From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has set a target of 50,000 participants for the 2026 edition of the Enugu Tech Festival as it moves to consolidate gains recorded during the inaugural edition earlier this year.
The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, disclosed this while inaugurating the Central Planning Committee for the festival in Enugu.
He said the 2026 edition, billed to hold from February 24 to 27, would ride on the theme ‘Coal to Code: Energy in New Form’, and would explore how technology and innovation can transform Enugu’s historic coal legacy into a digital-driven economy.
“We are building on the success of our inaugural Tech Festival, which attracted over 28,000 participants. For 2026, our target is 50,000,” Dr. Ezeh said.
He explained that the festival aligns with the state’s development vision under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, aimed at repositioning Enugu as a hub for innovation, digital skills, and sustainable development.
“This festival speaks directly to Governor Mbah’s commitment to a tech-enabled future for our state. We are creating an ecosystem that fosters creativity, innovation and job creation,” he said.
The Commissioner also inaugurated a Central Planning Committee made up of a Local Organising Committee (LOC) and an advisory board. He said the LOC would drive implementation, while the advisory board would provide strategic direction and help shape the event’s objectives.
“The advisory board will offer guidance, mobilise partnerships and ensure we remain aligned with global tech trends. The LOC is already working on logistics, stakeholder engagement, and programme structure,” he said.
Dr. Ezeh said the festival would feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and networking sessions aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
According to him, “the theme ‘Coal to Code’ is symbolic. It captures our journey from a coal-reliant past to a future anchored on innovation and energy in new forms.”
He said the inspiration for the 2026 event was partly drawn from his recent participation at the VIVA 2025 Global Tech Event held in Paris, France.
“I was privileged to engage with global innovators at the VIVA Tech event in Paris. We want to replicate that energy and structure in Enugu, using international best practices blended with local ideas,” he said.
He added that anticipation was already building, especially among young innovators and startups in the South East.
Dr. Ezeh urged stakeholders, including the private sector, academia, and the youth, to key into the project and make the 2026 festival a landmark event.
He expressed confidence that the festival would further open up Enugu to national and international partnerships, boost local innovation, and project the state as a digital investment destination.
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