Prince Chris Azor
On March 17, 2026, Professor Chukwuma Soludo will be sworn in again as Governor of Anambra State under the platform of APGA. His re-election signals that many voters approved of the direction of his first term. Major roads were constructed across strategic corridors.
Urban renewal projects changed the look of key towns. Education and health featured prominently in State budgets. Procurement processes moved online, which marked progress toward transparency. Now the expectations are higher. The conversation must shift from visibility to sustainability and measurable impact.
Anambra’s fiscal space is tight. Internally generated revenue has repeatedly fallen short of projections. When revenue underperforms, releases slow down and projects stall. A budget is only as strong as its execution. Compared to some larger States with stronger Federal allocations or higher IGR, Anambra’s overall budget envelope remains modest. That means planning must be realistic, releases disciplined and waste minimized.
Agriculture is where the imbalance is most obvious. Globally, agriculture driven growth remains one of the most reliable pathways to reduce poverty, empower young people and expand rural income. The Food and Agriculture Organization and other development institutions emphasize sustained public investment across the value chain from mechanization and irrigation to storage, extension services and agro processing.
Poor agriculture budgeting
African leaders themselves committed to allocating at least 10 percent of public expenditure to agriculture under the Maputo Declaration. In Anambra, agriculture has received well under one (1) percent of the State budget in recent cycles. For a State with strong agrarian potential and rising food costs, this is far below both continental commitments and global best practice. If agriculture is to drive jobs, food security and exports, funding must reflect that ambition.
Education presents a different picture. Anambra has allocated over 47 percent of its budget to education in recent fiscal plans, far exceeding the UNESCO guideline of fifteen to twenty percent of public expenditure. That level of commitment is commendable. However, allocation alone does not guarantee success. The true measure will be improved learning outcomes, better teacher development, stronger supervision and equitable infrastructure across rural communities. Spending must translate into results that parents and students can feel.
Institutional reform also requires deeper attention. While procurement laws and digital platforms exist, oversight must be strengthened. A fully empowered and independent State Procurement Council would improve credibility. Concerns about non-compliance with the State Procurement Law, 2020 and instances where due process appears bypassed must be addressed firmly. The Procurement Bureau itself needs restructuring to prevent direct and unregulated dealings with contractors/vendors.
Transparency is not only about technology. It is about adherence to rules and independent scrutiny.
Reset in political appointments
Generally, a reset in political appointments is key to assemble an experienced, competent and committed team, with integrity.
As the second term begins, several priorities are clear. Revenue projections must be realistic and matched with predictable releases. Agriculture requires a serious funding reset aligned with the 10 percent continental benchmark.
Education spending must deliver measurable gains. Budget releases should support both infrastructure and the systems that make services work. Counterpart funding must be credible and intentional to attract development partners and concessional finance. Social protection and social development should move beyond policy statements into legislation that guarantees continuity and accountability.
A critical area for progress is structured partnership with Civil Society. Anambra should deliberately strengthen engagement through the Open Government Partnership. The OGP framework centres on transparency, accountability and citizen participation. By deepening collaboration with Civil Society under this platform, the government can institutionalize open budgeting, procurement transparency, social audits and citizen feedback mechanisms.
This is not cosmetic reform. It builds trust, improves policy design and reduces friction. Beyond OGP, the Governor should widen consultation generally. Major decisions should consistently involve Civil Society networks, professional bodies, Faith Based groups, traditional institutions, business leaders, development partners and women/youth/vulnerable groups. Broad consultation strengthens legitimacy and ensures policies reflect lived realities. Development moves faster when citizens are not spectators but partners.
Anambra has the human capital and entrepreneurial energy to outperform many peers. The foundation has been laid. The next four years must be defined by disciplined execution, stronger institutions, inclusive consultation and deliberate investment in sectors that create jobs and reduce inequality. That is the benchmark by which this second term will be judged.
Prince Chris Azor is the Chairman, Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet), and Non State Actors’ Co-Chair, Open Government Partnership (OGP)
