscored the administration’s commitment to private sector-driven economic growth and human development.

“Human life is one of improvements. We achieved about 85 per cent of our performance and it is almost likely that we will continue in that same trajectory to move this state to 90 per cent performance.

“We have the indices to do that. We have the personnel, the acumen and ready to raise the money to do that. Expect better performance next year.

“So, something is going on in this state. It is a feel-good factor. Come to Enugu and invest because your investment is going to be protected, your returns are going to be wonderful. Join us and be part of this success story,” he said.

The meeting, which was at the instance of my good friend, brother and perhaps one of Nigeria’s best media relations guru, Uche Anichukwu, held at the Abuja Transcorp Hilton.

Present at the meeting was also my good friend Ifeanyi Ossai, then deputy governor-elect of Enugu state. For many years,

I have been deeply connected to the political leadership of Enugu state to the extent that the state has become my second ‘’state of origin’’. And in these years, I have come to appreciate a leadership value system that is firmly hinged on a deep connection between the political leaders and the people of Enugu state.

In my close interaction with leading lights of Enugu state such as former Governor Ifeanyi Uguwanyi, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekwerenmadu, former house of representative members Patrick Asadu and Toby Okechukwu among many others, I have come to the realization that if there is one state in Nigeria where democracy is truly work in progress then it is my second home state.

But throughout my years of involvement in Enugu affairs, I never met Peter Mbah, who by then was busy carving a niche in the ecosystem of Nigeria’s organized private as a leading player in the oil and gas industry as the chairman of Pinnacle until the Abuja meeting.

At the meeting, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, a lawyer, business man and politician who previously served as chief of staff in the administration of former governor Chimaroke Nnamani, in a very calm, composed and stoic mien, took us through his vision for the state.

In fact, he reiterated his campaign promises including the creation of a 30billion dollar economy, resuscitation of urban water supply, ending sit at home, upgrading of health facilities and most importantly the building of smart schools to usher Enugu children into a future that is today.

Listening keenly to this gentleman, I saw a serous minded man who means the business of governance.

Satisfied that Peter Mbah knew exactly what he wanted to do as governor, I decided to quip in a little suggestion on the need for him to run a government that should be inclusive of all Nigerians resident in the state irrespective of ethnicity and religion, especially given the fact that Enugu was the former regional capital of the old Eastern Region.

I specifically made this suggestion to the incoming governor, because of the widespread perception that the Igbo people of Nigeria are not accommodating of other groups as they are accommodated outside their eastern heartland home region and this issue is often weaponized against individual politicians seeking the highest office in the land from one of Nigeria’s most important sections.

As I made this appeal, Governor Peter Mbah, an otherwise straight-faced man with an expressionless mien, let out a smile of appreciation without saying a word. Little did I know that I was preaching Catholicism to the Bishop of Rome.

The recent controversy surrounding the abandonment of a multi-billion naira contract for the construction of Governor Mbah’s smart schools across the state, which was awarded to Olasijibomi Ogundele, a Lagos based Yoruba property developer has clearly revealed Peter Mbah as a detribalized pan Nigerian nationalist who is leading and living out the vision of the Great Zik of Africa of one united Nigerian nation of citizens away from a fractured country of disunited tribesmen.

After all it all began in 1952, when Nnamdi Azikiwe’s NCNC party threw up Mallam Umaru Altine, a Hausa speaking Muslim from northern Nigeria, who was resident in Enugu city as the Mayor of the regional capital of the Nigeria’s Igbo homeland; a feat in national integration that has remained a reference point in national unity for more than half a century.

This commentary is not about the business dispute between Brethren Olasijibomi Ogundele and Enugu state government but more about the fact that Governor Peter Mbah has shattered the myth or if you like the fallacy and falsehood about Ndigbo not being accommodating of others as they want others to accommodate them.

By entrusting some of his most important project in the hands of ‘’others’’ Governor Mbah’s action has clearly vindicated the Igbo people of Nigeria and rebranded their image as a people who truly believe in the philosophy of ‘’Nwanne di na Mbah’’ [a brethren can be found in foreign land].

Interestingly, Olasijibomi Ogundele is not the first and only beneficiary of Enugu state government patronage within the context of this commentary.

Recently, the Governor commissioned five ultra-modern bus terminals in Enugu state as part of his administration’s transportation master plan to provide affordable and seamless interconnectivity across the state’s major towns and city centre. Four of those terminals were constructed by Planets Projects; a Lagos based construction whose major promoter is Eng Biodun Otunola.

