ENUGU’S ₦1.62 TRILLION GAMBLE: CAN MBAH’S REVENUE BOOM SUSTAIN THE 2026 TRANSFORMATION AGENDA? скачать в хорошем качестве

ENUGU’S ₦1.62 TRILLION GAMBLE: CAN MBAH’S REVENUE BOOM SUSTAIN THE 2026 TRANSFORMATION AGENDA?

Tonight on Eastern Eye, we turn our focus to Enugu State, a place once defined by coal mines and civil service calm, now rebranding itself as a bold experiment in modern African governance. At the heart of this transformation is Governor Peter Mbah’s headline-grabbing ₦1.62 trillion 2026 budget, a financial roadmap that signals ambition on a scale rarely seen at the subnational level in Nigeria. But beyond the impressive figures lies a deeper story: how did Enugu get here, and can it keep this momentum alive? In just one year, the state’s internally generated revenue surged by 221%, a leap that has turned heads in economic and political circles alike. Roads are being reconstructed, digital infrastructure is expanding, smart schools are rising, and farm estate projects are redefining rural productivity. Enugu is no longer whispering about development, it is speaking in capital letters. Yet, as the cranes rise and budgets expand, so do the questions. Is this growth sustainable? Can internally generated revenue continue to carry such weight in an uncertain national fiscal climate? This episode examines the drivers behind Enugu’s budget performance, from aggressive revenue reforms and investment-friendly policies to a governance style that emphasizes speed, structure, and scale. We explore how the state is attempting to shift from traditional allocation dependence to a model powered by productivity, private sector confidence, and long-term planning. But transformation is not just about highways and headline numbers. The bigger test is whether these massive investments will translate into real, inclusive prosperity for the nearly four million residents who call Enugu home. Will job creation keep pace with infrastructure growth? Can rural communities feel the impact as strongly as urban centers? And as federal allocations fluctuate and global economic pressures persist, does Enugu have the fiscal resilience to stay the course? Joining us for this critical conversation are two key voices at the center of the state’s reform engine: Sandra George, Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue Generation and Monitoring, and Dr. Collins Ogbu, Esq., Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Strategic Communications. Together, they help unpack the numbers, the strategy, and the vision behind what many are calling one of the most ambitious state-level development agendas in Nigeria today. This is more than a budget breakdown. It’s a front-row seat to a state trying to rewrite its economic destiny, balancing optimism with accountability, ambition with sustainability, and transformation with inclusion. Stay with Eastern Eye as we ask the tough questions, spotlight the bold moves, and track whether Enugu’s fiscal story becomes a model for others, or a cautionary tale in the making. #afiatvofficial #dstv254 #gotv17 #easterneye #enugustate #petermbah #EnuguBudget2026 #nigeriaeconomy #IGR #governance #economictransformation #afiatv #publicpolicy