Enugu State Governor Barr. Peter Mbah has announced that his administration will allocate 30% of the 2024 state budget to the education sector.

Mbah emphasized the importance of providing quality education for all students, regardless of their background or location. He envisions a future where even the poorest child in the most remote part of Enugu has access to world-class education equipped with 21st-century technology.

The Governor’s remarks came during his keynote address at the 19th convocation of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani.

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

“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 per cent of our state budget on education, well above the recommended international benchmark”.

Governor Mbah expressed his appreciation to the ESUT management for aligning with the government’s vision for tertiary education. He commended the university’s efforts to reposition itself as a center of excellence, in line with the state’s overall educational goals.

In addition to Governor Mbah’s address, the convocation ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on several distinguished Nigerians, including Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited; Ike Chioke, Group Managing Director of Afrivest West Africa Ltd; and Surv Ugochukwu Chime, a prominent estate developer. Outstanding students were also recognized and awarded cash prizes, with Miss Barbara Ijeoma Ikeonyia being recognized as the best graduating student.