The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged deeper collaboration with the Enugu State Government, applauding Governor Peter Mbah’s transformative development agenda, which it described as a bold blueprint for inclusive growth in Nigeria and beyond.

UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, made the remarks during a working visit to the Government House, Enugu, on Thursday. She praised Mbah’s strategic vision—highlighting signature initiatives such as the newly launched Enugu Air and the Smart Green Schools—as emblematic of forward-thinking leadership capable of repositioning Enugu as a global and regional hub.

“We are delighted to see the bold and ambitious plans you have for Enugu State. The launch of Enugu Air is a bridge we do not take for granted. It connects Enugu to Nigeria, Africa, and the rest of the world,” Attafuah said.

Attafuah also announced UNDP’s readiness to support a wide range of projects, including digital innovation networks, mini-grid energy systems, entrepreneurship hubs, and a national University Innovation Network featuring tools like 3D printers and CNC machines.

Enugu, she said, is strategically positioned to lead regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and could benefit from existing UNDP frameworks that have already cut export costs for Nigerian SMEs by 50 percent in other regions.

Governor Mbah expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing alignment with his administration’s core priorities, especially in human capital development.

“We realized from the beginning that to grow our economy and tackle insecurity, we must invest heavily in human capital,” Mbah said.

He detailed his government’s construction of 260 Smart Green Schools across all wards, equipped with robotics labs, ICT hubs, and staffed by trained teachers. The schools are complemented by an ambitious school feeding program and integrated health services to support over 300,000 students daily.

In healthcare, Mbah announced the rollout of 260 new Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across all political wards to ensure universal access to essential services.

Highlighting youth empowerment, the governor revealed plans to train 40,000 youths in tech outsourcing and practical trades, anchored by a digital industrial park and specialized garment hubs.

“We don’t want our youths to japa physically; we want their skills to japa. They should stay in Nigeria, earn globally, and contribute locally,” Mbah said.

UNDP’s Attafuah concluded by expressing admiration for the state’s inclusive, innovation-led development model and reiterated the organization’s support in scaling these efforts.