By Dr. Malachy Chuma Ochie,
In an era where digital technology defines global competitiveness, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is demonstrating that visionary leadership is not about rhetoric but about strategic action.
His administration’s decision to extend the Digital Literacy Training Programme to civil servants across all 17 local government areas is yet another proof that Enugu is on an irreversible path to modernization and smart governance.
The programme, executed through the Enugu SME Center and Office of Digital Economy (Enugu SME & Startup Agency), in partnership with Barr. Nana Ogbodo, Chairman of the Enugu Local Government Service Commission, marks a bold and transformative step in taking digital governance to the grassroots.
According to Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to the Governor on MSMEs and Digital Economy and Director-General of the Enugu SME Center, the ongoing onboarding of local government staff signifies a decisive phase in building a “future-ready civil service.”
This vision aligns squarely with Governor Mbah’s broader commitment to transforming Enugu State into a digital powerhouse, one that is efficient, transparent, and inclusive.
Governor Mbah is not one to shy away from the challenges of governance.
He is a focused leader, a pathfinder, a man sold completely to his vision of transforming Enugu State into a model of innovation-driven development.
He embodies the courage and foresight required to lead a sub-national government into the future.
Enugu State is, without doubt, blessed to have such a trailblazer at the helm; a governor who understands that the world has gone digital and that the greatest asset of any modern government is an informed and technologically literate workforce.
Those who dismiss digital literacy as a luxury in governance are, quite frankly, living in a bygone age. In today’s interconnected world; a world driven by artificial intelligence, data analytics, e-governance, and online service delivery; digital illiteracy is equivalent to administrative paralysis.
It hampers efficiency, frustrates innovation, and locks communities out of global opportunities.
Governor Mbah understands this reality and is determined to ensure that no local government, however remote, is left behind in Enugu’s digital transformation journey.
By empowering local government civil servants with digital skills, the Mbah administration is laying the groundwork for smart governance, where administrative processes are faster, service delivery is improved, and public accountability is enhanced.
This, in turn, will have ripple effects on productivity, investment attraction, and citizen engagement.
The economic implications are profound. A digitally literate civil service is better positioned to support entrepreneurs, process business permits seamlessly, and interface efficiently with investors.
As more public services move online, Enugu State’s business environment will become more transparent, responsive, and attractive to both local and foreign investors.
The result is a stronger economy driven by innovation, efficiency, and human capital development.
Governor Mbah’s strategy is not just about technology; it is about people. It is about building confidence among workers, creating opportunities for self-improvement, and fostering a culture of excellence across the public sector.
The emphasis on digital literacy underscores a new philosophy of governance in Enugu State: that progress begins with knowledge, and that knowledge must be shared widely, from the Lion Building to the remotest village.
As the digital literacy programme spreads across the 17 LGAs, Enugu is quietly reinventing itself from a civil service once defined by paperwork to one powered by data and innovation.
Governor Mbah’s bold steps affirm that he is not only a reformer but a visioner, one determined to leave an indelible mark on the sands of time.
Enugu’s future is digital, and under Peter Mbah’s leadership, that future is already unfolding.
Dr. Ochie, Public Affairs Analyst and Research Consultant, wrote from Maduka University, Ekwegbe-Nsukka
