The appointments take immediate effect, according to a statement signed by Mr. Christian Aburime, the chief press secretary to the Governor.

The reappointment underscores the administration’s commitment to continuity, innovation, and the sustained development of Anambra State’s digital economy and technology ecosystem.

Under Mr. Agbata’s leadership, the Agency has played a central role in advancing digital infrastructure, promoting tech-enabled governance, and strengthening Anambra’s position as an emerging hub for innovation and ICT development.

In addition to this, the Governor also approved leadership appointments for key state agencies.

Mr. Emeka Okonkwo (Konti) has been reappointed as Managing Director of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA), while Mr. Osita Onuko has also been reappointed as Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).

Both officials previously served in the same capacities during the Governor’s first tenure, and their reappointment reflects continuity in leadership as well as sustained confidence in their performance and institutional experience.

Governor Soludo charged all appointees to bring renewed energy, professionalism, and a strong results-oriented approach to their respective agencies, in line with his administration’s vision of building a livable and prosperous smart mega city.

SmartGov is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), enabling citizens to interact with government through natural conversations rather than complex procedures or paperwork.

At the core of the platform is NORA, an intelligent digital assistant trained on Anambra State government services, processes, and directories.

This launch further cements Anambra’s leadership in digital transformation, coming on the heels of its recognition at the recently held National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE), where the State won four major national awards, including Best Overall Performing State in Digital Technology Development and Best State in Human Capital Development.

SmartGov serves as a single digital gateway to official government information, services, and platforms across the State.

Using AI, the platform understands citizens’ questions and guides them accurately to the right service, requirement, or process.

Through a simple three-step interaction, citizens can:

1. Ask questions about any government service in plain language
2. Receive intelligent AI-driven guidance that directs them to the correct procedure, requirements, or platform
3. Get answers or complete transactions online, via WhatsApp, or through voice-enabled access

The platform currently covers eight major service categories, including Taxes and Revenue, Land and Property, Business Services, Health, Education, Security and Complaints, Transport and Vehicles, and Culture and Tourism.

With 24-hour availability and multilingual support in English and Igbo, SmartGov removes traditional barriers such as office hours, location, and unnecessary bureaucracy, making government services more inclusive and accessible.

From business-related inquiries to renewing vehicle papers, paying taxes, or locating the nearest health facility, SmartGov guides users clearly and seamlessly through each step of the process, ensuring accuracy and consistency across government interactions.

The BETA launch also showcases Anambra’s technical innovation by bringing together AI, voice-enabled access, and WhatsApp connectivity into one unified platform, all supported by a continuously updated government service directory.

This development positions Anambra as a national reference point for citizen-focused eGovernment, building on strong policy direction, sustained digital infrastructure investments, and a deliberate focus on human capital development.

Describing the platform and its functionality, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, said SmartGov was built with citizens at the center.

“SmartGov is more than a service directory. It is an intelligent gateway that makes government interactions simple, fast, and reliable.”

He added that Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has consistently emphasized technology as the backbone of governance through the Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere vision.

“SmartGov is a practical expression of this vision. By embedding AI into everyday government services, Anambra State is making governance more transparent, accessible, and efficient for Ndi Anambra.”

As part of the BETA phase, SmartGov also has a dedicated feedback channel to support continuous improvement. Citizens are enjoined to submit feedback.

In addition to existing channels such as the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and official email platforms, NORA, the AI digital assistant, is also available to guide users through the feedback process where required.

“As we refine SmartGov during this BETA phase, we invite Ndi Anambra to explore the platform, use it actively, and share feedback to help us make it even better,” CFA concluded.

SmartGov is now live here, ushering in a new era of AI-enabled, citizen-centric governance in Anambra State and advancing Mr Governor’s Smart Mega City vision, where innovation is expected, not optional.

With the theme “Accelerating Inclusive Digital Transformation: Bridging Gaps and Fostering Sustainable Growth Through Innovation”, this year’s Council brought together federal and state governments, industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders to evaluate progress and shape Nigeria’s digital future.

A key highlight of the Council meeting was the States Innovation Peer Review Session (PRS), which offered states a platform to present the major strides they have made in digital transformation.

The session encouraged cooperation, collaboration, and shared learning, as each state showcased its achievements, success stories, and innovative use of ICT to improve governance and service delivery.