The modern Oshodi Bus terminal in Lagos was constructed by this firm. Similarly, the multi-billion naira Enugu state Command and Control Centre, which is reported to be the biggest in Nigeria with AI-enabled surveillance cameras across the state vide fibre optic cables, was built by Hajaraisan Nig LTD.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company is Aminu Uba Miko, an indigene of Kano state, while Ibrahim Shehu from Jigawa state was engaged to develop the Enugu State Vehicles’ Identification System Software.

And XEJET, the operator of the recently launched Enugu Enugu Air; an Enugu state owned airline was founded by Emmanuel Izah from Kogi state.

The good thing about these engagements is that they were competitively bided for but the Yoruba or Hausa ethnicities of Enugu state government’s preferred bidders did not limit or diminish their chances of winning the contract in Peter Mbah’s Enugu.

Just as Planets Project has a track record in transport infrastructure construction and management, so does Olasijibomi’s Sujimoto Property construction firm have a solid track record as pioneers of smart buildings in Africa.

That the Enugu state government has taking steps to sanction Olasijibomi Ogundele clearly shows that Governor Mbah has no incestuous relationship with the young man and that his engagement was purely based on the belief that he can deliver on the job.

Away from these few cases amongst many others, Governor Mbah in making strategic appointments in Enugu state has demonstrated the oneness of Nigeria, where the principles of inclusion, equity and justice reigns supreme.

The Managing Director of Enugu state Broadcasting Service is Ladi Akeredolu-Ale, a veteran broadcaster from Ondo state, while the man helping Governor Peter Mbah to drive his vision for available, accessible and affordable healthcare is Dr Yomi Jaye, his Special Adviser on Health Matters.

To boost the IGR of the state, Governor Mbah hired Adenike Okebu as his Senior Special Assistant on Revenue. While Alh Abubakar Yusuf Sambo serves as the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, the Commander of Enugu Forest Guard is Olamitisoji Akinbamilayo, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police who served in the Enugu state Command.

The retired DCP was in charge of operations when Governor Mbah directed the full implementation of the ban on sit-at-home and other violent activities by miscreants. For his meritorious service to the state, DCP Akinbamilayo was retained by the state as part of its security management team.

Peter Mbah’s Enugu state is the Nigeria of our dreams. And when the Igbo people of Nigeria are accused wrongly, they should point in the direction of Peter Mbah’s Enugu State.

Like I have consistently maintained, Nigerians are essentially one people and the various ethnic groupings are simply members of the same family that are living in different parts of the family compound.

A movement from one part of the family compound to another should not render a member of the family an outsider inside his/her family compound.

This is called citizenship. And as citizens of Nigeria, we should be free to reside in any part of the federation without the dichotomy of ‘’indigene and settler’’ wherein one’s ethnicity can enhance or diminish access to state provision and protection.

The fundamental condition preceding national development and security of any sovereign entity is the social cohesion, national integration and unity of the constituent peoples. Now we know why Peter Mbah’s Enugu State is working progressively.

*Dahiru is an Abuja-based public affairs analyst

Historic Launch by Governor Peter Mbah

The airline was formally launched on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, in a ceremony led by Governor Peter Mbah, alongside Festus Keyamo, the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Governor Mbah hailed the launch as “a giant leap for the state” and a “gold standard for public-private sector partnership,” noting that “Enugu Air has given more wings to our dreams, and today we take that first flight together”.

Fleet & Initial Routes

Enugu Air commenced operations with a fleet of three Embraer E170 and E190 series aircraft, chosen for their comfort, efficiency, and suitability to regional markets.

The airline initially established a “golden triangle” of connectivity, linking Enugu to Abuja and Lagos, with early expansion plans to include Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other strategic Nigerian cities.

Our correspondent sighted a commercial which reads:

“A very welcome to you, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, from the flight deck. This is your captain.

“On behalf of the entire management staff of Enugu Air, operated by XEJET, we warmly welcome you on board our Ejet aircraft, precisely and by E190 and E170.

“This is to inform you all that will be commencing flight operations into the beautiful city of Owerri. We’re looking forward to having you all on board. Do look out for seamless flight operations. Thanks for your time”.

Although, the TVC didn’t indicate the exact date and flight schedules from Enugu to Owerri, however, an insider source confirmed to Techeconomy that all has been put in place for the swift commencement of flight to the Heartland City.

Economic Impact: Boosting Enugu’s GDP

Governor Mbah’s administration positioned Enugu Air as a cornerstone of its integrated transport strategy, aimed at transforming Enugu into a regional aviation hub.

The operation is expected to:

• Enhance connectivity between major cities, facilitating business travel and tourism.
• Stimulate trade and mobility, particularly benefiting southeast Nigeria’s economic integration.
• Create jobs across aviation, logistics, tourism, and airport services.
• Attract investment by positioning Enugu as a premier destination for commerce and enterprise.

