Enugu targets $30bn GDP by 2031 through education sector reforms

Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, says his administration will spend nearly 30 percent of the 2024 state budget on education.

Mbah spoke on Saturday at the 19th convocation of over 9,000 students at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

The governor said education is the state’s greatest weapon against poverty and added that his administration would ensure that the poorest child in the remotest parts of the state would be reached.

Mbah also said he would prioritise basic education while reforming the sector. 

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

“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 of schooling.

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

The governor said his administration had completed the construction of one smart school and awarded a contract for the construction of another nine.

He added that 250 more would be constructed in less than 14 months to cover the entire 260 wards.

“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 said.

The governor commended the ESUT management for taking steps to align with the government’s vision for tertiary education.