ETF 2026: 67,000 To Be Trained, Foreign-Certified By UK-Based Tech Hub

By Cosmas Chukwu—

The Enugu Tech Festival 2026 (ETF 2.0) will feature digital skill training and foreign certification of 67,000 physical and virtual participants during the days of the festival in Enugu.

The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, disclosed this on Friday in a press conference on the forthcoming ETF 2.0 to be held between Feb. 24 and Feb. 27 at Enugu International Conference Centre.

Ezeh said that trainers from the United Kingdom, including partners from 1Goal Analytics, would deliver the sessions within three days, with the 67,000 participants receiving foreign certification on completion.

According to him, this initiative underscores our commitment to inclusivity — ensuring that young people, students, civil servants, and entrepreneurs acquire practical skills in data analytics, software development, artificial intelligence, and digital project management.

“This festival is driven by the bold vision of His Excellency, Gov. Peter Mbah, whose ambition is to transform Enugu State into a leading knowledge-based and digitally enabled economy.

“The governor has consistently emphasised that the future of our state lies in innovation, enterprise, and youth empowerment.

“His administration is deeply committed to digitisation across government services, education reform, technology incubation, and infrastructure modernisation.

“Through deliberate reforms and strategic investments, Enugu is building the foundation of a resilient digital economy capable of competing nationally and globally,” he said.

The commissioner said that the theme for this year’s festival, “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” reflects that transformation. Enugu was historically known as the Coal City.

He noted that through Gov. Mbah’s leadership, “we are converting that legacy into digital energy — ideas, code, research, and entrepreneurship that will power sustainable economic growth.

“Coal once powered industries; now innovation will power prosperity. This metaphor captures the spirit of reinvention that defines modern Enugu,” he said.

Ezeh said that more than 50,000 participants would be physically attending across the four-day event, adding that these would include startup founders, developers, venture capitalists, corporate technology leaders, academics, policymakers, and students.

“Delegations from across Nigeria, other African countries, and international innovation ecosystems have confirmed attendance. The scale of participation signals growing confidence in Enugu as a serious technology destination,” he said.

Ezeh noted that the ETF 2026 would deliver measurable outcomes — investment commitments, research collaborations, startup funding agreements, and cross-border partnerships as well as tangible economic and social impacts.

“Gov. Mbah’s broader economic transformation agenda is clear: diversify the economy, expand digital skills training, modernise infrastructure, and attract global investment.

“Enugu is ready to host the world. We look forward to four days of innovation, collaboration, and purposeful dialogue that will help shape the digital future of our state and our nation,” he added