Festus Keyamo urged that Enugu Air should avoid the fate of the old Nigerian Airways, encouraging professional management, punctuality, and operational discipline, a vital prescription for sustaining economic gains.

Back Page:

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, born on March 17, 1972, has been serving as the Governor of Enugu State since May 29, 2023. A maritime lawyer and financial analyst by background, he has emphasized innovation, infrastructure, and public-private partnership throughout his tenure.

On Monday, Enugu Air officially took to the skies. But its story began long before the ribbon-cutting, inside boardrooms, across tarmacs, and through countless shuttles between Enugu and Abuja.

At the center of it all: Governor Peter Mbah, a man determined to turn his state into Nigeria’s next aviation hub.

From the moment he took office, Mbah had made one thing clear, business as usual wouldn’t cut it. Even before Mr. Festus Keyamo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, could settle into his new role, the governor was already knocking.

“He was relentless,” Keyamo recalled during the grand launch. “Every week, he was in Abuja, pushing, pressing, determined. At one point, I asked, ‘Do you want Enugu to explode with progress?’”

Mbah’s unyielding pursuit paid off. With three Embraer jets, Enugu Air now connects the state to Lagos, Abuja, and soon, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Benin, and other major cities. And this is only phase one. Phase two? Africa. China. Europe. The U.S.

In Mbah’s own words:

“We are not stopping.”

Keyamo, who cut the ribbon beside the governor, didn’t mince words.

“Dr. Peter Mbah is an incredible, performing governor,” he said. “Though he’s PDP and I’m APC, we must speak the truth. If he continues like this, he’ll be very difficult to defeat in 2027. We’re already afraid.”

But the fanfare wasn’t just about politics, it was about purpose. For Governor Mbah, Enugu Air is a symbol of more than state pride.

It is a tool for development, job creation, connectivity, and investment.

“This airline isn’t just about flying,” he said. “It’s about opening Enugu to the world, creating faster, more reliable access to markets, clients, and capital. It’s a gateway to opportunity.”

The airline will be run by XEJet, a fully Nigerian-owned aviation company that already manages the national carrier for Sierra Leone. Their partnership, praised by the Minister as “a model for the Renewed Hope Agenda,” represents what Mbah calls “private-sector energy for public good.”

Beyond the airline, Mbah has plans for the airport itself. Even before Enugu Air took off, he approached the federal government about involving private investment in the management of Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

“He wasn’t content to wait for bureaucracy,” Keyamo said. “He wants Enugu’s airport to match global standards, and he’s making it happen.”

The event drew a wave of dignitaries, stakeholders, and citizens, each drawn by the rare blend of vision and velocity that has become the Mbah signature.

Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD of Fidelity Bank, and Engr. Ayuba Emmanuel, CEO of XEJet, called the governor “a courageous, visionary leader,” pledging their continued support.

In a final flourish, the skies above Enugu filled with the roar of engines and the cheers of hopeful citizens. For many, it was a spectacle. For the governor, it was the start of something far more enduring.

“This is not the end,” Mbah said with a confident smile. “This is just the takeoff.”

According to the state government, Enugu Air is part of Governor Peter Mbah Administration’s integrated blueprint for a modern, multimodal transport ecosystem and vision to make Enugu a major aviation hub.

In the statement signed by Dr. Obi Ozor, the commissioner for Transportation, the government said that the launch of Enugu Air would take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, as the special guest of Honour, among other dignitaries.

“Enugu Air will take off with an initial fleet of three Embraer aircraft, E170 and E190 series, selected for their efficiency, comfort, and adaptability to the regional market.

“The inaugural routes will establish a ‘golden triangle’ with Enugu at its core, connecting Abuja and Lagos and subsequently extending to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other strategic cities across Nigeria and beyond.

“The airline will be operated by Xejet, a 100 per cent Nigerian-owned aviation company renowned for its expertise, safety record, and operational excellence.

“With a strong foundation of innovation and sustainability, we are ready to redefine air travel, instill pride, and elevate Enugu’s prominence on the national and global stage.

“Let the countdown begin—Enugu Air is ready for takeoff,” Ozor said.

The government has also approved the development of the state’s tourism industry, while total transformation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village will start in June to get them ready for the National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2026.

These were made known by Dr. Obi Ozor, the commissioner for Transportation; Dame Ugochi Madueke, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, and Engr. Gerald Otiji, commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; and Mr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Enugu, at the weekend.

Briefing Government House Correspondents, Ozor said,

“We are starting off with the initial three aircraft and two of the aircraft are already on ground. The third one will be on ground by the end of this month. We are hoping to start the commercial operations before the second year anniversary of this administration.

“You have also seen buses for the mass transit programme across the state. 50 of them are already parked at Okpara Square, and an additional 50 will be joining that fleet in the next few weeks. The 100 of them will be going into commercial operations before the end of this month, which is the second year anniversary.

“Also, the bus terminals, two at Holy Ghost, one each at Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, will also be commissioned and go into commercial operations before the 29th of May, this year.”

He added that the government planned to bring in the electric and CNG automotive manufacturing plant into Enugu as well as launch in the next 150 days the Enugu Smart Transport Programme, which would see to the injection of over 2,000 electric vehicles.

Also briefing newsmen, Dame Madueke said funds would be invested in the tourism industry in phases.

“We are going to have it in phases. For the first phase, we are having Awhum Waterfall, Nsude Pyramid where we are going to have the first canopy walkway in the South East. It measures about 600 metres, which will actually be the longest in Nigeria.

“We also have Ngwo Pine Forest where we are having the first zipline in Nigeria. The zipline will measure about 300 metres. In the same Ngwo, we will have a big rotunda and a smaller rotunda. We have the Cross of Hope to be located at Okpatu. The Cross of Hope will be sitting 580 metres above sea level and the cross itself will measure about 50 metres, making it a total of about 630 metres above sea level. The cross will have about 15 floors with a lift.

“At Awhum Waterfalls, we are going to have another canopy walkway and a boardwalk to preserve the ecosystem.

“We equally have the Akwuke/Atakkwu Waterpark and Ovu Lake Golf and Resort at Akpawfu,” she stated.

She explained that all the tourist sites would have experience centres, food courts and renewable energy, adding that tour buses would soon arrive to ensure ease of movement of tourists.

Ahead of the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival,  Enugu 2026, Barr. Ekweremadu said the State Executive Council had equally directed the commencement of work both at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village not later than June.

“We also briefed the council on the progress made in establishing a Lab for Animation for young people in Enugu State, which His Excellency will be commissioning soon. The lab is ready.

“We are similarly working towards empowering over 2,100 young people across the state, who were trained around December last year. This empowerment will be coming up on the 12th of August, being the International Youth Day’” Ekweremadu concluded.

Presenting the estimates entitled “Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity” at the floor of the House on Tuesday, Mbah said the proposed estimates comprised N837.9bn Capital Expenditure, representing  86 per cent of the budget estimates, and a Recurrent Expenditure component of N133.1bn, representing  only 14 per cent of the budget.

1. Record Breaking

The 2025 budget topples the record-holding 2024 budget of N521.5bn, consisting of N414.3bn Capital Expenditure, representing 79 per cent of the total budget and N107.2bn Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent.

2. From the ‘Lion Building’, Education gets the lion’s share at 33% 

Governor understands the place of Education in moving the economy of any society forward. Like the 2024 budget, the 2025 budget proposal emphasizes huge investment in education, with the sector getting a lion-share of N320.6bn, representing over 33 per cent of the total budget for two consecutive years.

Mbah said that this was in line with his administration target of poverty eradication and an inclusive development model, which ensures that no one or segment of the society is left behind.

3. Enugu records 286.2% increase in IGR

The governor equally announced a growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, from N37.4bn at the end of 2023 to N144.7bn in September 2024, representing a radical 286.2 per cent increase in line with the administration’s deliberate effort to wean the state off reliance on FAAC allocations.

Addressing the House, Mbah said, “In crafting this budget, we have sort to continue to lay the right foundation in Enugu to enhance the economy and attract even more private investment.

“In spite of the dreary economic environment across the country, for us here in Enugu, we have elected to remain bullish in our aspirations, and to double down on our commitment to elevate our state to top three status in terms of GDP nationally, and eradicate poverty from our midst.

“Indeed, we see this as a vindication of our previously espoused view that sustainable national growth can really only be driven from the sub-national units to the federal levels, and not the other way round as we have attempted to do to date.

“It is on account of this that we are proposing to the House of Assembly today, a budget with a total envelope of N971,084,000,000.00 as against the budget for 2024 fiscal year which totaled N521,561,386,000.00.

“This represents an 86.4 per cent increase from the 2024 revised budget.

“The budget is broken down as follows: N133,140,000,000.00 as Recurrent Expenditure and N837,944,000,000.00 as Capital Expenditure,” he said.

On sources of revenue, he said, “In the area of our revenues, we estimated that total Recurrent revenues during 2025 will amount to N692,179,000,000 as against the approved revised provision for 2024 of N383,789,000,000.00.

