In a statement issued on Friday by Ikharo Attah, his special adviser on communications and media, Alausa described the rescue as a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to protecting schoolchildren and ensuring the safety of Nigerians.

The minister said Tinubu showed steadfast leadership by ensuring that every effort was made to secure the release of the victims.

Alausa also praised Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, and the state government for working closely with security agencies during the rescue operation and supporting the victims’ rehabilitation and reintegration.

He commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security and intelligence agencies involved in the operation for what he described as their professionalism, courage and coordination.

“The successful rescue of these innocent children and their teachers is a moment of great relief for the nation. It reflects the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to protect the lives of Nigerians and demonstrates the growing effectiveness of collaboration among the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and our security agencies,” the statement reads.

“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, I congratulate Mr President on this important achievement. I also commend the Oyo State Government for its support and commitment throughout this difficult period, and sincerely appreciate the bravery, patriotism and tireless efforts of all the security personnel whose dedication made this rescue possible.

“Their collective efforts have restored hope to the affected families and reassured Nigerians that our institutions remain resolute in confronting criminality.”

The minister expressed sympathy to the rescued pupils, teachers and their families over the trauma they experienced during their 56 days in captivity and prayed for their physical and psychological recovery.

Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen school safety across the country in line with the Tinubu administration’s renewed hope agenda.

He also urged communities, parents, school authorities and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and continue supporting government efforts by cooperating with security agencies to keep schools safe for teaching and learning.

On Friday, the abducted pupils and teachers regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity following a coordinated operation involving the military, the DSS and the police.

On May 15, gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School, all in Oriire LGA of Oyo state, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

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Tunji Alausa, minister of education, spoke on Thursday in Abuja while receiving Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director-general and chief executive officer (CEO) of NIMC, during a courtesy visit.

The minister said the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of using technology to improve governance, transparency and service delivery, adding that the education sector would provide full support to the commission in strengthening Nigeria’s identity management system.

Alausa commended NIMC for what he described as significant progress in modernising the country’s identity infrastructure.

“I am delighted that NIMC, under the leadership of Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, is setting standards that are comparable with the best anywhere in the world in identity management,” he said.

“Within a short period, the agency has been transformed in ways never seen before. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and the mandate he has given you. You have worked tirelessly to make the President proud by implementing every aspect of that mandate.”

The minister said the recently signed NIMC Act had strengthened the legal framework for collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, paving the way for what he described as “a single source of truth” for identity management across the country.

“Let me assure you that we in the education sector are your strongest partners. We will support everything your agency is doing to strengthen trust and credibility in Nigeria’s identity management system,” he said.

80 MILLION LEARNERS TO BE CAPTURED

Alausa said the education sector would play a critical role in developing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure because it holds one of the country’s largest repositories of citizen data.

According to him, about 67 million learners are enrolled in Nigeria’s basic and post-basic education system, including early childhood, primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools.

He added that when students in tertiary institutions and technical and vocational education programmes are included, the number rises to nearly 80 million people — almost one-third of Nigeria’s estimated population.

“The education sector represents one of the largest pools of citizens in the country. Therefore, collaboration between NIMC and the education sector is essential,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the ministry had already developed the National Learners’ Identification Number (NLIN), which is now being aligned with the National Identification Number (NIN) to harmonise learner records with the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).

He said integrating the systems would enable government to verify learners’ identities, generate credible education statistics and improve planning, monitoring and policy implementation.

“This gives us access to credible biometric information linked to each learner’s NIN. We can now verify every learner’s identity and determine whether the individual is a Nigerian citizen or a legal resident with a valid identification number,” Alausa said.

“This enables us to aggregate and disaggregate education data accurately, providing evidence-based information for policy formulation, interventions, planning, monitoring and evaluation.”

Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment, he added: “Today, DG, I could not be happier with the progress we have made together. You have our full commitment. Whatever support you require from us to make your work easier in establishing a single source of truth for Nigeria, we will provide it.”

Responding, Coker-Odusote commended the minister for the ongoing reforms in the education sector, describing them as transformative.

