GOVERNANCE BY EXAMPLE: X-RAYING SOLUDO’S LEADERSHIP MODEL AS A MASTERCLASS IN ETHICAL PUBLIC SERVICE

By Christian ABURIME

In a developing democracy like ours, public trust in government can be paper-thin and integrity may seem like a lost art. Yet, some leaders still take pains to make a difference even in a system that is riddled with corruption.

An example is Anambra State under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, where a different picture is being painted. A picture where leaders lead by example, public finance is an open book, civil servants are empowered, and meritocracy, not mediocrity, is the rule.

Governor Soludo’s governance agenda is a quiet transformation, not in shouts and slogans, but in systems, standards, and service to the people.

Governor Soludo promised transparency, and he has institutionalised it. Under his watch, Anambra became one of the few Nigerian states to publish its financial statements in real-time, allowing Ndi Anambra to see exactly how public funds are used. The result is a new kind of relationship between citizens and government: one rooted in trust and open dialogue.

In order to deepen this engagement, the Solution Lens’ citizen feedback platform was launched. Through it, the people not only talk to the government, they talk through it, proving democracy in action.

Since the coming of the Soludo government, the digitisation of budgeting, procurement, and financial systems has blocked age-old leakages. The results are staggering: an 80% reduction in the cost of governance across board, amounting to ₦4 billion in savings, which is now redirected into critical infrastructure and social services.

While many state governments drown in debt, Governor Soludo’s Anambra is an exception. Despite having the legislative Assembly approval to borrow ₦100 billion, not a single kobo has been borrowed in three years. Instead, capital expenditure has risen to 77% of the budget, the highest in the nation, while recurrent spending has been squeezed to 23%. The state is now among Nigeria’s top five most fiscally sustainable states, a veritable model of prudent leadership in an environment of debt addiction.

Governor Soludo understands that no reform sticks without the support of those who implement it. That’s why his administration began with bold civil service reforms: A 10% salary increase in 2023, followed by payment of minimum wage in 2024, as well as prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, including clearing four years of backlog for state and local government retirees. Every retiree in Anambra now receives their benefits on time.

Beyond the state capital, Governor Soludo has breathed life into grassroots governance. Local government secretariats have been rebuilt, enhancing the efficiency of service delivery at the community level. The reconstruction is institutional, while the Local Government Administration Law 2024 provides a framework for transparent, accountable governance at the third tier.

Five new High Court halls and residential quarters for judges have been constructed to strengthen judicial efficiency. But infrastructure is just one half of the coin; performance is the other. The creation of a Strategy, Execution, and Evaluation Office ensures that every project, programme, and policy is tracked, measured, and optimised. No more ghost contracts, no more political white elephants, no more delayed payments, no more abandoned projects, only measurable impact.

Governor Soludo’s mantra, ‘One State, One People, One Agenda’, goes beyond rhetoric and shows up in asphalt and action. For the first time ever, Nzam in Anambra West has a motorable road. The Otuocha–Aguleri road project, long ignored, is now alive with progress. The 26.7km Awba-Ofemili road, previously only a footpath, is now fully asphalted. From the hills of Aguata to the riverbanks of Anambra East, every community now has a stake in the state.

Appointments in Governor Soludo’s government reflect competence, not favouritism. His youthful “Solution Team” was selected based on merit, diversity, and innovation. Inclusion is now a culture. Under his watch, the traditional Igbo values of hard work, enterprise integrity, and communal responsibility are being institutionalised. A culture of excellence is emerging, one that rewards service over self-interest.

Thus, in three years, Governor Soludo has redefined what governance truly means in Anambra State. From digitised systems to debt-free economics; from fair justice to inclusive development; from transparency to trust, his leadership model is a masterclass in ethical public service. This is governance that restores faith. Governance that works. And most importantly, governance that serves.