At the end of the presentations, Anambra emerged as one of the most outstanding performers at the event, securing:

• Best overall performing State in ICT Development
• Best State in ICT Human Capital Development           
• 2nd Runner-Up in Infrastructure Development
• 2nd Runner-Up in eGovernment Implementation

The impressive performance is a testament to the bold vision and strategic direction of the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, whose commitment to building a liveable, prosperous, and digitally empowered Smart Mega City continues to propel the state to national recognition.

Through focused investments in broadband expansion, eGovernment services, tech-driven governance reforms, digital skills and lots more, Governor Soludo has positioned Anambra as a model of what is possible when political will guides a skilled team into precise execution.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the Governor, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for providing the enabling environment, policy guidance, leadership and unwavering support that energize the State’s digital transformation drive in line with his “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” Mantra.

“This recognition is another clear validation of Governor Soludo’s vision and a reflection of the hard work, collaboration, and commitment of the entire Solution Team. Anambra remains intentional about leveraging technology to improve lives, strengthen institutions, and create opportunities. We are grateful for this recognition and motivated to do even more,” CFA said.

This year’s achievement marks the second time Anambra has swept four major national awards at NCCIDE, following a similar outstanding performance in 2023.

The consistency underscores the State’s sustained excellence in digital governance, eGovernment implementation, infrastructure development, and human capital growth.

With these recognitions, Anambra continues to demonstrate that purposeful leadership, strategic planning, and a people-centred approach to technology can accelerate development and foster inclusive growth.

The pledge was made when the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ADRC), in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, paid an advocacy visit to the Agency’s headquarters.

Managing Director/CEO of the ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, noted the Soludo administration’s determination to make governance work for all, including PWDs. 

He said intentional inclusion remains central to the Governor’s technology-driven vision for the state, adding that the Commission recently received a range of digital tools to enhance its productivity.

“Technology is only truly impactful when it works for everyone, regardless of physical ability. We are committed to removing digital barriers and making our platforms accessible to all residents of Anambra State,” Agbata said.

He also disclosed that the Agency will appoint a Disability Desk Officer, work with the Commission to ensure all government ICT platforms meet accessibility standards, and incorporate PWD-friendly features into ongoing upgrades of the SolutionLens feedback platform.

During the visit, ADRC’s Head of ICT, Bonaventure Umeokwonna, outlined the Commission’s priorities, while RoLAC representatives pledged continued support to build capacity and strengthen the policy framework for inclusion.

Valentine Nwachukwu, head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Commission, gave the vote of thanks, commending the ICT Agency’s openness to collaboration.

The Anambra State ICT Agency continues to work closely with ministries, departments, and agencies to deepen digital transformation across the state, ensuring no segment of society is left behind.

NiRA, the custodian of Nigeria’s country code top-level domain (.ng), held its AGM in a hybrid format, with over 325 stakeholders participating both physically and virtually.

The event served as a critical review of Nigeria’s evolving digital identity ecosystem and highlighted major wins, including the registration of over 94,000 new .ng domains and the rollout of DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) to boost trust and resilience in the national domain space.

Mr. Agbata’s emergence onto NiRA’s leadership is not just a personal milestone but a significant moment for Anambra State, which has, since the inception of Governor Soludo’s administration, adopted the .anambrastate.gov.ng domain in line with the call for local domain usage.

NiRA’s AGM also spotlighted strategic partnerships with public and private bodies, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and NITDA, both of which align closely with the state’s ongoing digital transformation journey.

For Anambra, Mr. Agbata’s new role opens even more channels for collaboration and influence as the state continues to position itself as a digital-first government and a model for responsible tech-driven governance in Nigeria.

“Our adoption of the .ng domain is not symbolic. It reflects our belief in building an internet identity that is both Nigerian and secure. I am honoured to serve on NiRA’s board at this critical time,” Mr. Agbata said following his election.

The Anambra State ICT Agency reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote a secure, accessible, and resilient digital ecosystem, both locally and nationally.

According to the report — a collaborative effort between Nigerian Panorama and the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced Professional Studies (CIAPS) — Anambra ranks alongside Lagos and Enugu as the leading states in adopting and implementing e-governance practices that foster accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery.

In his remarks, Professor Anthony Kila, director of CIAPS, emphasized the importance of e-governance in shaping how governments interact with citizens.

“The centrality of e-governance allows us to assess the performance of state governments in the country. How the government treats the digital world says a lot about them,” he said.

The report evaluated states based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including website security, up-to-date content, public engagement, availability of online services, policy updates, and user accessibility.

Anambra’s performance reflects the state’s deliberate investment in digital infrastructure and its commitment to leveraging technology as a tool for inclusive governance.