“On behalf of NIMC and indeed all Nigerians, we commend you for the remarkable work you have done. The transformation you have brought to the education sector is truly outstanding,” she said.

She assured the ministry of NIMC’s continued support in strengthening identity management across the education sector.

“As the custodian of Nigeria’s identity system, NIMC will continue to support your efforts to strengthen identity management within the education sector,” she said.

The collaboration forms part of the federal government’s broader digital transformation agenda under the renewed hope programme.

It is expected to improve education planning, eliminate duplicate learner records, strengthen transparency in government interventions and promote data-driven policymaking by integrating the national learners’ identification number with the national identification number (NIN) and the national education management information system (NEMIS).

The post Education ministry, NIMC partner to integrate 80 million learners into national identity system first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja while inaugurating the organising committee for the 2026 national research fair and exhibition, Sonny Echono, TETFund executive secretary, said the initiative is designed to transform research outputs into marketable products and services capable of creating jobs, wealth and driving national development.

Unlike the maiden edition held in 2024, the 2026 exhibition will no longer be limited to TETFund beneficiary institutions.

Echono said every Nigerian with a viable innovation would have the opportunity to participate, regardless of educational background or institutional affiliation.

“We will advertise for entries and any Nigerian who has developed a product, a service or any form of innovation will be given the opportunity to apply,” he said.

“The committee will assess the submissions and select those with strong commercial potential for exhibition.

“We want this fair to become the one-stop shop for all inventors, innovators and researchers in Nigeria. We are extending participation beyond our traditional beneficiary institutions because innovation is not limited to the university system.”

He said the exhibition would serve as a meeting point for researchers, manufacturers, investors, venture capitalists, technology licensing professionals and entrepreneurs to facilitate the movement of promising innovations from laboratories to the marketplace.

“Our goal is to create a conducive environment where researchers, entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists and technology licensing professionals can meet and work together to commercialise these innovations,” he added.

Echono said TETFund’s board of trustees approved the expansion and reconstitution of the organising committee following the success of the inaugural edition.

He said the committee now includes representatives of the organised private sector, innovation hubs, relevant government ministries, the military and the Association of Nigerian Inventors.

According to him, the committee will document research outputs from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, research institutes and independent innovators, develop a national database of innovations, cluster technologies by sector and facilitate partnerships capable of attracting investment.

Echono also announced that an international conference would hold alongside the exhibition to position Nigeria as a leading innovation destination in Africa.

“The conference will bring experts from Africa and beyond to share experiences and best practices so that Nigeria can strengthen its research ecosystem and become a leading innovation hub on the continent,” he said.

The TETFund boss said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting local manufacturing, industrialisation, job creation and wealth generation.

“In the knowledge economy, innovation is the competitive edge. Nigeria is richly endowed with intellectual assets. Our responsibility is to harness those assets to solve our national problems, promote local manufacturing, create jobs and generate wealth,” Echono said.

“We want the attendance to be rich. We want you to facilitate the process of mainstreaming these technologies into the Nigerian market to generate employment and create wealth for Nigerians.”

Earlier, Suleiman Zangina, TETFund’s director of research and development, said the fund had invested significantly in research and development over the years, with many projects already producing innovations ready for commercialisation.

“Several of the research projects funded by the National Research Fund have produced promising outputs that can be scaled up to the level of commercialisation,” he said.

Zangina explained that the National Research Fair was conceived to bridge the long-standing gap between researchers and industry.

“The National Research Fair was initiated to provide a platform where researchers and industry could have a handshake, so that research outputs can be translated into goods and services for the benefit of society,” he added.

He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated committee would build on the success of the maiden edition.

Also speaking, Umar Bindir, chairman of the organising committee, said Nigeria’s research had yet to make the desired impact on economic development because of weak collaboration between academia and industry.

He said the committee would prioritise private sector participation to ensure research outputs are transformed into commercially viable products.

“We must build a bridge across the valley between knowledge generation and the people. Research should improve lives, create industries and reduce poverty,” Bindir said.

