
News
Enugu Tech festival 2026 surpassed expectations with over 53,000 participants
The second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2.0) has ended on a historic note, drawing a record-breaking 53,000 physical participants and reinforcing Nigeria’s growing influence in the global digital space.
Held from February 24 to 27, 2026 at the Enugu International Conference Centre, the four-day gathering surpassed its 50,000 attendance target, with organisers confirming strong online participation from across the world.
The event ranked among the top five globally trending conversations on social media during its run.

Governor Peter Mbah addressing the Enugu Tech Festival 2026 participants
Convener of the festival and Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, described the turnout as proof that Enugu’s digital vision is gaining real traction.

“We set out to inspire 50,000 innovators, thinkers, founders and investors. Seeing nearly 60,000 people actively engaged shows that African tech is moving beyond talk to real impact,” he said.
Organisers revealed that Day One recorded 20,000 participants, followed by 15,000 on Day Two, 13,000 on Day Three and 5,000 on the final day — each carefully structured around governance, investment, emerging technologies and ecosystem building.
With the theme, “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” the festival symbolically linked Enugu’s coal heritage to its emerging identity as a digital hub.
Governor Peter Mbah, who declared the festival open, delivered a keynote that set the tone for the event. He described the global tech revolution as an economic renaissance powered by ideas, code and data rather than physical assets.
Referencing global giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet Inc., Amazon and Meta Platforms, the governor said Enugu would not remain a spectator. “We will be participants. We will be producers,” he declared.
Day Two shifted attention to entrepreneurship and capital, featuring a curated “Deal Room” where startups met venture capitalists from Lagos, Nairobi, London and Dubai.
Though investment figures were not disclosed, several founders reportedly secured follow-up funding engagements.
Dr Ezeh described the initiative as a bridge between talent and capital, noting that Enugu is positioning itself as the investment gateway to Southeast Nigeria’s technology corridor.
The third day focused on artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web3 technologies, with a live hackathon producing solutions in fintech, healthcare diagnostics and climate-smart agriculture.
Panels also debated responsible AI governance and decentralised finance regulation.
Skills development remained central throughout the festival, as hundreds of young participants underwent hands-on training in software engineering, cloud computing and blockchain development.
The closing ceremony combined innovation showcases with awards and cultural performances, highlighting the fusion of technology and creative expression.
Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, reaffirmed federal commitment to strengthening the nation’s innovation ecosystem, stressing that research commercialisation and youth entrepreneurship are key to economic diversification.
Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, described ETF 2.0 as a landmark achievement that has elevated Enugu’s global standing.
Hundreds of laptops and tablets were distributed to outstanding participants, while selected startups received N10 million grants each to accelerate product development.
Additional teams secured smaller grants to support training, prototype development and community tech hubs.
“Inspiration without tools is incomplete,” Dr Ezeh said, emphasising that the festival was designed not just to motivate but to equip young innovators with tangible resources.
News
2027 Election: Yilwatda apologises to aggrieved Oyo APC members, seeks unity
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has apologised to aggrieved members over perceived wrongs during the party’s internal primaries, saying the National Working Committee (NWC) takes responsibility for such actions.
Yilwatda, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Ibadan during the launch of the APC governorship candidate campaign office in Ibadan, appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the party’s primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the party.
“This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.
“If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On TV, before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry,” he said.

The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair.
Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.
Speaking, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, commended the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.
Alli expressed appreciation to Yilwatda for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish.
He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.
“We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,” Alli said.
He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do the needful.
Earlier, mammoth crowd of members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered in Ibadan on Thursday as the party’s national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, officially inaugurated the party’s governorship campaign office in Dandaru, along the Total Garden-Mokola Road, Ibadan.
The inauguration formed part of activities marking the APC National Chairman’s two-day official visit to Oyo State, which commenced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Party members from across the 33 local government areas of the state converged on the venue to witness the official inauguration of the campaign office and welcome the national chairman.
The campaign office will serve as the secretariat of the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
Business
AFRAA welcomes Enugu Air, strengthens Nigeria’s Domestic Aviation growth
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as Member, extending the Association’s membership base in Nigeria’s fast-growing domestic aviation market and reaffirming AFRAA’s commitment to supporting the continued development of African carriers across the continent.
This was announced by AFRAA in Nairobi on Wednesday, making Enugu Air the 50th Member of the association, joining the AFRAA airline fraternity, collectively representing more than 85 per cent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
Speaking on the occasion, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, said, “We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity.

“As a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market, Enugu Air represents the kind of homegrown investment that is vital to building resilient air connectivity across our continent.

“We look forward to supporting the airline through the IOSA certification process and to its continued growth within the AFRAA membership, as we work together to advance the cause of unified African skies.”
Reacting to the development, the CEO of Enugu, Capt Tolu Ita, described the admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in the airline’s short history.
“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market.
“We look forward to collaborating with fellow AFRAA members and leveraging the association’s support as we grow our network and pursue IOSA certification,” Tolu stated.
Founded on July 7, 2025, Enugu Air commenced commercial operations with a fleet of Embraer E170/E190/E195 aircraft.
The airline, which has its headquarters in Enugu and operates from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, currently serves nine domestic destinations including Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Benin City.
As part of the airline’s growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
As part of its growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
The admission of Enugu Air aligns with AFRAA’s strategic priorities and strengthens the voice of the association. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, remains central to the realization of a truly integrated African aviation market.
Meanwhile, founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.
The association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable air transport industry in Africa, where African airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.
AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators.
The association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
News
Aiyedatiwa appoints 1,004 aides, picks commissioner, three advisers
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a fresh round of appointments involving a commissioner, three Special Advisers and 1,000 other aides.
The appointments comprise 90 Senior Special Assistants and 910 Special Assistants, with the governor saying the move is intended to reinforce his administration and improve its reach across the state.
Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, has been nominated as Commissioner for Special Duties. Her nomination has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.
The governor also appointed Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment, Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport.
Among those named as Senior Special Assistants are Erelu Toyin Ogungbure, Women Mobilisation (South); Bidemi Obayangbon, Forestry; Gboluge Olufunmi Alex, Community Engagement (South); Hon. Akin Adeniyi, Community Engagement (Central); and Obayan Theophilus Ayodeji, Community Engagement (North).

Others include Kelvin Solomon, Students Affairs; Adeolu Iwakun, Volunteer Services; Samson Job Bazuaye, Oil and Gas; Fade Ojamomi, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation; Sam Adepoju, Public Engagement; and Alhaji Samad Orijeminiyi, Scholarship.
Also appointed are Victor Omodara, Grassroots Mobilisation; Abayomi Adefolalu, Photography; and Alhaji Abdukadiri Adenoyi, Prince Nzuoma Egbulefu and Alhaji Garba Goni, all for Non-Indigenes.
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