Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has unveiled plans to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the state’s historic and cultural landmarks, including Milliken Hills and Iva Valley. Speaking during a meeting with the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, Mbah outlined his administration’s commitment to positioning Enugu as a top tourism destination in Nigeria. He highlighted the state’s rich cultural heritage, natural attractions, and the economic potential of its waterfalls, caves, and rolling hills.
Mbah emphasized that Enugu has the highest concentration of waterfalls and caves in the country, pointing to Awhum waterfalls as a major highlight. “We aim to develop Awhum with a canopy walkway and introduce attractions such as a zipline at Iva Valley. Our goal is to create unique experiences that will draw tourists and make Enugu a must-visit destination,” the governor said. To further support tourism growth, Mbah revealed plans for a world-class theme park at Milliken Hills, already in the design phase.
As part of a broader strategy, Mbah set a target of attracting at least three million visitors annually to Enugu. He explained that developing infrastructure, such as the state-of-the-art International Conference Centre, would complement the natural attractions and solidify Enugu’s place as a hub for conferences and cultural events. “We are working to make Enugu the conference capital of Africa, while leveraging our natural resources to create a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry,” he stated.
In response, Minister Hannatu Musawa praised the governor’s vision, describing it as a step forward for the eastern region’s cultural and creative economy. “Enugu’s rich heritage and natural beauty offer immense opportunities, and we are ready to partner with the state to bring this vision to life,” Musawa said. She pledged the ministry’s full support in helping Enugu achieve global recognition for its historic sites.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State government has taken a significant step toward modernizing land management by launching the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS). The governor described it as a transformative initiative to streamline land transactions, eliminate revenue leakages, and attract investors. “With ENGIS, we are boosting transparency and ensuring ease of doing business in Enugu, further supporting our economic growth goals,” Mbah concluded.