He described the expanded role of the private sector as a major innovation that would distinguish the 2026 exhibition.

“This time, the private sector will not just attend the exhibition; it will play a central role because commercialisation can only happen when industry takes ownership. We will leave no stone unturned. In fact, we will remove the stones completely to ensure this initiative succeeds.”

The post TETFund opens 2026 national research fair to all Nigerian innovators, targets commercialisation of research first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Asiya said the family was not asking the president to halt the prosecution of the former governor or interfere with the judicial process but to ensure he receives fair treatment.

Her appeal came hours after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed the arrest of Bello Abubakar, el-Rufai’s personal physician.

Flanked by Aichatou el-Rufai, another wife of the former governor, Asiya alleged that her husband, who she said is being treated for high blood pressure and high blood sugar, had been denied access to his doctors.

Addressing Tinubu directly, she recalled supporting his 2023 presidential campaign and urged him to intervene to ensure El-Rufai’s rights are protected.

“Mr President, I campaigned for you. I went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” she said.

“The ball is in your court. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe you are a father and can empathise.”

Asiya said the family was only asking that El-Rufai be granted bail on reasonable terms and allowed access to medical care, relatives and lawyers while his trial continues.

“We are not asking you to stop the prosecution. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court decide. We are only asking that he be given the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” she said.

She alleged that the former governor’s continued detention and restrictions on visits had left the family traumatised.

“We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear bad news,” she said, describing the situation as “psychological warfare” against both El-Rufai and his family.

Asiya also questioned the reported decision to deny Bello Abubakar access to the former governor.

“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” she asked.

The family further alleged that El-Rufai had been denied regular access to his personal doctors and that visits by relatives had become increasingly restricted.

They also raised concerns about a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja, questioning its authenticity and calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding its issuance.

According to the family, the restrictions have also hampered El-Rufai’s ability to prepare his legal defence because of limited access to his lawyers.

They urged the authorities to grant him bail on terms he can reasonably meet pending the conclusion of his trial, insisting that the courts should determine his guilt or innocence.

The post ‘I campaigned for you’ — el-Rufai’s wife appeals to Tinubu over husband’s detention first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Alausa spoke on Tuesday during the handover of recovered assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the federal ministry of education in Abuja.

The recovered assets include 501 double-decker bed frames, 939 mattresses and 12 wooden beds with mattresses, which will be distributed to federal unity colleges across the country.

According to the minister, the asset recovery programme reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ensuring that resources recovered from criminal activities are redirected to projects that directly benefit Nigerians, particularly children and young people.

He said the initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to reinvest recovered public assets in critical sectors, with education remaining a top priority.

Alausa described education as central to Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy through sustained investment in human capital development.

He said converting recovered assets into educational resources reflects a deliberate policy of turning proceeds of crime into opportunities that improve learning outcomes and secure a better future for Nigerian students.

The minister added that the education sector has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the federal government’s asset recovery efforts.

He recalled that Tinubu had earlier approved the conversion of a forfeited university facility into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, instead of allowing the property to be sold.

According to Alausa, the university has already enrolled more than 3,000 students in programmes covering applied sciences, engineering, nursing, health sciences and other critical fields.

He said the newly recovered assets would significantly improve accommodation and welfare for students in colleges and other educational institutions nationwide.

Alausa also commended Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the EFCC, for strengthening public confidence in the anti-graft agency through professionalism, adherence to the rule of law and sustained efforts against corruption, procurement fraud and cybercrime.

Earlier, Olukoyede said the assets were recovered during Operation Eagle Flush, one of the commission’s largest cybercrime operations.

He said the operation, conducted towards the end of 2024, led to the arrest of about 792 suspects, including foreign nationals, who were investigated, prosecuted, convicted and repatriated after serving their prison terms.

The EFCC chairman said the restitution was carried out in line with the Proceeds of Crime Act and the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that recovered assets are transparently deployed for national development.

Olukoyede said children and young people are among the greatest victims of corruption and financial crimes, making it appropriate for them to benefit from assets recovered from criminal enterprises.

