By Ayo Mojoyin
In a political landscape often clouded by recycled promises and half-kept manifestos, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the economist-turned-governor of Anambra State, is quietly scripting a different story — one rooted in strategic thinking, measured execution, and visible progress.
Barely two years into his first term, Soludo’s governance style is beginning to take recognizable shape across the state. With his trademark blend of intellectual rigor and grassroots pragmatism, the former Central Bank Governor is transforming Anambra into a model for sub-national innovation and inclusive development in Nigeria.
Urban Renewal with a Human Face
From the bustling streets of Onitsha to the growing urban spine of Awka, the Soludo-led administration has launched an ambitious regeneration plan focused on urban infrastructure, affordable housing, and sustainable transport. Over 400 kilometers of strategic roads — many in previously neglected rural communities — are either completed or under active construction, using concrete technology meant to withstand flooding and heavy usage.
“We are building roads, but we are also building livelihoods,” Governor Soludo said recently, while inspecting the newly dualized Ekwulobia-Uga road. “Every brick laid is an opportunity unlocked — for traders, teachers, transporters, and tomorrow’s investors.”
Tech, Talent, and the ‘Made-in-Anambra’ Agenda
Soludo’s economic blueprint — dubbed the Anambra Vision 2070 — isn’t just aspirational; it’s becoming operational. At the core is a push to re-industrialize the state by supporting local manufacturing, encouraging technology startups, and reviving agricultural value chains.
One standout initiative is the Solution Innovation District (SID) in Awka — a tech-driven hub where young minds are trained in digital skills, business development, and creative enterprise. As of May 2025, over 3,000 youths have benefitted from the program, with some securing remote jobs from international companies.
Additionally, the “Made in Anambra” policy is driving local procurement, with government ministries prioritizing goods produced within the state — from uniforms for students to furniture and construction materials.
Education, Health, and the Social Compact
While infrastructure and economics take the headlines, Governor Soludo’s reforms in the education and health sectors are also generating quiet but substantial change.
In a bold move, the state recruited over 5,000 new teachers through a merit-based system, ensuring that schools, especially in rural areas, are no longer without qualified instructors. In the health sector, over 300 primary healthcare centers are undergoing revitalization, as part of a wider strategy to achieve universal health coverage for residents.
A Technocrat’s Touch in the Political Arena
Though often described as “more technocrat than politician,” Soludo is also proving adept at navigating the complexities of local and national politics. He has maintained cordial relations with the federal government while also championing regional cooperation through the South-East Governors’ Forum.
Analysts note that his calm but firm approach to governance has earned him respect across political divides — a rare feat in Nigeria’s often fractious democratic space.
The Bigger Picture: A State Positioned for the Future
Governor Soludo has consistently emphasized that his mission is not to chase popularity but posterity. His administration’s transparency, fiscal discipline, and emphasis on results over rhetoric are gradually winning over skeptics.
As one market woman in Nnewi put it, “Soludo no dey make noise, but things dey happen. Light dey come steady, and dem dey work our road well.”
In a country yearning for transformative leadership, Anambra under Charles Soludo is quietly setting a new standard — not with fanfare, but with focus.
