Enugu State on Monday witnessed a landmark shift in its education sector as Governor Peter Mbah’s administration officially commenced the transition from traditional primary and junior secondary schools to Smart Green Schools.
The initiative, described as ambitious and transformative, is designed to redefine learning in the state through world-class, technology-driven, and experiential education.
In a statewide broadcast to mark the launch, Governor Mbah emphasized the need to abandon outdated teaching models and embrace innovative methods that prepare young people for the future.
“We are no longer a state waiting to be saved; we are a state shaping the future on our own terms,” the governor declared.
Highlighting the broader vision behind the program, Mbah connected the Smart Green Schools project to Africa’s demographic advantage, noting that the continent’s strength lies in its youthful population.
“Africa today is the youngest continent in the world. More than 60% of our people are under the age of 25. By 2050, our population will reach 2.5 billion, and one in every three young people on earth will be an African.
“This is not just a statistic; it is a summons. It means that the destiny of African nations rests on what we nurture in the minds and hearts of our children.”
The Governor emphasized the need to raise children who are equipped with values, skills, and opportunities to shape the continent’s future.
“If we raise them well and leave them opportunity, when they inherit tomorrow, when they own it, they will shape it and defend it. If we fail them, no amount of slogans will save us.”
Mbah reiterated that his administration’s slogan, “Tomorrow is here,” is more than a campaign catchphrase; it is a guiding philosophy.
“It is the recognition that the sovereignty of our state, of Nigeria, and indeed of Africa, will be determined by the strength of our young people, their ability to think critically, to innovate, and to act with integrity.
“Our sovereignty begins in the classroom. It begins with how we choose to welcome the child into the world. And this takes time, care – and investment.”
Recalling his personal journey, Mbah spoke candidly about the power of education in his life.
“I had to journey from the slums of Port Harcourt, where every day was a struggle and nothing was guaranteed,” he shared.
“Education and resilience were my passport to a life of possibility.”
He stressed that no child in Enugu should have to overcome poverty to access quality education.
“At home and at school, when a community receives and educates each child as a whole human being, it is akin to public service at the deepest level.
“The habits a child rehearses, attention, curiosity, patience, empathy, self-belief, become the civic habits of our culture.
“A school day shaped by rhythm, responsibility, and care quietly trains the nervous system for self-regulation and the social muscle for cooperation.
“Those capacities later show up as lower violence, stronger communities, and a public square that can tolerate disagreement without tearing itself apart.
“The school, then, is not just a service; it is a commons where the human village renews itself.”
Describing the Smart Green Schools as the most personal and transformative project of his administration, Mbah said, “They are not only schools, they are my promise of a new society; my covenant with the Enugu child. In them, Tomorrow Is Here finds its truest form.”
He outlined the comprehensive features of the schools:
“Each of the 260 schools is designed as a complete ecosystem for learning. ‘Smart’ means integrating technology, critical thinking, and problem-solving into every subject.
“Each has about 25 digitally-connected modern classrooms, ICT centres, robotics and AI labs, e-libraries, and spaces for experiential learning.”
“They are ‘green’ because they have renewable energy sources and smart farms where children plant, grow, and harvest, learning agriculture not as theory but as practice.”
“And they are inclusive. Every child is provided with free uniforms, books, meals, and tablets. Each school has its own medical clinic, reliable water systems, and community halls that anchor the school in village life.
“Housing for teachers is on-site so that the best educators live within the communities they serve, ensuring continuity of care and commitment.”
Mbah described the schools as more than physical infrastructure:
“Smart Green Schools are not just an investment in classrooms, but in the soul of our people. The habits a child rehearses, of curiosity and collaboration, become the civic habits of the culture.
“A generation raised in schools of innovation will build an economy of innovation. A generation raised in classrooms of fairness will create a politic of justice.
“So, those buildings are beyond mere bricks; we see in them children eagerly looking forward to the future.”
He contrasted the new learning model with the old system:
“In the old system, a child could pass through six years of schooling and still be limited to memorising theories on a chalkboard. In the new model, the classroom is a creativity hub; learning becomes experiential; theory meets practice, and knowledge is translated into tangible skills; children can put into practice what they have learnt.”
While acknowledging some setbacks in rolling out all 260 schools simultaneously, Governor Mbah assured the public that the government is fully committed to completing the project.
“This journey has not been easy. We know that every Smart Green School is not yet complete. There have been setbacks, delays, and challenges to overcome.
“While some schools will open today, some will open next week, and yet some more in a fortnight.
“We do not claim perfection. What we do claim is resolve.
“We set out with a bold vision, and boldness sometimes requires a little more time. But by all means, every school shall be open this term. No school’s academic calendar will be interrupted. We have planned for every contingency.
“Make no mistake: we will deliver. Because attending a Smart Green School – even if it means waiting a few more weeks – is worth it. It is the transformation of a lifetime for our children, and we ask for your patience as we finish the work. We’re doubling down on our commitment.”
Governor Mbah appealed to communities across the state to take ownership of the schools and help safeguard their future.
“These schools are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring world-class education home to Enugu. Cherish them. Defend them. Guard them as a community.
“Take shared responsibility for our future, which is walking in on two small feet every time a child enters these gates.
“Support the teachers, the custodians and guardians of our future farmers, entrepreneurs, nurses, artists, engineers, lawyers, and leaders.
“They are the cornerstone of this transformation. Equipment and buildings matter, but machines do not teach; people do.”
He added that the state government had invested in teacher training, mentorship, and resources to support the new model of education.
Justifying the allocation of 33% of the state budget to education, Mbah said “The wealth of human potential is the truest capital of our society.”
(Daily Gazette)
