Enugu to Establish Universities of Education and Agriculture, Says Governor Mbah
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has announced plans to establish two new universities in the state as part of his administration’s sweeping reforms in education and agriculture. The proposed institutions a University of Education and a University of Agriculture are intended to strengthen Enugu’s human capital development and boost its agro-economic transformation.
Governor Mbah made the disclosure during recent public engagements where he reaffirmed his commitment to reshaping Enugu’s education landscape and unlocking the state’s vast agricultural potential. According to the governor, the government has already laid the groundwork to convert the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, into a fully-fledged University of Agriculture within the next two years. He said the university would focus on agricultural innovation, food processing, and value-chain development, with a curriculum tailored to equip students with modern agribusiness and farming techniques.
He also revealed that the state is working towards establishing a University of Education to address the shortage of qualified teachers and improve the quality of learning across the state. While a timeline for the University of Education is yet to be officially announced, Governor Mbah noted that it would serve as a centre for training educators, conducting research in pedagogy, and developing new instructional models aligned with international standards.
The governor’s announcements reflect his broader strategy of using education and agriculture as pillars of economic development. His administration has already devoted 33% of the 2024 state budget to education far surpassing UNESCO’s recommended benchmark and has launched reforms across all levels of learning. This includes a transition to experiential learning models, digital classrooms under the “Smart Green Schools” initiative, and curriculum revamps across tertiary institutions.
In agriculture, Enugu has allocated over 300,000 hectares of land to support commercial farming and agro-processing hubs. The state has also attracted significant funding through partnerships with national and international agencies, including IFAD and APPEALS, to support farmers and agripreneurs. The proposed University of Agriculture will be expected to serve as a research and training hub supporting these initiatives and supplying skilled manpower to drive the state’s food security goals.
Governor Mbah emphasized that the vision behind the new universities goes beyond mere institution-building. “We are laying the foundations for a generation of problem-solvers young people who will not just seek jobs but create them, in classrooms and on farmlands,” he said.
The move has been widely praised by educationists, development partners, and policy analysts, who view the initiative as timely and strategic. Many believe the establishment of the universities will not only strengthen academic capacity in Enugu but also stimulate economic activity in rural areas through increased infrastructure, employment, and innovation.
With these announcements, Enugu State positions itself as a sub-national model for leveraging education and agriculture to drive long-term prosperity. As implementation begins, the success of these new institutions will depend on sustained funding, institutional autonomy, and alignment with broader state development goals.
