Soludo And The Anambra Promise

EMEKA OZUMBA

“Audacious” is indeed a frequently used term to describe Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State. As a pragmatist, Soludo is easy to love, and yet to others who see him as a political shit-stirer, easy to hate. But no one will deny Soludo the audacity to envision a great Anambra and the laying of the foundation of African Dubai–Taiwan–Silicon Valley (ADTS).

Four years ago, Soludo was a man in a hurry, very quick to set forth at dawn in his journey of statecraft. The mantra was work, work and work. And he was loath to waste time putting his nose to the grind stone. His first port of call was the sprawling slum of Okpoko in Onitsha through Ekwulobia, Nnewi to Awka, the state capital.
It was not long before he etched his imprints – the Solution imprints in those places thus earning him the moniker, “Ọluatuegwu.”

Speaking recently at the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR,Anambra State chapter 2026 AGM) Soludo was as lucid and eloquent as ever. He exuded the confidence of a man at peace with himself laced with a dogged determination to actualise his vision.
As he outlined the imperative of Anambra rebirth and mission to rescue the youths from the crippling plague of neo-paganism and pursuit of wealth at all cost, Soludo displayed the conviction of a man whose goals are within touching distance. Little wonder his promise to ndi Anambra: “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Fast forward to the impassioned Second Term Inauguration Speech on March 17, 2026, at Ekwueme Square, Awka, where the intrepid economist and able Governor enjoined ndi Anambra to join him in building a prosperous and livable state. The occasion was graced by creme de la creme of Anambra and indeed Nigeria, with Soludo’s pan-Nigerian appeal in full display.

Professor Soludo reiterated his vision for Anambra to become an African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley (ADTS) by 2070. Accordingly, he explained that plans for investments are underway in the four new cities and district of New Niger City near Onitsha, Awka 2.0, the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC), an Aerotropolis, and the Innovation District– our own Silicon Valley. He highlighted the challenges of limited landmass and Anambra uneviable status as the ‘gully erosion capital of Nigeria, stressing that harnessing the state’s strategic location and inherent advantages as a commercial gateway, focusing on developing a commercial and logistics hub, boosting industrial productivity, and technology-driven innovation will ultimately lead to the emergence of “Dubai-like” economy.

It is also heartening to hear Soludo confirm that preliminary work for major projects that are bound to have catalytic effect on the development of the state like the Anambra’s Rail Master plan, and Gas Master plan are ready while power remains a going concern with the regulatory framework also in place.

Looking back in the last four years, Soludo outlined some of the accomplishments of his administration, including restoring security and ending the Monday sit-at-home, regenerating urban areas like Okpoko and Ekwulobia, building roads and improving infrastructure, providing digital skills to over 300,000 youths, and improving education and healthcare with free education to senior secondary level, and free delivery/antenatal care in all government hospitals.

Conscious of the likely impact of global geo-political disruptions and the concomitant effect on the people, Soludo harped on the need for understanding and planning ahead, insisting that: “Uncertainty has become the defining reality of our world today. In such times, only those who think boldly, plan deliberately, and act strategically can shape and control the future”.

Professor Soludo believes that transforming Anambra from a departure lounge to a destination hub is an onerous task, and that leveraging the ingenuity, resilience, and entrepreneurial energy of the exceptionally enterprising youth population requires not just physical infrastructure but also careful and deliberate nuturing through a thriving ecosystem of technology, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship. Thus he advocates the proper positioning of Anambra to harness the youthful ideas and talents, supported with necessary capital that will ultimately lead to transformative growth.

Armed with the Aristotelian logic of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, Soludo decried the underperforming state of the South East and called for immediate change for the sake of future generations. He exhorted ndi Anambra to seize the moment and make it count in order to harness the infinite possibilities and opportunities of the African Dubai-Taiwan Silicon valley(ADTS).

Overall, Soludo’s rallying cry for ndi Anambra to come together and build a brighter future is aptly captured in his admission that he is driven to build a state where he would be proud to retire, where his children and grandchildren will thrive, and where every onye Anambra can proudly say it is their home.

All told, Soludo has demonstrated uncommon trait akin to a few ready to take generational bet on building the right infrastructure to transform the lives of their citizens. At the end of the day, the expectation is that Soludo’s promise and his accomplishments would pale his mistakes in office and etch his name in the good books of history.

*Ozumba is Managing Consultant of Ozion Limited, Strategic Communications Advisors.*