Enugu Tech Festival hits 53,000 record attendance, surpasses pre-festival target 

By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

The Enugu Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Lawrence Ezeh, says that the just-concluded Enugu Tech Festival 2026 recorded 53,000 attendees, surpassing initial pre-festival projection of 50,000.

Ezeh, who was the convener of the Enugu Tech Festival, told newsmen on Monday in Enugu that the upsurge in attendance to the festival, also known as ETF 2.0, showed Nigerians growing need and belief that tech-innovation holds the future.

The commissioner described the festival, which was held from Feb. 24 to Feb. 27 with the theme: “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form” as “a resounding validation of Enugu’s vision to become a technology trailblazer in Africa.”

He noted that the festival drew not only physical attendees but also hundreds of online participants from across the world; thus, an unprecedented level of digital engagement for an African tech-innovation convergence.

He said, “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 that the narrative around African tech is shifting beyond perception to meaningful participation and impact.”

Ezeh said that within the four days of the festival, 20,000 participants on Day 1, followed by 15,000 on Day 2, 13,000 on Day 3 and 5,000 on Day 4.

He noted that each day was curated around a central theme, drawing voices from government, global tech firms, startups and academia.

The Commissioner also resounded the Federal Government reaffirmed Federal Backing for youth-driven tech-innovation enterprises; thus, ensuring tech-innovation advancement for all Nigerians especially the youths.

He quoted the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, 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 noted the most tangible legacy of ETF 2.0 was its youth empowerment drive as hundreds of young participants received laptops and tablet devices.

He said that laptops and tablet devices were given to top hackathon performers, student innovators and emerging developers identified through competitive assessments.

Ezeh said, “In a further boost, select startup founders and innovation teams were awarded cash grants of ₦10 million each, aimed at accelerating product development and market entry. 

“Additional groups received grants running into several hundreds of thousands of naira to fund digital training, prototype development and community tech hubs.

“These initiatives were designed to move beyond symbolic recognition. Inspiration without tools is incomplete. We are placing actual resources in the hands of those who will shape the ecosyste