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 participants.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Monday, Ezeh, who also convened the festival, said the turnout highlighted Nigerians’ increasing confidence in technology and innovation as drivers of the future.
The four-day event, themed “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form”, took place 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 said the event attracted physical participants and hundreds online, marking unprecedented digital engagement for an African technology convergence.
“We set out to inspire 50,000 innovators, thinkers, founders, investors and digital talents.
“To see nearly 60,000 people here in real time not registrations but actual engagement, shows the African tech narrative is shifting,” Ezeh said.
He said 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 each day of the festival centered on a specific theme and showcased speakers from government, global tech companies, start-ups, and academic institutions.
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Ezeh also stated that the Federal Government reaffirmed its support for youth-led technology ventures to drive innovation across the country.
He quoted the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, as saying: “We are strengthening Nigeria’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem.
“Research commercialisation and youth entrepreneurship are central to our economic diversification strategy.”
Ezeh said the festival’s most tangible legacy was youth empowerment, with hundreds receiving laptops and tablet devices.
He said the devices were awarded to top hackathon performers, student innovators and emerging developers after competitive assessments.
“In a further boost, select start-up founders and innovation teams received ₦10 million grants each.
“Additional groups secured grants worth several hundreds of thousands of naira for digital training, prototype development and community technology hubs.
“These initiatives move beyond symbolism. Inspiration without tools is incomplete. We are placing real resources in capable hands,” he said.
NAN