By Gbenga Bada
When Governor Peter Mbah officially secured the hosting rights for the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards on August 15, 2026, it was not just a win for the entertainment industry; it was the clearest signal yet that the Coal City is reclaiming its crown as the tourism capital of the South-East.
As November approaches, the anticipation is palpable. Nollywood’s biggest stakeholders, actors, and producers are preparing to descend on Enugu. But they will not be meeting the Enugu of the past. They will be stepping into a radically transformed state, driven by Governor Mbah’s audacious vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to a staggering $30 billion by positioning tourism as a core economic pillar.
With a robust ₦22.5 billion tourism budget for 2026, the state government has been quietly but aggressively turning Enugu into a cinematic and recreational paradise, creating the ultimate backdrop for a pan-Nigerian mega-event like the BON Awards.
For an industry that thrives on aesthetics, hospitality, and logistics, Governor Mbah’s infrastructural milestones seem perfectly choreographed for Nollywood’s premier night. The stars arriving in November will experience the newly launched Enugu Air, part of a massive transport overhaul designed to funnel international and domestic traffic straight into the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
Once in the city, the hospitality waiting to receive the continent’s finest filmmakers is unprecedented. The historic Hotel Presidential, abandoned for 15 years, was completely reconstructed to world-class standards and reopened in August 2026. Coupled with the newly completed 5,000-seat International Conference Centre (ICC) and the ongoing construction of its adjoining 345-room 5-star hotel, Enugu now boasts the heavy-duty hospitality infrastructure required to host thousands of high-net-worth visitors comfortably.
The BON Awards offers a unique, globally televised opportunity to spotlight the six major tourism sites currently being developed by the Mbah administration. Film producers and directors attending the awards are constantly scouting for breathtaking locations, and Enugu is ready to deliver.
Delegates and nominees will have the opportunity to explore the legendary Awhum Waterfall and Monastery, soon to be accessible via the groundbreaking 5.32km Okpatu-Awhum Cable Car, one of the longest in Africa. They will see the towering canopy walkways at the Nsude Pyramids, the historic Lejja Ancient Iron-Smelting Site, and the serene Ngwo Pine Forest, which now features Nigeria’s first 400-metre zipline.
Even within the city limits, attractions like the Landmark Nike Lake Resort, now featuring West Africa’s second Upside-Down House, and the historically rich Centre for Memories (Ncheta Ndigbo) provide compelling narratives for visitors.
November in Enugu is shaping up to be an economic masterclass. Just as the BON Awards wraps up, the state will transition into hosting the 23rd National Sports Festival, the “Coal City Games,” beginning November 27. The newly reconstructed Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the 1,000-bed Awgu Games Village will be buzzing with life.
None of this would be possible without the administration’s zero-tolerance policy on insecurity and its commitment to infrastructure, such as the rapid dualisation of the Opi-Nsukka road to ensure seamless, safe travel for tourists.
Governor Mbah has not merely built tourist attractions; he has synchronised airlines, hotels, road networks, and security into a single, breathing economic machine aiming for 3 million annual visitors.
Since the Governor threw his weight behind the BON Awards this past August, the entertainment industry has eagerly awaited the rollout of the state’s hosting protocols. With the clock ticking toward November, it is obvious that the state’s administrative machinery aligns completely with the Governor’s proactive vision. The BON Awards is more than an event; it is the grand unveiling of Governor Peter Mbah’s $30 billion tourism economy to the world. Nollywood is ready for Enugu, and thanks to the Governor’s foresight, Enugu is undoubtedly ready for the world.
