The Enugu State Government has shown special interest in child education with a pledge to introduce school meals from 2026. The state has therefore set aside N30 billion for the purpose in its 2026 budget estimate.
The N30 billion is aimed at feeding about 260,000 pupils every school day in the 260 smart green schools built by the Governor Peter Mbaheh administration in the 260 electoral wards of the state.
Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Chris-Roberts Ozongwu disclosed this while presenting details of the N1.62 trillion 2026 budget estimates proposed by Governor Mbah in the state House of Assembly.
The Commissioner explained that the N30 billion school feeding program will ensure that every child gets a balanced meal every school day as part of the administration’s strategy to realize zero child malnutrition in the state.
“This initiative is designed not only to promote the well-being of our children, but also to strengthen their nutritional health, ensuring that every child receives a balanced diet that supports growth and learning.
By prioritizing nutrition, this program serves as an important measure in the fight against childhood malnutrition in our state, laying the foundation for healthier, more resilient future generations,” he said.
The commissioner also said the allocation of 32.27 per cent of the N1.62 trillion budget estimate for education was in line with Mbah’s commitment to invest in sectors that directly shape human development and long-term economic growth.
According to him, education remains the most reliable route to lifting people out of poverty, expanding opportunities and preparing Enugu for a knowledge-driven future.
Ojongwu said, “Education is at the heart of this budget because it is the most reliable route to lifting our people out of poverty and preparing Enugu for a knowledge-driven future. Governor Mbah has made it clear that development must impact lives before reflecting on the economy.”
Meanwhile, he said the government plans to spend N158 billion on the construction of 16 smart senior secondary schools, modern, technology-enhanced institutions that will redefine the way learning is done in the state.
N68 billion has also been proposed for the construction of 10 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools in Enugu. He said each school would be equipped with workshops, science laboratories, modern classrooms, hostel facilities and industry-grade equipment, with an aim to produce a skilled and job-ready generation of youth.
To maintain the technical education pipeline, the state is also dedicating N30 billion to equip and equip existing technical colleges.
Furthermore, to ensure access to quality learning facilities in urban and rural communities, N15 billion was earmarked to upgrade the existing 106 public secondary schools to model senior secondary schools, two in each of the six education zones in the first phase.
