The 2025 Enugu Tech Festival, organised by the Enugu State Government, commenced on Wednesday with Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, declaring it the largest technology conference Nigeria has ever hosted.
Tijani highlighted that the festival, which drew thousands of youths from both within and outside Enugu, was a significant step in Nigeria’s effort to establish a strong digital economy. He added that Enugu, under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, had transitioned from policy to action, positioning itself to lead Nigeria’s tech revolution.
Governor Mbah, addressing the crowd, encouraged the youths to embrace technology, stressing that the future lies in it.
The Minister further stated that the theme of the Tech Festival, “Coal to Code,” aligned with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s vision, recognising that Nigeria’s digital economy would not be built solely in Abuja but across the entire nation. “Enugu is showing how this should and will be done. I have never, never been to a conference on technology in Nigeria that is this big. I founded the first technology hub in Nigeria, the very first in Nigeria. So, I know a thing or two when technology people gather. I can assure you that today, you are part of history because we have never seen anything this big in Nigeria before,” Tijani affirmed.
Tijani also expressed his admiration for the state’s energy, ambition, and potential, noting that only two years ago, few could have envisioned the current level of technological progress in Enugu. “But today, Enugu has not just imagined, Enugu is building it. Under two years, we have seen investment in digital infrastructure, and the innovation ecosystem of the state.”
He continued by stating that what was happening in Enugu was part of a larger movement. “What is happening today in Enugu is part of something bigger. We are now witnessing a generational rise, not one where people complain and protest, but one where creativity is used to shape the future. Not just with passion, but with precision,” he added.
Tijani commended the festival’s participants for their role in creating a Nigeria that would attract global attention. He called for collaboration, hard work, and commitment from all sectors to ensure the success of the nation’s tech journey. “Progress is not automatic, but needs all of us. It needs the government to continue to be brave. It needs the private sector to invest deeper. It needs mentors, builders, teachers, and it needs leaders,” he concluded.
Governor Mbah, in his address, also highlighted how his administration had invested in technology to revolutionise various sectors, including security, land administration, and education. He explained that the Enugu Tech Festival was part of his broader strategy to help develop the state’s youth into wealth creators and valuable assets for the workforce of the future.
“The power of technology and innovation and what we can accomplish is something that I want the youths to be mindful of. If you look at the way things are being done in the world today, we are now talking about an era where people just sit down with great ideas, create platforms where they begin to essentially benefit from that platform,” Mbah said.
He offered examples of technological disruption, including Uber, which transformed the taxi industry without owning any vehicles. “An example is the Uber that came and disrupted the city taxi without owning a key. Today, they provide by far the largest traffic just by creating a platform. You can extend that to Airbnb. Without owning a key, these guys have disrupted the business of those who own several brick and mortar houses. You can also extend that to Tesla. That is the power of technology. This shows essentially that technology is where the future is,” Mbah concluded.
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