From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Enugu is set to host the maiden edition of the Enugu Tech Festival, a groundbreaking event aimed at positioning the state as a major player in Nigeria’s fast-growing technology and innovation space.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, who made this known yesterday during a press briefing, said the festival is scheduled to hold from May 7 to 9, 2025, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
He said the festival would attract some of the biggest names in the Nigerian tech and policy landscape, including two federal ministers, including the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.
Both ministers are expected to deliver keynote speeches that could shape Nigeria’s digital future.
He said: “Their attendance is not just ceremonial, they will be delivering keynote addresses that are expected to help shape the digital policy direction for Nigeria over the next decade.
“Their presence reflects the Federal Government’s growing interest in decentralising innovation and empowering states like Enugu to take the lead.”
Ezeh added that Governor Peter Mbah, under whose administration the event is being organised, has thrown his full weight behind the initiative, adding that he was committed to turning Enugu into a globally competitive tech hub.
He announced that the three-day event would feature a lineup of speakers, including tech billionaire and Zinox Technologies , Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh; globally acclaimed engineer and former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji.
Others include venture capitalist and entrepreneur, Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana); Lagos Angel Network co-founder, Harry Tomi Davies and several other tech leaders, such as Ugochukwu Aronu, Kingsley Eze, Patrick Asuama and Napa Onwusah.
“This festival is not simply about speeches. It is about action. The programme includes hands-on workshops for young developers and innovators, a state-of-the-art tech exhibition, featuring startups and scale-ups from across the country, and perhaps, most crucially, a high-stakes Investment Deal Room where startups will engage directly with local and international investors.
“We expect participants from across sectors, including software developers, engineers, students, startup founders, investors, academia and policymakers. We encourage everyone not just to attend, but to come prepared to connect, collaborate, pitch, learn, and perhaps, even to pivot,” he said.