…aims for zero child malnutrition
The Enugu State Government has allocated the sum of N30 billion in the 2026 budget estimates to feed about 260,000 pupils each school day in the 260 smart green schools built by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in the 260 constituencies of the state.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Barr. Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, presenting a breakdown of the N1.62 trillion 2026 budget estimates proposed by Governor Mbah to the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Ozongwu explained that the N30 billion school feeding program would ensure that every child receives a balanced meal every school day as part of the administration’s strategy to achieve zero child malnutrition in Enugu State.
“This initiative is designed not only to promote the well-being of our children, but also to strengthen their nutritional health, ensuring that each child receives balanced meals that support growth and learning.
“By prioritizing nutrition, the program serves as a critical measure in the fight against childhood malnutrition in our state, laying the foundation for healthier and more resilient future generations,” he said.
The Commissioner also said the allocation of 32.27 per cent of the N1.62 trillion budget estimates to education was in line with Mbah’s commitment to invest in sectors that most directly influence human development and long-term economic growth.
According to him, education remains the most reliable path to lift people out of poverty, expand opportunities and prepare Enugu for a knowledge-driven future.
“Education takes center stage in this budget because it remains the most reliable path to lift our people out of poverty and prepare Enugu for a knowledge-driven future. Governor Mbah has made it clear that development must first impact lives before it can be reflected in the economy.”
Meanwhile, he said the government plans to spend N158 billion on the construction of 16 smart senior secondary schools, modern and technology-enhanced institutions that will redefine how learning takes place in the state.
N68 billion has also been proposed for the construction of 10 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools across Enugu. He said each of the schools would be equipped with workshops, science laboratories, modern classrooms, hostel facilities and industrial-grade tools aimed at producing a generation of skilled and job-ready youth.
To sustain the technical education process, the state is also dedicating N30 billion to equipping and equipping existing technical schools.
In addition, N15 billion was allocated to upgrade the existing 106 public secondary schools into model senior secondary schools, two in each of the six educational zones of the first phase, to ensure access to quality learning facilities in urban and rural communities.
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