Enugu, Nigeria – On May 7, 2025, Enugu State launched the Enugu Tech Festival 2025, themed “Coal to Code,” heralded by Governor Peter Mbah as Nigeria’s largest-ever technology conference. The event attracted thousands of young innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts, marking a pivotal step toward building a robust digital economy in Enugu and Nigeria at large.
Governor Mbah, addressing the vibrant gathering, emphasized Enugu’s transformation from its coal-based past to a hub of digital innovation. “In less than two years, we’ve moved from policy to progress, from coal to code,” he stated, highlighting significant investments in digital infrastructure and the innovation ecosystem. Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, praised Enugu’s leadership in Nigeria’s tech revolution, noting, “This is what happens when vision turns into action.”
Mbah inspired the youth, stressing technology’s transformative potential. “We are in an era where ideas create platforms that change industries and build wealth,” he said, citing global disruptors like Uber, Airbnb, and Tesla, which redefined their sectors through innovative platforms rather than physical assets. “This is the future we are preparing our youths for,” he added.
The festival featured cutting-edge exhibitions, workshops, and networking opportunities, equipping young Nigerians to become tomorrow’s wealth creators and workforce leaders. “Enugu is not just imagining change; we are building it,” Mbah affirmed, positioning the state as a beacon of innovation and ambition.
However, the “Coal to Code” theme sparked criticism from investigative journalist David Hundeyin, who called it “dumb, asinine, and foreign-driven.” In a pointed critique, Hundeyin questioned the narrative of transitioning from coal to technology, asking, “How are you going from ‘coal to code’ when you never actually mastered the coal?” He highlighted Nigeria’s lack of control over its coal mines, absence of coal-fired power stations, and undeveloped coal mining value chain, arguing that the slogan reflects a disconnect from economic realities. “The tragedy is that Nigeria’s intelligentsia is filled with people who genuinely believe these foreign-sponsored soundbites,” Hundeyin remarked, citing an instance where a discussion on AI strategy was interrupted by a power outage. He criticized the reliance on “alternate realities” shaped by foreign entities like USAID.
Despite the controversy, the Enugu Tech Festival 2025 underscores the state’s commitment to a tech-driven future. As Enugu invests in digital innovation, it aims to empower its youth and position Nigeria as a global tech contender, even as debates persist over the path to industrial and technological progress.
This article is published in Stakeholders Magazine as a news report covering the Enugu Tech Festival 2025.
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