He also highlighted previous interventions by the commission in the education sector, including the transfer of the forfeited university facility that now houses the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the deployment of recovered proceeds of crime as part of the seed funding for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to him, about 1.4 million students have already benefited from the student loan scheme through tuition support and monthly upkeep allowances, easing financial pressures that often expose vulnerable youths to cybercrime and other financial crimes.

The handover was formalised through the signing of a deed of release by representatives of the EFCC and the federal ministry of education, including Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

Alausa assured Nigerians that the recovered assets would be distributed transparently and equitably to unity schools across the country to improve student welfare, accommodation and learning infrastructure.

The post EFCC hands over recovered assets to education ministry first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The presidency announced the development in a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy.

According to the statement, the new office will be domiciled in the office of the coordinating minister of health and social welfare and will serve as a national platform for coordinating the country’s digital health initiatives.

The presidency said the NHTDAO would reinforce, rather than replace, the statutory responsibilities of existing departments and agencies in the health sector.

It added that the office would harmonise and strengthen collaboration among public and private health institutions, establish interoperability standards, and oversee the implementation of the national digital health architecture approved by the national council on health in november 2025.

The statement said the office is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven healthcare system capable of improving health outcomes nationwide.

Adigwe, who currently serves as the director-general of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), has led several science and technology initiatives in the health sector.

The presidency said he spearheaded interventions in artificial intelligence, translational research and technology transfer, while coordinating major projects, including a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant and an AFREXIMBank grant that established Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Training Facility.

It also noted that Adigwe developed the roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant—the largest in Africa for the thematic area—and conducted what it described as the world’s first scientific analysis debunking claims surrounding the Covid Organics preparation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To provide strategic direction and oversight, the office will be guided by a steering committee co-chaired by  Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, and Olaniyi Yusuf, chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

Other members include Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Iziaq Adekunle Salako; permanent secretary of the federal ministry of health and social welfare, Kachollom Daju; special adviser to the president on technology and digital economy Idris Alubankudi Saliu; national coordinator of the SWAp coordination office Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq; national coordinator of the presidential initiative to unlock healthcare value chain Abdu Mukhtar; executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency Muyi Aina; director-general of the National Health Insurance Authority Kelechi Ohiri; the ministry’s director of health planning, research and statistics; a representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); six representatives of state commissioners of health, one from each geopolitical zone; and Hamza Buhari, representing industry and community stakeholders.

The presidency said Tinubu expects the NHTDAO to drive the country’s digital health transformation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

The post Tinubu approves national health technology, data analytics office, appoints Obi Adigwe as pioneer coordinator first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),  on Tuesday declared that the landscape of Abuja would be completely transformed before the end of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first term in office.

Speaking at the flag-off of the construction of the southern parkway service carriageways in Gaduwa district, Abuja, Wike said ongoing infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital would not be abandoned because of the approaching election season.

The minisrer reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT administration to sustaining the ongoing infrastructure revolution across the city.

Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), flagged off the project.

“Let me say clearly, by the time Mr. President finishes his first tenure on May 29, 2027, before he is sworn in as President for a second tenure, the landscape of Abuja would have entirely changed, to the glory of God,” Wike said.

Addressing concerns that the administration might slow down project execution ahead of the 2027 elections, Wike dismissed such fears, stressing that development of the FCT would continue unabated.

“Today is our 10th day of commissioning projects, but today was specifically selected because so many people have been asking questions,” he said.

“‘Are you saying that after commissioning all these projects, now that we are going into elections, projects will be abandoned?’ We said no.

“Elections or no elections, we must continue to do that which Mr. President has directed to make sure that we change the landscape of the Federal Capital Territory.”

The minister added that he had personally contacted the management of CGC Nigeria Limited late Monday night to ascertain the timeline for completing the Southern Parkway project.

According to him, the contractor assured him of its readiness to work round the clock to deliver the project within schedule, provided the FCT Administration fulfills its financial obligations.

