Enugu State, on Monday, opened a new chapter in its educational journey as Governor Peter Mbah officially launched the transition from traditional primary and junior secondary schools to Smart Green Schools, his administration’s flagship initiative aimed at transforming learning in the state.

In a statewide broadcast to mark the milestone, Mbah described the shift as a deliberate move to equip Enugu children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to compete globally. “We are no longer a state waiting to be saved – we are a state shaping the future on our own terms,” he said, stressing that the initiative was both personal and transformative for him.

The governor highlighted that the Smart Green Schools were more than physical structures, but ecosystems of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Each school features about 25 digitally connected classrooms, ICT centres, robotics and AI labs, e-libraries, renewable energy, and smart farms where pupils learn agriculture hands-on. To ensure equity, every child receives free uniforms, meals, books, and tablets, while teachers are provided with on-site housing, clinics, and community facilities to deepen their commitment.

Mbah acknowledged the challenges of building 260 schools at once but assured residents that all schools would be operational this term. He urged communities to protect and cherish the facilities, noting that education remains the state’s strongest tool for building human capital. “Smart Green Schools are not just an investment in classrooms, but in the soul of our people. A generation raised in schools of innovation will build an economy of innovation,” he said.

With 33 per cent of Enugu’s budget dedicated to education, Mbah reaffirmed his covenant with the future, declaring that “Tomorrow is here” is not just a slogan but a promise to nurture a new generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders.