Governor Peter Mbah has vowed that his administration will not only meet but exceed the projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target of ₦600 billion for 2025, a promise that underpins his government’s ambitious plans for state development.
During an investiture ceremony held Saturday night in Enugu – an event marked by both celebration and renewed commitment to economic transformation – Mbah reiterated his vision of an economy evolving from its current size of $4.4 billion to a striking $30 billion. “Achieving this target requires a 27 per cent compounded annual growth rate, and some questioned how it could be realised,” he recalled, acknowledging the skepticism that greeted his administration’s bold projections.
Since taking office, Governor Mbah’s administration has shifted its focus from relying on federal allocations to mobilizing domestic revenue. “When we took over, the state’s IGR was about ₦25 billion. This year, our projected IGR is ₦600 billion, and based on the numbers we are seeing, we are not only going to meet this target but surpass it,” he asserted. This substantial revenue growth, Mbah contended, would fuel transformative interventions across sectors ranging from education and healthcare to infrastructural development.
A centerpiece of the evening was the inauguration of the newly remodeled Enugu Sports Club clubhouse—a project championed by Chief Nnanna Atuonwu, the club’s outgoing chairman. The revamped facility stands as a symbol of both rejuvenated community spirit and the government’s commitment to bolstering recreational infrastructure. In light of Enugu State’s preparations to host the 2026 National Sports Festival, plans are also afoot to renovate key sporting venues including the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Sports Village. “We are going to build a brand-new stadium, which will include facilities for aquatic sports,” Mbah announced, adding that the upgrade of Awgu Sports Village will ensure readiness for the forthcoming festival.
Atuonwu, speaking on the club’s revitalisation, lauded Governor Mbah for his decisive intervention. “Before the renovation, the main hall was in a state of disrepair, with a leaking roof, rotten wood, and corroded iron structures. When we turned to the governor for assistance, he did not hesitate,” he recalled. Atuonwu also advocated for the establishment of a Trust Fund to safeguard the club’s long-term financial independence and sustainability.
New club patrons, including Ms. Edna Erinne, Chief Kingsley Eze, Dr. David Ogbodo, and Chief Festus Onu, were installed during the event, marking a fresh chapter for the historic institution that dates back to 1929. Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, who chaired the occasion and also serves as Secretary of the Police Service Commission, praised the remarkable transformation under Atuonwu’s leadership and expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah for his instrumental role in the club’s development.
Governor Mbah’s sweeping promises to exceed the IGR target and his investments in infrastructure signal a strategic push for inclusive growth, one that is intended to integrate all parts of Enugu State into a unified economic framework. As fiscal policies pivot towards self-sustainability and domestic revenue mobilization, the state appears poised for a period of dynamic change—a development closely watched by both local stakeholders and national observers alike.