“The Recurrent revenues for 2025 are broken down as follows: opening balance – N32,000,000,000; Internally Generated Revenue, IGR – N509,947,000,000; statutory revenue – N48,749,000,000; exchange rate differential – N26,559,000,000; and Value Added Tax, VAT – N74,924,000,000.

“With the total Recurrent Expenditure at N133,140,000,000.00, this translates to a Net Recurrent Revenue of N559,039,000,000.00, which is thus transferred to the Capital Development Fund.

“The total Capital Expenditure for the year 2025 is projected at N837,944,000,000.00 as against N414,334,120,000.00 for the 2024 Revised Budget. The Current Capital Expenditure estimate will be funded from the sum of N559,039,000,000.00 to be transferred from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and the Capital receipts of N278,905,000,000.00 to be realized as follows: External and Internal Aids and Grants – N15,000,000,000; other receipts – N80,202,000,000; Domestic Loans/Borrowings receipts – N55,000,000,000; and International Loans/Borrowings – N128,503,000,000.”

5. Governor Mbah has turned Enugu to  ‘a construction site’

In terms of broad sectors for 2025, the Economic Sector got a lion share of N462bn, representing 55.1 per cent of the Capital Expenditure, followed by the Social Sector with N345.7bn, representing 41.2 per cent.

In terms of specific sectors, Education got 33.2 per cent, the largest chunk, in sync with Mbah’s effort to eradicate poverty and graduate the state to a knowledge-based economy.

“As we must all know by now, Education is both our ‘sword’ and ‘shield’ in this battle to achieve economic growth in our state and banish poverty and want among our population. Consequently, we are maintaining the ambitious direction we charted in 2024 by voting a total of N320,609,059,000,00 for that sector. This represents 78% of the social sector of the budget and 33.2% of our Capital Expenditure this year,” he stated.

The governor explained that the 2025 budget would also focus greatly on health, road infrastructure, transport, agriculture, and water sectors, among others.

“There can be no economic growth without quality healthcare. This is why we are spending N45,830,896,000.00 on the sector this year.

“In the area of Works and Infrastructure, we will continue our relentless advance towards our target to build or refurbish all key roads across the state by 2031. In line with this, we will spend a total of N213,120,267,000.00 in 2025.

“Food inflation is a major component of core inflation in Nigeria. Consequently, food production is critical to moderation of the currently high levels of inflation in the Country. As a result, we will be spending up to N82,300,761,000.00 in the agricultural and agro-industrialisation sector this year.

6. Enugu Air | new Taxi scheme

In the area of Transport, the Governor said his administration will be spending a total of N41,132,463,000.00 to expand Enugu Air with the acquisition of 4 additional aircraft.

“In addition, we will be consummating the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam international airport as well as the construction of an international cargo terminal. We will also be floating a new taxi scheme in collaboration with the private sector to modernize urban and inter-urban transportation for Ndi Enugu.

7. 2024 Budget Performance

Giving a breakdown of the state’s IGR and overall performance of the 2024 budget, the governor noted a remarkable increase in the state’s IGR since the inception of this administration, explaining that while the state’s IGR stood at N26.8bn in 2022, the administration it by 39 per cent to N37.4bn at the end of 2023.

However, as at September 2024, the state’s IGR had drastically increased to ₦144.7bn, representing a 286.2 per cent increase, expressing confidence that it would surpass 200billion by the end of the year.

“In terms of budgetary performance, the total revenue realised in the state as at October 2024 came to N459,851,309,396.47, which comes to a budget performance of 88%. Of this amount, N178,354,494,502.47 related to Statutory Receipts, while N136,700,000,000.00 related to Capital Receipts and N144,796,814,894.00 to Internally Generated Revenue.

“As at October, these inflows had been applied to Expenditure with N382,427,929,564.00 as Capital Expenditure and N76,546,090,116.18 as Recurrent Expenditure. These translated to a budget performance of 88%. Additional revenues and Expenditure are still expected before the end of the year, with IGR envisaged to surpass the N200 billion mark.

“While we may make bold to say that our progress in this past year is commendable given the odds that were arraigned against the state economy, we are not yet ready to rest on our oars,” Mbah said.

Meanwhile, Uchenna Ugwu, the speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, has promised early passage of the budget by the House to sustain the governor’s development strides.

“He exhibited his leadership mantra, tomorrow is here.

“Because you have demonstrated enormous capacity; because you have exhibited enormous potential of the very fabric of our state’s economy, I want to assure you that the House of Assembly shall expeditiously consider this and give you the legal framework to continue flying high,” Hon. Ugwu stated.