East London Varsity Confers Honorary Doctorate on Mbah

LONDON — The University of East London (UEL), United Kingdom, on Thursday conferred an honorary Doctor of Law degree on Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, recognising his academic record, leadership, entrepreneurship and public service.

Mbah received the honour, honoris causa, during a graduation ceremony at UEL’s Docklands Campus in London, where the university highlighted his achievements as a former law student and his subsequent career in law, business and government.

Presenting his citation, the Vice-Provost (Business) and Executive Dean, Royal Docks School of Business and Law, Prof. Fatima Ana-Diab, said Mbah had demonstrated leadership qualities as a student and later translated them into achievements as an entrepreneur and governor.

“More than two decades ago, Peter Mbah walked these halls as a law student, developing the knowledge, determination and leadership that would take him from UEL to the Nigerian Bar, the world of business and ultimately to public office as Governor of Enugu State,” Ana-Diab said.

She recalled that Mbah served as President of the Students’ Law Society, where he helped transform the society into UEL’s Most Productive Society of the Year.

Ana-Diab said Mbah also 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.

She said Mbah graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2000 before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to the Nigerian Bar.

According to her, his pursuit of further education included 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 study 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 Mbah assumed office as Governor of Enugu State in May 2023, bringing his experience in law, business and public administration to the leadership of the state.

The citation also highlighted Mbah’s emphasis on education and skills development, saying his administration had invested significantly in education and sought to equip young people with knowledge, competencies and confidence to participate in the changing global economy.

“Peter’s journey from UEL law student to lawyer, entrepreneur and Governor demonstrates the possibilities that education can unlock and the responsibility that comes with using those opportunities to create change for others,” Ana-Diab said.

She said Mbah’s development agenda extended beyond education to investment, innovation, infrastructure, healthcare and community development.

“For our graduates today, his journey offers a powerful example of where a UEL education can lead. It reminds us that 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,” she said.

UEL was established in 1898 as the West Ham Technical Institute and has evolved into a careers-focused university committed to accessible education, innovation and real-world impact. The university operates campuses at Docklands and Stratford in East London, with the Docklands Campus opened in 1999.

The university says its honorary degrees recognise individuals of exceptional character and those whose contributions have had transformative impact across public, private, academic, creative and community spheres.

Responding to the honour, Mbah said his leadership philosophy had been shaped by a willingness to challenge limitations, coupled with a commitment to service and education.

“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,” Mbah said.

He, however, said imagination alone was insufficient without purpose, adding that service provided the motivation to persevere when ambition and personal rewards were inadequate.

“But imagination is not enough. There must be purpose. 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 capacity to expand people’s ability to transform society and that opportunities received should be used to create possibilities 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 said.

The governor expressed appreciation to UEL for the honour and for what he described as the university’s significant contribution to his development.