Reacting to the recognition, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, the managing director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, described the report as a welcome validation of the efforts being made under the leadership of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, to reposition Anambra as a liveable and prosperous smart mega-city.

“This is not just about being tech-savvy,” Agbata said. “It’s about using digital tools to create real impact — making the government more accessible, responsive, and transparent. Anambra is building a digital future that works for everyone.”

The CGPI Report recommended that all states intensify efforts to train public servants, maintain digital platforms effectively, and build user-friendly systems that keep citizens informed and empowered. For Anambra, this recognition serves both as a milestone and a motivation to scale new heights.

As the journey continues, Anambra remains focused on setting the pace for e-governance in Nigeria in line with the Governor’s mantra of Everything Technology & Technology Everywhere.

Among the distinguished panelists were Olatubosun Alake, the commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Lagos State, and Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, the managing director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, who shared insights from their respective states on the journey so far.

In his remarks, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, highlighted Anambra’s success story through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), particularly in digital infrastructure development.

He noted that Governor Charles Soludo’s initiative to waive Right of Way (RoW) charges was pivotal in attracting investors and enhancing ease of business, following the examples set by Lagos and Kaduna.

“Governor Soludo’s decision to waive RoW charges significantly boosted connectivity and economic growth in the state,” CFA said.

“Government is financially burdened, so we have focused on collaborating with local partners to connect our services.

For the first time, we now have a civil service with access to the internet – another successful example of PPP in action.”

A major component of the state’s digital transformation strategy has been leveraging partnerships with local businesses to foster digital access across government institutions.

CFA emphasized that such collaborations were critical for states, not just Anambra, as efficient resource management is key to meeting diverse governance priorities.

“Partnerships as this enable progress in areas like digital infrastructure without placing the full burden on government resources, making them a vital part of modern governance”, he concluded.

Olatubosun Alake, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted the importance of stakeholder consultation and advocacy, particularly when engaging the private sector.

He urged companies to establish their own codes of conduct to ensure smooth interactions with the government and legislative bodies, which play a critical role in reforms aimed at fostering ease of doing business.

“Ease of doing business is pivotal because it determines whether an investor will engage,” Alake said.

He also emphasized the importance of qualified personnel in civil service sectors and advocated for competitive pay packages to ensure optimal service delivery.

Other distinguished panelists included Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Chairman, Africa Data Centres Association; Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria; and Douglas Njenga, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Special Projects, WIOCC Group. The session was moderated by Sade Dada, Public Policy Manager for Anglophone West Africa at Meta.

The discussions underscored the importance of regulatory frameworks, partnerships, and targeted reforms in driving digital infrastructure development across Nigeria and the African continent.

The meeting was chaired by the Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and hosted by Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Kano State Governor.

The vision of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, is to build a liveable and prosperous Smart Mega City and Mr. Governor is massively leveraging technology and digital innovation towards achieving this vision.

The awards, a testament to Anambra’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and progress in the digital realm, are as follows:

1. The Overall Winner Best State in Digital Technology Development:

Here, Anambra State stood tall as the undisputed overall winner, scoring the highest number of points in all the NCCIDE categories, showcasing its comprehensive dedication to advancing the state in the digital landscape.

This award was presented to Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), the MD/CEO, Anambra State ICT Agency, by Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Kano State Governor.

2. First Position Best State in Digital Infrastructure Technology Development:

Under this category, Anambra State was recognized as the leading state in ICT infrastructure development, following the full implementation of the Zero Right Of Way (RoW) policy, implementation of an Internet Exchange Point; all emphasizing the state’s commitment to building a robust foundation for the prosperity of its people, using Technology. This award was presented by the Minister of CIDE, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

3. First Runner-up in e-Government Implementation:

Anambra’s innovative e-government initiatives earned it the second position, highlighting the state’s effective use of technology in governance.

The award was presented by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

4. First Runner-up in Digital Technology Human Capital Development:

This award reinforces the state’s commitment to building a digitally-skilled and knowledgeable workforce and society in general.

The final award was presented by the Kano State, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Alhaji Mohammed Othman.

It is noteworthy that Anambra’s impressive outing at the annual event that brings together the federal government and state underscores its strategic vision and exemplary but detailed execution in the realms of infrastructure, e-government, and human capital development under the visionary leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The awards during the official opening ceremony, followed the earlier recognition received during the ICT Peer Review session, where Anambra’s presentation made by Dr. Florence Idigo, a Director in the State ICT Agency, garnered enthusiastic applause and commendation from industry experts.

