Governor Chukwuma Soludo has moved to strengthen his cabinet with the appointment of seasoned strategy expert, Chiamaka Nnake, alongside a fresh team of technocrats.
The move is seen by analysts as a push to inject private-sector efficiency into Anambra State’s governance and economic planning.
Nnake, a first-class graduate and veteran of the Accounting Big Four consulting, joins the administration at a time when the state is looking to deepen its fiscal reforms and operational delivery.
The 39-year old is the first female to be appointed as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) by the Anambra state government.
From PwC to Government House
Before her transition to public service, Nnake built a formidable career in the high-stakes world of corporate advisory. Most recently, she served as a Manager in the Strategy Consulting unit of PwC Nigeria.
At PwC, she rose through the ranks from Assistant Manager, leading critical projects that helped businesses navigate complex operating models, feasibility studies, and financial restructuring.
Her expertise is not limited to a single niche; she has a proven track record in financial services and agriculture, two sectors that are pivotal to Governor Soludo’s solution agenda for Anambra.
Earlier in her career, she worked at IHS Towers as a Senior Business Analyst and gained foundational experience in auditing and strategic planning at KPMG and Sterling Bank.
Academic Excellence: An Ivy League Pedigree
Nnake’s appointment brings a heavy dose of intellectual depth to the state executive council. Her academic background is a blend of local excellence and international exposure:
- Accounting Foundations: She holds a first-class degree in Accounting from Benson Idahosa University.
- Business Leadership: An MBA holder from the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS).
- Professional Standing: She is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
- Global Policy & Agribusiness: She has undergone executive training at Harvard University (Public Policy), IESE Business School, and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, where she specialized in global food and agribusiness systems.
The Broader Shake-up: Soludo’s New A-Team
Nnake’s entry is part of a wider administrative overhaul approved by Governor Soludo to re-energize his cabinet. The Governor has filled several key positions with a mix of legal heavyweights and administrative veterans.
Key appointments include:
- Ngozi Iwouno: Appointed as the new Head of Service.
- Ben Nwankwo: Takes over as Chief of Staff to the Governor.
- Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN): Joins as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
- Joachin Peters Anetoh: Stepping in as Principal Secretary to the Governor.
The Governor also re-appointed Mr. Christian Aburime as Chief Press Secretary and Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor as State Chief of Protocol.
Focus on Innovation and Security
To drive the state’s digital and industrial ambitions, Soludo has re-appointed Ms. Chinwe Okoli as Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation. She will also double as the CEO of the Solution Innovation District, a hub expected to position Anambra as a tech powerhouse in the Southeast.
Other strategic advisors include Prof. Ebuka Nwankwo (Special Projects), Dr. Godwin Nnadozie (Medicals and Pharmaceuticals), and Mr. Ken Emeakayi, who will oversee Community Security.
What this Means for the Anambra Business Community
By bringing in a strategy expert with Nnake’s profile, the Soludo administration is signaling to investors that it values data-driven governance.
Her background in agribusiness systems is particularly significant, as Anambra looks to scale its rice and palm oil value chains.
For the local business community, this technocrat-heavy cabinet suggests a focus on ease of doing business and structured economic growth.