“Last night, around midnight, I called the Deputy Managing Director of CGC and asked when this project would be completed,” he said.

“After consulting his team, he assured me they would work day and night to complete it if we perform our own obligation.

“Today, June 23, 2026, I assure the management and workers of CGC that we will not fail in our obligation of paying for the work done.

“This is not the first time we are giving you challenging jobs and you have performed excellently.”

The minister expressed confidence that the project would be completed and commissioned before the January 2027 elections.

“I want this road commissioned before we go for election in January 2027. Here in Abuja, it is possible. We shall call the APC Chairman back to represent Mr. President and commission this project because it is very important to us,” he added.

The minister further vowed to intensify the crackdown on land grabbers and individuals developing lands without valid allocations, describing the trend as a major threat to the Abuja Master Plan.

“All these land grabbers who have started developing lands that were not allocated to them should know that those structures will go down. Heaven will not fall. Heaven will be at peace when things are done properly.

“We have discovered that whenever government wants to execute projects, some people rush to such locations with forged documents and begin illegal developments. It will not work,” he warned.

Wike directed the development control department and the department of lands to identify and remove all illegal structures along the project corridor.

“Tell the acting director of development control to liaise with the director of lands and ensure that anybody who has started building on land not legally allocated should stop. It is in vain. We will bring such structures down,” he declared.

The southern parkway service carriageways project is expected to improve connectivity within Abuja’s southern development corridor, reduce traffic congestion and support the rapid expansion of residential and commercial districts within the FCT.

The event was attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders and representatives of the contracting firm, CGC Nigeria Limited.

The post Wike: Abuja’s landscape will change completely before end of Tinubu’s first term first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement, the presidency said Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s presidential system with the United Kingdom’s parliamentary arrangement was “misplaced,” insisting that such arguments reflect a “selective and distorted understanding” of the country’s political structure and current realities.

Obi had argued that President Tinubu should consider stepping down, citing precedents in other democracies such as the voluntary exit of a British prime minister.

But the presidency countered that Nigeria operates a fixed-term presidential system, where the mandate is determined by elections and not parliamentary confidence votes.

It also pointed to recent off-cycle governorship elections in states such as Ekiti, Ondo, and others, which it said reflected continued public support for the ruling party, arguing that such outcomes should “concern Obi and his political platform” ahead of the 2027 general election.

On security, the presidency rejected claims that the country had deteriorated under Tinubu, insisting instead that there had been “measurable progress” in counterterrorism operations since May 2023.

It said hundreds of abducted persons had been rescued across different regions, while security forces had intensified operations against terrorist groups.

According to the statement, over 15,000 suspected terrorists had been neutralised or taken off the streets, while new investments in surveillance technology, drones, and the appointment of a special adviser on homeland security were part of efforts to strengthen national security architecture.

The presidency also pushed back on Obi’s criticisms of the economy, arguing that recent macroeconomic indicators point to recovery and growth. It cited consecutive quarters of GDP growth, rising external reserves above $50 billion, increased oil production of about 1.8 million barrels per day, and improved federation revenues projected to exceed N30 trillion.

It added that federal collections had already significantly outpaced 2022 levels, while states were now receiving higher allocations for development projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and housing.

On the capital market, the statement highlighted a surge in the all-share index from about 50,000 points to over 250,000 points, saying this reflected renewed investor confidence and wealth creation for millions of Nigerians.

It also claimed improved stability in the foreign exchange market and increased foreign investment inflows, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

The presidency concluded that calls for resignation were “anti-democratic,” insisting that the appropriate avenue for assessing the administration remained the ballot box in future elections, not “social media commentary or political rhetoric.”

The post Presidency knocks Peter Obi’s resignation call on Tinubu, calls it ‘childish distraction’ first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

John Nwabueze, the tax ombud and chief executive of the office (CEO) of the tax ombud, announced the development during a meeting with Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, at the state’s government house on Tuesday.

Nwabueze said the decision to locate the south-east zonal headquarters in Enugu was informed by the state’s growing economic profile and its strategic role as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial and commercial centres.