Receiving the awards at the NCCIDE  awards, on behalf of the State Governor, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, (CFA), the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, expressed profound appreciation to Mr. Governor for creating the enabling environment and a vision which guides the Agency in line with the ‘Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere’ mantra.

CFA also dedicated the awards not only to the team at ICT Agency but to the co-operation and collaboration of the entire solution team for their hard work and dedication to Mr. Governor’s vision.

“This achievement no doubt reflects our unwavering commitment to technological advancement and the transformative journey we are championing in Anambra State,” he concluded.

This distinguished Executive Council delegation included key figures such as Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency; Uchechukwu Christian, State Commissioner for Industry; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms. Chinwe Okoli.

The aim of the meeting was to explore avenues for collaboration, forge corporate alliances, and foster technological partnerships to accelerate Anambra State’s growth.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to enhance strategic partnerships for economic development and the exchange of technologies, fostering shared prosperity between Anambra State, its tech companies, and their counterparts in the United States.

The Anambra delegation seized the opportunity to present the state’s tech developmental strides under Governor Soludo’s visionary leadership, as well as the strategic plan of the government to build an Anambra where the tech ecosystem thrives.

While highlighting the key initiatives driving tech revolutions within the state, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, underscored Mr. Governor’s commitment to establishing Anambra as a thriving hub for digital transformation and innovation.

The US high-tech companies participating in the discussions expressed eagerness to support Anambra State in diverse capacities, one of which include: Robust support for the State’s Digital Health and Education Transformation initiatives pledged by Amazon Web Services and technical support and offer of substantial discounts for future devices purchased in the state by Dell and HP.

Meta also pledged to deepen their collaboration in Anambra through partners such as IGHub and Fate Foundation, while Google expressed enthusiasm to pilot several initiatives and explore opportunities to enhance the digital presence of SMEs in Anambra, thereby contributing to increased digital footprints.

Noteworthy, however, is the understanding that these commitments are preliminary and subject to further discussions and finetuning, by both the Anambra State Government and these tech industry giants, towards translating these commitments into impactful projects that will bring about lasting positive change for the people of Anambra.

This strategic alliance signals a significant milestone in Anambra State’s journey towards becoming a technology-driven hub and aligns seamlessly with Mr. Governor’s commitment to his vision to transform Anambra State into the digital and creative capital of Nigeria.

The partnerships forged with these leading industry giants, no doubt, are poised to catalyze innovation, economic growth, and societal development within the state.

Governor Soludo, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the willingness of the US companies to support Anambra’s technological advancement, emphasizing the state’s commitment under his watch, to creating a conducive environment for collaboration and a thriving ecosystem for innovation.

Below are 21 Key Strides amongst others:

1. Infrastructure Enhancement via Full Implementation of Zero Right of Way (RoW) policy 

Governor Soludo’s bold move to strengthen infrastructure has led to the full implementation of the Zero Right of Way (RoW) policy.

This has motivated InfraCos to deepen tech infrastructure in the state by laying of fibre ducts, resulting in improved quality of service across the State.

Anambra remains one of the few states currently implementing the Zero ROW policy as a first step towards fully deepening broadband penetration.

2. Collaboration and Interconnectivity

The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the State are currently in partnership with  the ICT Agency towards the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point in the State.

This initiative focuses on improving interconnectivity and reducing the cost of Internet access and deepening penetration. ISPs in Anambra are excited about the possibilities.

3. Public Wi-Fi Initiative

A Pilot Phase of the Public Wi-Fi (Solution Wi-Fi) has been activated at Aroma Junction, Book foundation and Unizik Gate, Ifite Awka.

This marks a significant stride and efforts are ongoing to extend this Public Wi-Fi to various public spaces across the State in line with the People’s Manifesto.

4. E-Government Infrastructure

The Agency, through its baseline Study of E-government Infrastructure in Anambra State has set the stage for a digital revolution in the Civil Service.

This initiative resulted in Governor Soludo’s approval of the procurement and distribution of the first batch of 200 state-of-the-art PCs and laptops to various MDAs, advancing the objectives of digitization and professionalism across the public sector. 2024 will witness the distribution of more digital tools to more civil and public servants in line with Mr Governor’s promise of modernizing the State’s workforce.

5. Digitized State’s Executive Council Processes

Successful digitization of the State’s Executive Council processes by transforming documents and presentations from manual to digital format, eliminating the need for costly printing. This has helped to make the process more efficient, cost effective, and sustainable.

