Governor Peter Mbah’s ambitious Smart School project in Enugu State, executed by luxury real estate developer Sujimoto, is now under scrutiny, with many questioning why billions were paid out without tangible results on the ground.
A recent report suggests that the supposed project sites were far from the high-tech learning environment that was earlier promised. Instead of bustling classrooms, half-completed structures, and abandoned foundations littered the landscape. For many stakeholders, the issue is not just about delayed infrastructure; it is about the destinies of children whose education and futures are being undermined.
Governor Mbah had unveiled the Smart Schools vision with much expectation, describing it as a transformative leap for education in Enugu State. The plan included 260 world-class schools across 17 LGAs, costing over N155 billion. Sujimoto, a brand better known for luxury high-rise buildings in Lagos, was chosen to execute the flagship schools. But two years later, citizens are left with questions rather than results.
Meanwhile, Governor Mbah has defended his vision but acknowledged the failures in execution. The Enugu State Government, in a recent statement, accused Sujimoto’s CEO, Sijibomi Ogundele, of “premeditated fraud.”
The State alleged that N5.76 billion was advanced to his firm, but little progress was recorded at the sites. The administration has since reassigned contracts to other firms.
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