Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has charged civil servants in the state to embrace digital transformation or risk falling behind.

He spoke during the launch of the Government Capacity Building Programme, a three-day training initiative designed to modernise the state’s public sector through technology.

The programme brought together 110 public officials for intensive training on digital governance tools and practices.

The initiative is a collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Enugu’s Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology.

Mbah, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, stated that it marked a new era in the civil service, one that should be defined by speed, transparency, and accountability.

“The governor is working around the clock to make work easier for public and civil servants. In today’s government, we have significantly reduced the use of carbon and paper. This is what e-governance is all about, working smart, not hard,” he said.

Onyia emphasised that the Mbah administration is investing not just in systems, but in people. “The governor wants to give you the right training and the right tools to work, and to hold you responsible if you fail,” he said, calling on civil servants to “key into the governor’s vision for e-governance to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and prudence in all you do.

“The government wants Enugu State civil servants to work differently, every time, everywhere. You must avail yourself of every opportunity to improve yourself.

“This isn’t a one-time event. It’s the beginning of a new culture in Enugu, one that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement,” Onyia said.

Onyia also commended the Federal Ministry and KOICA for partnering with the state to make the training a reality, expressing optimism for future collaborations.

He offered special praise to the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, describing him as “a man who shines no matter where you place him.”

Commissioner Ezeh, in his address, described the training as “a transformative step” and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to delivering on the Governor’s digital agenda.

“This program aligns with global trends and reflects our determination to bring Enugu into the future of governance,” Ezeh said.

According to him, the training is part of a larger roadmap laid out by Governor Mbah to make Enugu one of Nigeria’s leading states in digital public service delivery.

The initiative also aligns with global movements toward sustainability and efficiency, as public institutions worldwide shift from analogue systems to tech-driven models.

The training modules covered a wide range of skills, including digital document management, data security, cloud computing, and inter-agency collaboration tools.

Participants are expected to apply their newly acquired skills within their respective ministries and departments, aiding in streamlining operations and minimising bureaucratic bottlenecks.