By Abbas Nazil
The governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has announced plans to establish two new universities as part of the state’s efforts to become a leading center of knowledge and a hub for diaspora-led innovation in Nigeria.
He made the disclosure during the launch of the Diaspora Bridge Platform, a digital tool designed to connect Nigerian professionals abroad with local tertiary institutions for research, teaching, capacity building, and innovation collaboration.
Speaking at the event held at the State House in Abuja, Governor Mbah said the new institutions—the Enugu State University of Education and Technology (ESUET) and the Enugu State University of Agriculture and Technology (ESUAT)—would complement the existing seven public tertiary institutions in the state.
He emphasized that these developments are part of broader efforts to expand access to quality education and drive innovation, especially in the critical fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM-M), with Enugu State aiming to become a national leader in STEMM education and practice.
Governor Mbah noted that Enugu has consistently allocated over 33 percent of its annual budget to education, highlighting human capital development as the bedrock of national wealth and progress.
The administration is also constructing 260 Smart Green Schools expected to commence operations in September, as well as eight Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges—one in each federal constituency across the state.
He said the focus on TVET and Smart Schools is to ensure practical learning environments that incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Simulation, and other technologies aimed at applied knowledge and industry readiness beyond the Sustainable Development Goals.
The governor also highlighted the role of the newly established Center for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), which is designed to promote foundational, life, digital, and job-specific skills to meet the demands of modern industries and the global economy.
Governor Mbah applauded the Federal Ministry of Education and its leadership under Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa for spearheading the Diaspora Bridge initiative, which he described as a vital step in reconnecting global Nigerian expertise with local national development needs.
He lamented that the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora have long been viewed narrowly through remittances and occasional medical outreaches, while their broader intellectual and financial resources remain underutilized.
According to him, the Diaspora Bridge now offers a formal structure to fully engage Nigerian professionals abroad, providing new pathways for sustained national development through education, technology, and innovation.
He concluded by inviting the diaspora community and investors to consider Enugu State as a prime destination for educational and technological advancement, promising an enabling environment driven by visionary leadership and transformative policies.
