By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, has made a case for investors to come to Anambra State at the ongoing Nigeria Diaspora Economic Development Conference in Toronto, Canada. Governor Soludo called on Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in Anambra State Development and Investment Corporation (ADIC), which he said mimics the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) he founded when he was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He also made a case about the ongoing construction of an industrial city with an aerotropolis, outlining its viability within his vision for Anambra State. The conference facilitated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), commenced on August 12 and will end on August 15, 2026.
Anambra State Governor, who appeared in his trademark akwete outfit, received glowing commendation for his intentional projection of Nigerian fabric. Speaking at a session shared with the Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo made a compelling case, calling on the diaspora community to invest in Anambra State. Commenting on the weight of his vision for Anambra State, Governor Soludo said the Government of Anambra State under his watch is focused and decisive in the pursuit of a livable and prosperous homeland, providing security, infrastructure and a development model that can work for Anambra State. “We are building an industrial city with an aerotropolis…we are building a power substation there…we have ended Monday sit-at-home…Onitsha is up and running…we are intentional,” Governor Soludo said. Speaking further on the industrial city, Governor Soludo said that in the next two or three years, the project will be a testament to the validity of the vision for a prosperous Anambra State. The Governor also passed a vote of confidence on State Police, drawing from the Anambra State experience, arguing that policing should be devolved further to the local government level.
Citing Anambra’s success stories within his administration, Governor Soludo said that the State picks things and works on them as case studies, brings them to life, and running. The Governor also spoke about the vision behind Anambra State Development and Investment Corporation (ADIC). According to the Governor, ADIC aims to “institutionalize investment promotion and protection,” pointing out that ADIC will de-risk investment. “We are capitalizing ADIC to de-risk investments,” he said, calling on the diaspora to invest in ADIC. “The diaspora is welcome to invest in ADIC,” Soludo said, noting that many have already reached out to Anambra State to invest in various sectors, including power.
For Governor Soludo, while some people are waiting for a perfect time, it is clear that Nigeria is a favourable investment destination; therefore, there must be a deliberate effort to build. Reflecting on this, Governor Soludo said, “It is either we survive or perish,” and expressed gratitude that the Anambra model has worked, as he called on the diaspora to key in.
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