Anambra State, known as the Light of the Nation, has a reputation for excellence and progressive leadership. It is a state that has produced some of Nigeria’s brightest minds, successful entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders.
Governance in such a state should not be left to political amateurs or individuals who lack a solid track record. The destiny of over eight million people cannot be subjected to trial and error. Leadership in Anambra requires experience, competence, and a history of delivering tangible results.
This is why Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, remains the best choice for Anambra, given his remarkable track record as an academic, a globally respected economist, and a transformative leader. Anambra needs a leader who has proven his ability to deliver, not someone who wants to use the state as an experiment in governance.
Soludo’s excellence did not start today. As a student, he was the best graduating student from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he later earned a doctorate in Econometrics. His brilliance earned him a place as a professor of Economics at UNN, where he mentored some of Nigeria’s finest economic experts. His expertise went beyond the classroom, as he worked with international institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), shaping economic policies across Africa.
His outstanding leadership became even more evident when he was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2004. As CBN Governor, Soludo did not experiment with Nigeria’s economy—he implemented bold reforms that stabilized the financial sector. One of his greatest achievements was the consolidation of Nigeria’s banking sector. Before Soludo’s reforms, Nigeria had over 89 weak and unstable banks, many of which collapsed and left customers stranded. Soludo’s banking reform reduced the number of banks to 25 stronger institutions, ensuring a more robust financial system.
Under his leadership, Nigeria’s foreign reserves skyrocketed from $10 billion to $62 billion, strengthening the country’s financial stability. His policies also contributed to Nigeria paying off its $30 billion foreign debt, freeing the country from the burden of excessive external borrowing. These achievements earned him multiple awards as CBN Governor of the Year from renowned institutions like The Banker Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times of London, in 2005, 2006, and 2007. These were not awards given out of favoritism but in recognition of Soludo’s remarkable ability to turn around the Nigerian economy.
Since assuming office as Governor of Anambra State in 2022, Soludo has continued to demonstrate the same level of excellence and transformative leadership. His administration has embarked on massive road infrastructure projects, with over 300 kilometers of roads awarded, many of which are already completed. His urban renewal policies have significantly improved the state’s physical landscape, with the clearing of illegal structures, better town planning, and enhanced security measures.
His commitment to education and healthcare is evident in the employment of over 5,000 teachers and the expansion of healthcare services across the state. Soludo has also prioritized economic development, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, youth empowerment, and industrialization. His performance has not gone unnoticed, as he was named Governor of the Year in 2023 by both Vanguard Newspaper and The Sun Newspaper, two of Nigeria’s most respected media houses.
Anambra State is not a testing ground for politicians without proven credentials. The state needs a leader with experience, vision, and the ability to implement policies that drive real development. Governor Soludo has shown through his career, from academia to CBN and now as Governor, that he is a leader who delivers results, not empty promises. The people of Anambra cannot afford to gamble their future on individuals who seek power for personal ambition rather than genuine service. Governance is a serious business, and only those with a history of success should be entrusted with the state’s progress.
The choice is clear. Anambra needs leaders with proven track records, not those who want to experiment with the destiny of its people. Soludo has the experience, the achievements, and the vision to keep Anambra on the path of greatness. Anything less would be a risky political gamble that Anambra cannot afford.
