ANAMBRA: TRULY NIGERIA’S LEADING LIGHT IN EDUCATION AS SOLUDO’S REFORMS AND INVESTMENTS CONTINUE TO YIELD DIVIDENDS IN THE SECTOR

By Christian ABURIME

In marketing communications, a slogan is a catchphrase used in expressing a brand’s promise. It makes a brand’s advertising message clear to its audience. It builds a unique brand identity, which can be used to increase brand recognition. States are brands, too, and all states in Nigeria have their diverse slogans. But, do all Nigerian states live up to their slogans? Surely, Anambra State does.

If light is universally accepted to be symbolic of illumination, enlightenment, knowledge and brilliance, then Anambra State under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, is today proving its slogan right as the “Light of the Nation”. Historically, Anambra easily boasts the most educated achievers in Southeast Nigeria. Evidence is in iconic names like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Ngozi Chimamanda Adichie, and others too numerous to mention.

In an astonishing renaissance, Anambra State has continued its first-class intellectual tradition by emerging a model of educational excellence in Nigeria, thanks to good foundations laid by previous government and especially the current visionary reforms of with substantial investments being implemented by Governor Soludo. Now, Anambra’s public education system, once struggling, is becoming an inspiring example for the entire nation, with its students and teachers garnering top honours in national competitions and ratings.

Being a first-class intellectual and teacher himself, Governor Soludo’s administration has undertaken a series of critical reforms and investments that have transformed the educational landscape in Anambra State in his only two and half years in office. About 8,115 qualified teachers have been employed to staff public schools, ensuring a robust educator-to-student ratio of at least ( 1 to 30) and enhancing the quality of instruction. Also, significant improvements have been made to school facilities, creating environments conducive for productive learning and academic growth. Most significantly, the Soludo government has implemented free education from nursery to senior secondary school (SSS) levels in public schools, removing financial barriers to education for countless families.

The impact of these reforms has been swift and profound. Anambra not only boasts the lowest out-of-school children rate in Nigeria, public school enrolment has also increased by 18 percent and the state has also been winning laurels nationally. Lately, the state dominated the 2024 Presidential Prizes for Secondary Schools in Nigeria. Mr. Nwosu Joseph Afamefuna of Government Technical College, Osomala, Anambra State, clinched the title of Overall Best Teacher across all categories, earning the top spot on the Federal Government list and a brand new Hyundai Accent car.

Holy Child Secondary School, Isuofia, was recognised as the Second Best Secondary School in the entire country. Mrs. Chukwudumeme Franca Adaeze of Aforigwe Primary School, Umudioka secured the position of Second Best Primary Head Teacher nationwide. Dr. Umezinwa, Grace Amara of Girls High School, Uga, was honoured as the Second Best Secondary School Principal in Nigeria. And in a display of collective excellence, Anambra’s teachers claimed the 2nd position in the March Past competition among the 37 states and Federal Education parastatals.

Without gainsaying, these achievements prove the effectiveness of Governor Soludo’s holistic approach to educational reforms. By addressing key areas such as teacher quantity and quality, infrastructure, and accessibility via free education policy, the current administration has created a robust educational ecosystem that nurtures talent and drives academic excellence to new levels. The success of Anambra’s public schools in national competitions not only brings pride to the state but also sets a new standard for educational quality in Nigeria. It is a veritable proof that with the right leadership, policies, and investments, public education can rival and even surpass private institutions in terms of academic outcomes.

Yet, as impressive as these achievements are, Governor Soludo’s administration maintains that the best is yet to come. This forward-looking attitude suggests a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in the state’s educational sector. With Anambra’s students and educators continuing to excel on the national stage, Governor Soludo is indeed educating a generation as well as building the foundation for a more prosperous and competitive state.