He noted that the increasing volume of business activities in the state inevitably gives rise to tax-related disputes, including issues of multiple taxation, making the presence of the office of the tax ombud essential.

According to him, the office was established to provide taxpayers with timely, transparent, impartial and amicable dispute resolution mechanisms in their engagements with revenue authorities.

“While the payment of taxes remains an inalienable civic responsibility, taxpayers equally deserve to be treated fairly, respectfully and in accordance with the law as they fulfil this obligation,” Nwabueze said.

He explained that efficient resolution of tax disputes would encourage voluntary tax compliance, reduce tensions between taxpayers and tax authorities, and improve public confidence in the tax system.

Nwabueze described the establishment of the office of the tax ombud as one of the major achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing tax reform agenda, which seeks to create a fair, efficient and citizen-centred tax administration framework.

To improve accessibility, he said the office had launched an official website, a toll-free call centre and a digital case management portal through which taxpayers can obtain information, file complaints free of charge and monitor the progress of their cases in real time.

The tax ombud also sought collaboration with the Enugu state government to deepen taxpayer protection, promote voluntary compliance and strengthen trust in Nigeria’s evolving tax administration system.

He explained that the office of the tax ombud is an independent institution established under the Joint Tax Board (Establishment) Act, 2025, with responsibility for receiving, reviewing and resolving complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, charges, customs duties and excise matters.

In his response, the governor welcomed the decision and expressed the state’s readiness to host the regional headquarters, including providing the required facilities.

The governor said Enugu was a suitable location for the office, citing his administration’s target of expanding the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years through private sector-led investments.

Mbah said the establishment of the office of the tax ombud comes at a crucial time as his government intensifies efforts to block revenue leakages and expand the tax net.

He added that the office would help improve tax compliance and boost revenue generation in the state and the wider region.

The governor also commended President Tinubu’s reform initiatives, particularly the ongoing tax reforms, which he said are necessary to generate sustainable revenue for the provision of education, healthcare, infrastructure and other essential public services.

The post Enugu emerges south-east headquarters of tax ombud office first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

There is a phrase that echoes through every conversation with Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State: “connecting the dots.”

It is not a political slogan. It is a governing philosophy. And it is the only way to make sense of the unprecedented wave of infrastructure sweeping across Enugu.

From the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to the creation of a new smart city bigger than Paris, from 267 smart green schools to 260 farm estates, from a world‑class international hospital to a security network that has ended the sit‑at‑home era, every project is deliberately linked to a single audacious goal: growing Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031.

That goal, when Governor Mbah first announced it, was met with scepticism. A 27 percent compound annual growth rate seemed impossible, given the historical trajectory of the state.

But as the Governor explained during an exclusive interview with the Renewed Hope media team, “We realised that we needed to do things differently. This is going to be an era of quantum leap, disruptive innovation. That growth is going to be government‑enabled but private sector‑driven.”

And the enabler of that vision? President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, which freed up resources for sub‑nationals to act at scale.

THE SUBSIDY REMOVAL: A GAME‑CHANGER FOR ENUGU

Governor Mbah was unequivocal about the impact of the president’s policies. “I think it would have been impossible, to say the least, for us to have done things at the scale we did without some of the bold and courageous policies of Mr. President. What the policies of Mr. President did for sub‑nationals is largely to free up resources.”

He contrasted this with the struggles of his predecessor, who often had to choose between paying salaries and funding capital projects. Today, Enugu is building new cities, airports, and schools because the federation account is now delivering more funds to the states.

The removal of subsidies, the unification of the exchange rate, the tax reforms, and the NELFUND policy have all contributed to a fiscal environment where ambitious state governments can thrive.

Without security, none of this works. Governor Mbah invested heavily in technology, deploying AI‑enabled cameras, a distress response squad (DRS), and a command‑and‑control centre.

He also worked with federal security agencies to end the illegal sit‑at‑home order, which once paralysed the state. “If you have done nine things well and there’s an error in one, that one gets magnified and diminishes everything you’ve done,” the governor noted.

