Governor Peter Mbah received the Doctor of Law, honoris causa, on Thursday during the university’s graduation ceremony at its Docklands Campus in London.
Presenting his citation, the Vice-Provost (Business) and Executive Dean, Royal Docks School of Business and Law, Prof. Fatima Ana-Diab, described Mbah as an outstanding alumnus whose leadership qualities were evident during his days as a law student and have continued to shape his career in business and public service.
Ana-Diab recalled that Mbah, who studied law at UEL more than two decades ago, served as President of the Students’ Law Society, where he helped transform the society into the university’s Most Productive Society of the Year.
She also noted that he represented students on the Students’ Representative Council and the School of Law Board, won the university’s Mooting Competition and represented UEL at the International Negotiation Competition.
According to her, Mbah graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2000 before returning to Nigeria, where he attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar.
His pursuit of further education, she added, saw him obtain a Master’s degree in Maritime and Commercial Law from Lagos State University, an MBA from IESE Business School in Spain, executive education at Lagos Business School and postgraduate training in Strategy and Innovation at the University of Oxford.
Ana-Diab said Mbah subsequently built a career spanning law, entrepreneurship and public service, including founding Pinnacle Oil and Gas and serving as Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Enugu State.
She said his election as Governor of Enugu State in May 2023 marked another chapter in a career shaped by law, business and public administration.
The university particularly commended Mbah’s emphasis on education, describing it as central to his vision of human and economic development.
“His administration has made significant investment in education and skills, seeking to move learning beyond traditional models and equip young people with the knowledge, competencies and confidence to participate in a changing global economy,” the citation stated.
The university also praised his contributions to investment, innovation, infrastructure, healthcare and community development, saying his journey demonstrated the transformative possibilities of education.
“Leadership is not defined simply by the positions we hold, but by what we choose to do with the knowledge, opportunities and influence entrusted to us,” Ana-Diab said.
In his acceptance speech, Mbah emphasised the importance of disruptive innovation, education and service, saying he had consistently refused to be limited by his circumstances.
“One quality has always mattered to me: the willingness to disrupt. I have never been particularly interested in accepting the limits of my inherited circumstances,” the governor said.
He, however, stressed that ambition must be guided by purpose and service.
“For me, that purpose is service, because there will always be mornings when ambition alone will not get you out of bed; and moments when the road becomes difficult and the rewards seem far away. At those moments, it matters to have something that transcends self,” he said.
Mbah said education had the power to expand people’s capacity to transform society, adding that the benefits of education should be used to create opportunities for others.
“That is why, today, we invest 33 per cent of our state budget in education. We are building schools, tech hubs and opportunities for young people to participate in an economy that is increasingly driven by knowledge, innovation and technology,” he stated.
The governor expressed appreciation to the University of East London for the honour, as well as for its contribution to his academic and personal development.