Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has projected Enugu as Nigeria’s next major investment capital, calling on Nigerians in the diaspora to seize the vast economic opportunities rapidly unfolding across the state. The governor made the declaration at the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, where he delivered a goodwill message centred on the theme, “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Growth through Diaspora Investment.”

Represented by the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, Governor Mbah described Nigerians in the diaspora as the “critical bridge” between national aspirations and real economic transformation. Their financial capacity, global exposure and strategic networks, he said, have historically shaped national development around the world.

“You are the bridge between opportunity and realization,” he told participants, urging them to tap into Enugu’s fast-growing sectors—energy, technology, agribusiness, real estate, and infrastructure.

Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s ambitious economic agenda, which seeks to grow Enugu’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in eight years, place the state among Nigeria’s top three economies, and drive poverty down to zero percent. These targets, he stressed, are backed by deliberate reforms, strong policy direction, and a well-defined development blueprint.

To enhance ease of doing business, the governor highlighted groundbreaking reforms, including the signing of new property and business laws and the simplification of regulatory processes. He announced that land titles can now be obtained within 72 hours through the Enugu Geographic Information System (ENGIS), describing the innovation as a major confidence boost for investors.

“Private investment should never feel like a leap of faith. Our job is to de-risk business and give investors confidence,” he said.

On infrastructure, Mbah noted that Enugu is undergoing one of the most aggressive development phases in its history. He highlighted the monumental increase in daily water production—from 2 million litres to 120 million litres—as evidence of the government’s commitment to modernizing the state’s basic utilities.

Security, he emphasized, remains the bedrock of the administration’s investment agenda. The introduction of a Distress Response Squad, a statewide CCTV network, and an AI-enabled 24/7 Command and Control Centre has strengthened surveillance, improved response times, and enhanced investor confidence.

Education, the governor said, is at the core of his poverty eradication strategy. With 33 percent of the state’s annual budget allocated to education—the highest per capita in Nigeria—his administration is building state-of-the-art Smart Green Schools equipped with robotics and AI labs, multimedia learning studios, science facilities, and hundreds of digital learning tablets.

Governor Mbah also highlighted milestone achievements in the power sector, noting that Enugu is the first state in Nigeria to gain full regulatory control of its electricity market, supported by the Enugu State Electricity Law and the creation of the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Transportation infrastructure has equally received massive attention, with the construction of five modern bus terminals and more than 400 newly completed urban and inter-urban roads aimed at improving commerce, reducing travel time and elevating living standards.

A major highlight of his address was the unveiling of the New Enugu Smart City—a 9,000-hectare, ultra-modern urban district designed to house 150,000 residents. The project features mixed-use residential estates, ecological resorts, corporate headquarters, an industrial innovation park, cultural attractions, sporting facilities, and a world-class ICT incubation hub.

The Smart City is being developed in partnership with the China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) and a global consortium of engineers and project managers to ensure international construction standards and timely execution.

“What we are building is not just a city—it is Nigeria’s newest economic frontier,” Governor Mbah declared.

He urged Nigerians in the diaspora to explore the state’s expanding opportunities and partner with the administration in building a globally competitive, future-ready economy. Mbah expressed confidence that the summit would unlock new collaborations capable of accelerating regional and national growth.