How Nsukka Can Become Enugu’s Second City
… get Nsukka on the fast track of the development befitting of its status
Nsukka, a local government headquarters in Enugu State, Nigeria, is most widely known for being the location of the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. However, it is also home to an estimated 950,000 with towns like Obollo Afor, Opi and Enugu-Ezike yet it appears to be a city caught in a limbo of development.
Like most places populated by Igbo people, trade is one of the biggest enterprises in the town. At night, the town sleeps pretty early compared to most of its counterparts that are locations for tertiary institutions with the same status the University of Nigeria. The natives retire early, taking their businesses along with them and throwing the town into sleep.
Despite being home to one of the biggest universities in Nigeria, one can argue that it has not lived up to the developmental expectations that many would expect of her. In the environment around the school, empty lands still abound while the majority of over 36, 000 students of the school, nestling in the town, fight for the limited living spaces. This cannot, in all honesty, be attributed to the failings of the government.
In 2016, His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, hosted the Nsukka Trade Fair geared towards supporting business ventures that would promote opportunities for both local and international businesses. The Trade Fair was themed, ‘Promoting SMEs and Agriculture for National Recovery. Also, from the development of the road infrastructure in the town since the governor took over the reins of power, his resolve to develop the sleeping town of Nsukka shines through.
What then could be the problem of the town that has refused to live up to expectations placed on it?
Sadly, it is not uncommon to see a trader in the school environment of Nsukka lose a customer to something as little as not having ‘change’. It is almost as if the trader is reluctant to keep up with the pace of his own business. This attitude is also seen in the lack of provision of accommodations for students who choose to live outside the campus.
It seems like the average entrepreneur remains blind to the business opportunities that abound all over the town.
Only recently did buildings begin to come up in locations such as Odenigwe and Behind Flat. While some other places, like Odim, continue to be embarrassingly underdeveloped.
Furthermore, it becomes a ghost town once students leave school during the holidays. With every break, traders suffer low sales. Strikes become a nightmare, and the recent lockdown, brought about by the rampaging pandemic is an incident no Nsukka trader would ever want to experience again.
How can the entrepreneurs ensure that the town does not go to sleep whenever students leave? What can turn Nsukka into a city in Enugu, second only to the capital of the state itself?
It is pertinent to state that The University of Nigeria was established in the town of Nsukka in 1955, and over 64 years later, the town is still struggling to catch up with its counterparts in terms of development.
Nsukka needs to be roused from its sleeping state and become known for something else, other than just being the location for The University of Nigeria.
The government seems to be doing its best to make Nsukka into a city that is not just dependent on the presence of students to thrive seasonally.
The Enugu State Government have contributed greatly in the efforts to move Enugu State away from being a one-city state. This is the Nsukka town development project with numerous infrastructural works that have been developed or are in the development process such as the township stadium, secretariat and good road networks which are still being developed despite the pandemic
Electricity, one of the struggles suffered by the Nigerian majority is by far better in the different parts of Nsukka in comparison with other parts of Eastern Nigeria.
A businessman in the Ngwá Road part of Aba in Abia State would be glad to make use of the power offered to the people of Nsukka to run his business as fuel expenditures will be minimal and the good road network which is still being developed despite the pandemic.
Inhabitants of some neighboring states would be envious of the state of roads in Nsukka. These roads promote businesses greatly, but only if their advantages are fully explored.
It cannot be denied that there are few businessmen trying to tap into these opportunities. However, a tree does not make a forest, neither do few trees and if the town is to get to the height it deserves, then more needs to be done and the town entrepreneurs have to work together towards reaching this goal.
There are certain suggestions for entrepreneurs looking to turn Nsukka into a city that does not sleep or go into a coma with the departure of students.
The first and probably the most predictable is through the acquisition of loans for business purposes. Nsukka natives have powerful collaterals in the lands that abound all over the town, and with a well-outlined business plan, they can see themselves tapping into the numerous business opportunities in the town.
If the Nsukka entrepreneur is not comfortable with this, pooling resources together with other interested parties to set up businesses that would not only help them tap into profits lying about for anyone bold enough to reach for it but will also get Nsukka on the fast track of the development befitting of its status.
There is an unbelievable shock that comes with the realization that there is no cinema in the whole of Nsukka, a student environment. Often, students travel to Enugu town for recreation thereby causing lost revenue streams for the city.
Popular supermarkets like Shoprite, Spar and Roban exist in multiple numbers at choice locations all over the country, yet none exists in the town.
Also, digital Start-ups can merge to create formidable establishments such as tech hubs open to aspiring young technology enthusiasts who can compete favorably.
Aspiring entrepreneurs must tap into these golden opportunities to create recreational parks and fun hangout locations available for students and interested residents.
The recent establishment of transportation and logistics companies like God is Good Motors also bodes well for the city’s future.
If Nsukka is to become Enugu’s second city, the spirit of entrepreneurship is to be fanned from embers to full blazing flames to ensure its transformation into a well-deserved city status.
Getting the infrastructure in place helps in boosting not only the business vitality of the city but also helps in attracting new residents to serve in ensuring its prosperity.
Written by Ogechukwu Emmanuel
Originally published at http://discoverenugu042.wordpress.com on August 21, 2020.
