Enugu Govt. Investing Heavily On Education To Transform State To Knowledge-Based Economy, Says Gov. Mbah

By Cosmas Chukwu—

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has said that the state government is currently investing heavily in education to transform the state to knowledge-based economy and achieve rapid economic growth.

Mbah disclosed this in an address at the 43rd to 50th Consolidated Convocation of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, held on Saturday.

A total of 27,848 graduates of Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) Programmes within the stretch of eight years participated in the combined convocation.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Ifeanyi Ossai, noted that the government had been deliberate in constantly budgeting over 30 per cent of the budget yearly to education and its growth in all ramifications.

He commended the institute and its management for the innovations and initiatives to rebrand and reposition the institute, adding that the government would continue to support the advancement of learning and infrastructure in IMT.

For the graduating students, Mbah urged them to be the best nationally and globally as the institute remained the best in technological and management studies since 1965.

“All products of this institution I have personally worked with are the best in their chosen field and with excellent human character,” he said.

The governor urged the graduating students to ensure that they remain good ambassadors of the institution and “do well to give back to the institution as a mark of appreciation”.

Earlier, the Rector of IMT, Enugu, Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, said that he led management within one year to start a drive to rebrand the institution with “The New IMT Initiative”.

Ogbodo said, “This initiative is anchored on: digital transformation and smart-campus development; and entrepreneurship, innovation, and start-up incubation.

“Strengthening institutional culture, discipline, and academic integrity; student-centred learning and staff capacity development; and sustainable infrastructure and environmental responsibility.”

He said that the institution had repositioned its internally generated revenue through the production of IMT bread, tissue, and bottled water, as well as commercialised the use of the institute’s two water tankers and tractor.

Ogbodo said that his management team had prioritised institutional stability, transparency, and inclusive governance, while strengthening internal administrative processes and enhancing accountability mechanisms.

To the graduating students, the rector said that the graduation marks a new beginning in their lives, adding, “Your certificates are not just credentials; they are responsibilities to society.”

“The world you are entering demands integrity, creativity, resilience, and lifelong learning,” he added.