6. Communication Enhancement

Deployment of the Unified Messaging Service (UMS) for enhanced communication and collaboration among all MDAs is a significant milestone. Civil servants have been assigned @anambrastate.gov.ng email addresses for seamless communication and collaboration within the public sector.

7. Land Administration Revolution

The Ministry of Lands with support from the ICT Agency has deployed its Centralized e-GIS System with complete ICT Infrastructure that is bound to revolutionize Land Administration in the State.

8. Project Management Dashboard

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI), with the State’s Strategy, Execution, and Evaluation (SEE) Office and the ICT Agency have fostered a partnership which has brought about the successful integration of technology into project management.

This has given rise to a Digital Delivery Dashboard, a real-time project monitoring tool to facilitate project tracking from inception to completion.

9. Policy Development

As a roadmap to achieving Prof. Chukuwma Soludo (Mr. Governor’s) vision of “Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere”, the ICT Agency has come up with a comprehensive draft ICT Policy document ; This policy was developed in collaboration and ensures comprehensive input which has resulted in a holistic document that represents the views of all relevant parties.

10. Blockchain Strategy

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy Blockchain Strategy has been adopted by the ICT Agency to promote and enhance the blockchain ecosystem activities in the State.

11. Identity Management Initiative

The ICT Agency in partnership with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, initiated an internship program that has resulted in the successful launch of the ANSG-EID Card scheme for civil servants and other government employees in June 2023.

12. Domain Adoption and Transition/Digital/Internet Assets Standardization

A pioneering move in the State’s E-governance efforts is the successful transition to the Federal Government-approved .ng second-level domain.

This initiative has paved the way for the successful relocation of Anambra State online digital assets (in line with Federal Government directives) to the “anambrastate.gov.ng” and “an.gov.ng” State owned domains.

13. Cybersecurity Enhancement

Currently, the ICT Agency is finalizing the implementation of a public cloud service that would secure Anambra State’s data locally, fortify cybersecurity, and save costs by consolidating the multiple cloud providers engaged by MDAs.

14. IT Project Standardization

In line with ANSEC directive, an ITPRS Portal has been established for the registration of external IT consultants. This platform ensures the digitalization and standardization of IT projects in the State, and issues certificates as proof of compliance to set standards.

15. GovTech Strategy Development

In response to Anambra State’s participation in a World Bank subnational Government GovTech Maturity Index survey, the ICT Agency developed an initial GovTech strategy framework. This framework has been designed to improve the State’s appeal to technology partners on a global scale.

16. Budget System Automation

The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has automated the State’s budget processes with support from the ICT Agency.

17. Development of the Anambra State Health Facilities Management System

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Agency has developed a platform to enhance healthcare administration and streamline the management of health facilities, ensuring efficient operations and improved delivery of healthcare services across the state.

18. Telemedicine Deployment

Currently working closely with the Ministry of Health to deploy a robust Telemedicine solution for the State.

19. Local Government Automation

The Ministry of Local Government in collaboration with the ICT Agency is on an ongoing automation and digitization process of all 21 LGAs of the State. This automation process is about 75% completed and will be deployed within Q1 ’24.

20. Internship/Volunteers Partnership Programme

The Anambra ICT Agency is proud to have launched its Internship/Volunteers Partnership Programme tailored for ICT undergraduates and skilled IT professionals.

This initiative is currently ongoing and is aimed at fostering talent development and knowledge exchange. It provides a valuable platform for participants to gain hands-on experience and contribute to the state’s technological advancements.

21. Citizens Engagement Platform

The Anambra ICT Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning and the Strategy, Execution & Evaluation Office is developing a dynamic initiative designed to foster transparent communication between the government and citizens.

This digital platform will encourage active participation, feedback, and collaboration, providing a space for citizens to engage with government initiatives.

MDAs’ Support

All State MDAs are being supported by the ICT Agency with digital services and solutions. These services and solutions include among others, website creation, content management, and various technical assistance to facilitate the digitization of their operational procedures.

All of the above strides demonstrate Prof. Chukuwma Soludo (Mr Governor’s) unwavering commitment to driving digital transformation and embracing cutting-edge technologies, positioning Anambra State prominently on the global stage.

We are inspired to continue pushing forward to an even more exciting future, where the possibilities for digital transformation and innovation are endless for our dear State.  #EverythingTechnologyTechnologyEverywhere

Anambra will WIN!

Solution is Here!!!