Commissioner Ezeh,
The Enugu State Government has praised the youth of the state for their massive turnout and impactful contributions to the success of the recently concluded Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2025).
Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, expressed this appreciation on Thursday in Enugu while delivering a preliminary report on the event.
The three-day tech-driven festival, themed “Coal to Code,” ran from May 7 to May 9, 2025, and attracted a wide range of participants including federal ministers, top tech innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, exhibitors, and government officials.
These stakeholders delivered talks encouraging young people to embrace innovation and technology.
“According to Ezeh, I have to give thumbs up to youths in Enugu State as they have proven quite well that they are highly interested in tech and innovation,” he said.
He revealed that the festival had a total of 15,000 registered youths, many of whom covered their own transportation costs to attend, remained present until the end of each day’s events, and listened attentively to gain knowledge and insight.
To manage the large crowd, the ministry relied on the support of 250 youth volunteers and 90 ETF brand ambassadors, who worked diligently and without compensation throughout the event’s duration.
“For the first day, we recorded an overwhelming 15,000 youths converging at the venue, which put some level of strains on resources at the centre,” the commissioner explained.
“The second day, we had over 6,000; and same number on the third day. They remained patient and attentively throughout the duration of the festival,” he added.
Dr. Ezeh also commended the organization of the festival, noting that essential logistics such as electricity and medical services were efficiently handled.
He stated, “There was a standby ambulance and para-medics on ground.”
Reflecting on the conduct and enthusiasm of the participants, Ezeh highlighted the youth’s growing interest in meaningful development and long-term goals.
He said, “Previously, you only see youths going to places to have fun and join in a musical jamborees and other places where freebies and political largesse are shared.
“But we have seen the reverse; and this is a good development for the state and entire country as our youths’ orientation is now on positive engagement and focusing on the real deal.
“We assured them training, which we have started to link them up to.
“They will be attached them to tech and innovative mentors while the festival provided the opportunities for them to network and connect with youths with same progressive mind and passion.”
The Commissioner emphasized that the state government is committed to nurturing this newfound passion by supporting further training, mentorship, and platforms for innovation-driven collaboration among young people.
