The Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, has revealed that the Enugu Tech Festival 2026 drew 53,000 attendees, surpassing its projected 50,000 individuals.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Monday, Ezeh, who additionally convened the competition, mentioned the turnout highlighted Nigerians’ rising confidence in expertise and innovation as drivers of the long run.
The four-day occasion, themed “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form”, happened from February 24 to 27.
He described it as “a resounding validation of Enugu’s vision to become a tech-innovation trailblazer in Africa”.
Ezeh mentioned the occasion attracted bodily individuals and tons of on-line, marking unprecedented digital engagement for an African expertise convergence.
“We got down to encourage 50,000 innovators, thinkers, founders, traders and digital abilities.
“To see nearly 60,000 people here in real time not registrations but actual engagement, shows the African tech narrative is shifting,” Ezeh mentioned.
He mentioned 20,000 attended on Day One, 15,000 on Day Two, 13,000 on Day Three and 5,000 on Day Four.
He added that every day of the competition centered on a selected theme and showcased audio system from authorities, international tech firms, start-ups, and educational establishments.
READ ALSO Nigerian Government Trains 900 Enugu Youths on Digital Skills
Ezeh additionally said that the Federal Government reaffirmed its assist for youth-led expertise ventures to drive innovation throughout the nation.
He quoted the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, as saying: “We are strengthening Nigeria’s science, expertise and innovation ecosystem.
“Research commercialisation and youth entrepreneurship are central to our economic diversification strategy.”
Ezeh mentioned the competition’s most tangible legacy was youth empowerment, with tons of receiving laptops and pill gadgets.
He mentioned the gadgets have been awarded to high hackathon performers, pupil innovators and rising builders after aggressive assessments.
“In an additional enhance, choose start-up founders and innovation groups obtained ₦10 million grants every.
“Additional teams secured grants price a number of tons of of 1000’s of naira for digital coaching, prototype improvement and neighborhood expertise hubs.
“These initiatives move beyond symbolism. Inspiration without tools is incomplete. We are placing real resources in capable hands,” he mentioned.
NAN