Governor Peter Mbah on Tuesday declared that innovation, not invention, will determine whether societies achieve lasting development.
He made the statement while opening the Enugu Tech Festival 2026 in Enugu on February 25, telling young innovators that ideas alone are not enough without practical solutions.
The governor described the festival as more than a technology gathering. He called it a public declaration that Enugu State intends to compete seriously in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
He said technology is no longer operating quietly in the background of daily life. Instead, it now shapes how people work, communicate, trade, and solve problems.
According to him, the global economy has shifted from physical assets to ideas, data, and code. He noted that creativity and problem-solving now drive growth across industries.
“We use platforms built elsewhere, we search on them, we store data, we build businesses on top of them, but ownership is powerful,” he said.
Mbah told participants that real progress would come when Nigerians begin to design and own local digital tools.
From Ideas to Impact
The governor said some of the world’s biggest companies did not start with a grand ambition to change the world.
“They started by solving problems they refused to ignore,” he said.
“Invention creates ideas, but innovation creates lasting impact.”
He challenged participants to go beyond copying existing systems. He asked them to build tools that directly address local needs in education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, and commerce.
“Technology is the tool, clarity of purpose is the advantage,” he added.
Mbah reflected on previous editions of the festival and said the state has moved from making declarations to showing measurable progress.
He said future editions must focus more on practical demonstrations of skill, prototypes, and scalable business models.
Enugu Tech Festival is part of the state’s broader digital strategy. The administration has repeatedly said it wants to position Enugu as a hub for innovation, creativity, and enterprise in southeastern Nigeria.
Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has grown significantly over the past decade, attracting global venture capital and producing startups in fintech, edtech, health tech, and e-commerce. Yet much of the digital infrastructure Nigerians rely on is still foreign-owned.
Mbah said local ownership matters because it builds economic strength and long-term value within the country.
Youth, Collaboration and Investment
The 2026 festival brought together entrepreneurs, students, software developers, investors, and policymakers.
Activities included exhibitions, panel discussions, and training sessions focused on digital skills and entrepreneurship.
Organisers said the goal is to encourage young people to develop solutions that respond to real challenges.
They identified education, health, business, and governance as key sectors where innovation can deliver impact.
The festival also created space for collaboration between innovators and potential investors.
Mbah said Enugu must not only consume technology but also produce it.
He told participants that sustainable development requires systems built by people who understand local realities.
The governor said innovation must translate into jobs, stronger institutions, and inclusive growth.
He added that the state will continue to support platforms that nurture talent and encourage experimentation.
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