Enugu State Government has intensified efforts to reposition the state as a medical tourism hub with the development of a 300-bed quaternary Enugu State International Hospital, designed to attract patients from across Africa and reduce outbound medical travel.
The governor of the state, Dr Peter Mbah disclosed this on Tuesday during a media chat held as part of the second round of the Presidential Media Tour of Projects in the South-East geopolitical zone, which commenced last Saturday.
The Governor said the hospital is a key component of a broader economic strategy aimed at transforming Enugu into a destination for investment, tourism, healthcare and business.
He explained that the administration’s development blueprint is anchored on three pillars: exponential economic growth, poverty eradication, and making Enugu a top choice for tourism and investment.
According to him, the state is targeting economic expansion from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years, while also working to reduce poverty from 58 per cent to zero within the same period.
He said these goals are being pursued through disruptive innovation and strategic government intervention that enables private sector participation.
Mbah noted that security remains central to the state’s investment drive, stressing that no meaningful development can occur without safety.
He recalled that the administration adopted a technology-driven security strategy to address insecurity challenges, including the disruption caused by the sit-at-home order in the South-East.
The governor noted that the state invested heavily in artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance systems, drones, and real-time monitoring infrastructure integrated into a central Command and Control Centre. The system, according to him, covers key locations across the state and feeds live intelligence to security operatives.
“We will catch you. It is just a matter of time,” the Governor said, adding that the security architecture has contributed significantly to the reduction in criminal activities across Enugu State.
Mbah further explained that the Enugu State Security Trust Fund plays a key role in financing security technology, including surveillance equipment and drones used by security agencies.
On healthcare, the Governor said the quaternary hospital is designed to capture a share of the global medical services market, estimated at about $2 billion, adding that Enugu intends to secure at least 10 per cent of that market.
He said the facility will provide advanced diagnostic and treatment services, including CT scans, PET scans, oncology care, and specialist medical education, positioning it as one of the most advanced healthcare centres in the region.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, who also spoke during the tour, said the hospital was deliberately designed to function as the apex of the state’s healthcare system. He explained that all primary health centres, general hospitals and tertiary institutions in the state are structured to feed into the facility.
He described the hospital as the “ocean” of the state’s health system, adding that partnerships are being developed to attract top medical professionals globally.
“We are building a system that can treat even heads of state across Africa,” he said.
The Governor also highlighted progress in other sectors, including education, smart schools, aviation, tourism and urban development, noting that all projects are interconnected under a single economic transformation agenda.
He stated that the administration has constructed over 7,000 classrooms and established 267 smart schools equipped with modern learning tools such as robotics labs, artificial intelligence systems and digital learning platforms.
Mbah added that education remains the largest budget priority of the state, with about 33 per cent of expenditure allocated to the sector over the last three budget cycles.
The tour also featured demonstrations of Smart Green Schools, where students engage in experiential learning using technology, shifting away from traditional rote methods to practical, problem-solving approaches.
He said teacher retraining remains central to sustaining the reforms, with a dedicated centre established to equip educators with skills in emerging technologies such as AI, robotics and mechatronics.
On urban development, officials showcased the Enugu Smart City project, a 10,000-hectare development designed to decongest the old city and create a modern investment destination.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the project is designed to transform Enugu into a globally competitive smart city, with modern infrastructure and a world-class urban layout.
The Managing Director of the New Enugu City Development Authority, Mrs. Nkeiru Arum, said the project will feature underground utilities, 24-hour power supply, fibre-optic connectivity, central sewage systems and smart metering for water and gas.
She added that the project is structured as a public-private partnership, with government providing enabling infrastructure while private investors drive full-scale development.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ben Osy Okoh, described the project as one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings by any state government in Nigeria.
He said phase one alone covers 3,000 hectares and includes over 100 kilometres of road networks, noting that the quality and scale of work surpass comparable developments in other major cities.
He added that the city is being developed with fully integrated underground infrastructure, eliminating overhead cables and ensuring long-term sustainability.
According to him, the administration is determined to complete key phases of the project within record time, adding that Enugu is on course to become one of Africa’s most planned and modern cities.
