Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo was sworn in for a second four-year term as the Executive Governor of Anambra State on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, pledging to transform the state into a global industrial hub. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in the state capital, Awka, was attended by a broad spectrum of Nigeria’s political elite, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Anyachebelu, administered the oath of office to Governor Soludo and his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time. The event was characterised by a more expansive public celebration compared to the low-key, strictly administrative ceremony that marked Soludo’s first entry into office in 2022.
In his inaugural address, titled "The Soludo Solution 2.0: Consolidation and Velocity," the Governor focused on his administration’s blueprint for the next four years. He emphasised the completion of the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC) as the cornerstone of his economic agenda. Soludo stated that the state is moving beyond foundational reforms into a phase of rapid execution that will prioritise home-grown manufacturing and digital infrastructure.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lauded the Governor's fiscal discipline and intellectual approach to sub-national governance. Speaking at the podium, Shettima noted that the federal government remains committed to partnering with states like Anambra that demonstrate a clear roadmap for economic self-sufficiency and security.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also addressed the gathering, commending the people of Anambra for choosing continuity. He remarked that the progress recorded in the first four years, particularly in the areas of urban regeneration in Onitsha and Ekwulobia, serves as a testament to the benefits of evidence-based leadership. Obasanjo urged the Governor to maintain his focus on human capital development through the "One Youth, Two Skills" initiative.
The ceremony also saw a significant presence of traditional rulers, led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Security during the event was tightly managed by a combined team of the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The FRSC Sector Commander in Anambra confirmed the deployment of 275 personnel to manage the high volume of vehicular traffic leading into the capital. Despite the large crowds, the ceremony proceeded without major incidents.