So, the state monitors its nine gateways, uses body cams and helmet cams on officers, and works collaboratively with the army, police, DSS, and civil defence. The result is a state where investors can feel safe and a key barrier to private capital has been removed.

AVIATION AND TOURISM: THE GATEWAY TO THREE MILLION VISITORS

The airport concession is a critical dot. Governor Mbah explained that Enugu’s target is to bring in three million visitors annually.

That requires 100 aircraft landings per day, a number impossible under the old regime where only four or five flights operated daily. So, the state set up Enugu Air, now operating close to 20 flights daily, and worked with an investor to successfully concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

This is the first airport in Nigeria’s history to be successfully concessioned, and the Governor gave full credit to President Tinubu. “It took Mr. President standing behind this deal for this success to be recorded. Very soon, you will be able to get a direct flight from Enugu to the US, the UK, and China,” he said.

To attract those visitors, the state is building four immersive tourism sites, including the longest zip line in Africa and a cable car system. These are not isolated attractions; they are pull factors designed to fill the airport and drive the hospitality sector.

THE NEW ENUGU CITY BUILT IN RECORD TIME 

The most visible symbol of this ambition is the New Enugu Smart City. Spanning 10,000 hectares, it is bigger than Phase 1 of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and comparable in size to Paris.

The first phase is already under construction, with a six‑kilometre primary dual carriageway built to higher standards than Abuja’s roads. One hundred kilometres of secondary and tertiary roads are being constructed simultaneously, a scale unmatched by any district in the FCT.

All utilities; electricity, water, fibre optics, sewage, and surveillance are underground. There will be no overhead cables, no generators, no boreholes. It is a smart, liveable city designed for a 15‑minute walk lifestyle.

The international hospital being built in Enugu is designed to capture a share of the $2 billion annual medical tourism market. Equipped with SPECT and PET scanners, it will provide advanced oncology diagnostics and treatment. “If you’re bringing in an investor, two things matter: security and where they go when they are sick,” the Governor said. By building a world‑class hospital, Enugu is removing another barrier to investment.

EDUCATION: 267 SMART GREEN SCHOOLS AND A NEW PEDAGOGY

Education is the longest‑term investment. Enugu has dedicated 33 percent of its budget to education for three consecutive years, building 7,000 classrooms and 267 smart green schools. The new pedagogy is experiential learning, moving away from rote memorisation to problem‑solving.

Teachers are trained at the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), and students learn practical skills from age three. The Governor’s logic is unassailable: “If we don’t get these kids skillfully equipped, they will take to criminality as a venture tomorrow. So we might as well spend that money today, training them”.

Agriculture is not just about food security; it is big business. Enugu is building 260 farm estates, each 200 hectares, ring‑fenced and equipped with tractors, implements, agronomists, storage, and aggregation centres. Small‑holder farmers are being transformed into mechanised commercial farmers. The state is also building agro‑processing zones in conjunction with the federal government and Afreximbank, connecting production to exports.

The genius of the Mbah administration lies in how each initiative reinforces the others. The international airport and the new airline are essential to the tourism sector, which is essential to achieving the $30 billion GDP target. The New Enugu Smart City is designed to attract the investors and skilled professionals needed to drive economic transformation, which in turn relies on the security infrastructure that makes the state safe.

The education reforms are designed to create the skilled workforce needed for the jobs generated by the new economy. The healthcare investments are designed to make the state a destination for quality care, which again serves both residents and visitors. This is not a list of projects; it is a meticulously planned ecosystem.

THE DOTS ARE CONNECTED 

Governor Mbah’s vision was made executable by President Tinubu’s subsidy removal, which gave states the fiscal space to dream big.

And his determination to connect the dots has resulted in a coherent, integrated development strategy that is already delivering results. As the Renewed Hope media tour has shown, Enugu is not waiting for the future. It is building it, one dot at a time.

The post Connecting the dots: How Peter Mbah and President Tinubu are building a new Enugu first appeared on The Times of Abuja.