Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has pledged his administration’s commitment to cultivating a robust “digital tribe” in the state, positioning it as a hub of technological excellence and innovation.
Speaking at the grand finale of the Anambra Innovation Week 2024, held at the International Convention Centre in Awka on Friday, Soludo outlined his vision to transform the state into what he called “the African Dubai Taiwan” and a “Silicon Valley” of Nigeria. He stressed that technology and innovation are pivotal to Anambra’s development agenda.
“Technology defines Anambra’s future,” Soludo declared. “We are on a transformative journey, moving from a departure lounge to a destination point. Our goal is to build human capital that is both productive at home and exportable abroad.”
The governor highlighted Anambra’s strategic importance as a commercial and logistics hub while expressing his administration’s deliberate push to embed technology in governance, education, and entrepreneurship.
The keynote speaker, Ehia Ehabo, co-founder of AI in Nigeria, underscored the opportunities inherent in Africa’s challenges, noting the continent’s vibrant youth population as a key asset. “For every challenge in Africa, there are multiple opportunities,” he said, urging investment in innovation and entrepreneurship to unlock the region’s potential.
Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, lauded Soludo’s commitment to technology. She described the week-long event as a landmark initiative designed to bridge technological gaps, foster collaboration, and drive digital transformation.
“This is the first of its kind in Anambra State,” Okoli remarked. “Our theme, ‘Creating the Africa Now,’ reflects Governor Soludo’s vision to embed technology in everything we do and create an Anambra that thrives in the digital economy.”
The event attracted an impressive roster of participants, including representatives from global tech giants like Meta, AI experts, and development organisations such as the UNDP. Top state officials, including Secretary to the State Government Professor Solo Chukwulobelu and Chief of Staff Ernest Ezeajughi, were also in attendance.
The week culminated in the “Battle for Solution” competition, where youth inventors were awarded ₦100 million in cash prizes, celebrating their innovative contributions to solving pressing challenges.
Governor Soludo’s initiative underscores his administration’s vision of a digitally empowered Anambra, blending local talent with global technological trends to drive inclusive growth and prosperity.
