Tinubu Endorses Soludo’s Development Agenda, Eyes Anambra for Post-Presidency Retirement Plan

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed admiration for Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo's transformative leadership in Anambra State, highlighting ongoing infrastructural and visionary projects that align with his broader national aspirations for development.

Marking his first official visit to the southeastern state since assuming the presidency, Tinubu arrived Thursday to a warm reception from leaders, residents, and cultural performers at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka. His itinerary included the commissioning of several flagship projects including the newly constructed Anambra Government House complex and the much-anticipated Soludo Solution Fun City.

Describing the initiatives as a bold leap toward repositioning Anambra as a future economic nerve center of Africa, the president commended Soludo’s clear and progressive agenda. He drew parallels between the transformation of global cities like Dubai and Taiwan and the ambitious dreams currently being pursued in the state.

“Today, I have commissioned not just buildings, but visions turned into reality,” Tinubu said to a cheering audience. “The Solution Fun City and the mini-government city are testaments to what effective leadership can deliver in a short span of time. These are no ordinary projects; they are footprints of a dream in motion.”

The president’s remarks quickly shifted from ceremonial praise to strategic affirmation, as he acknowledged the alignment of the state’s transformation blueprint with his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda. Referencing Anambra’s growing infrastructure network, educational development programs, and digital economy prospects, Tinubu called the state a “rising force in Africa.”

He underscored his admiration for Soludo’s dedication, stating that the former Central Bank governor’s past successes in banking reforms — particularly the historic consolidation of Nigerian banks — were only a prelude to his current achievements in governance. “People once said it was impossible to restructure the banking system, but Soludo did it,” Tinubu noted. “Now he is redefining Anambra’s future with the same resolve.”

That admiration, however, was not limited to governance alone. In a light-hearted but telling moment, Tinubu declared his emotional connection to the state, jokingly requesting Governor Soludo to allocate him land for a retirement home. “Perhaps it’s time my friend and your governor found me a plot of land in this blossoming state,” he quipped. “I’m not just visiting — I’m becoming one of you, a son of the soil.”

The playful aside resonated deeply with many in the crowd, as it signaled more than just goodwill. It hinted at stronger political and developmental collaborations between the federal and state governments. For many observers, the comment symbolized Tinubu’s endorsement of Soludo not just as an ally but as a strategic partner in national progress.

While addressing the crowd, Tinubu reiterated the importance of vision in governance. “Dubai used to be a desert. Taiwan was once economically insignificant. But vision turned them into giants. Soludo’s dream of turning Anambra into the Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley of Africa is not far-fetched. It is achievable.”

The visit and the commissioning of projects come at a critical moment for Anambra, as the state ramps up efforts to attract local and international investors. With roads, housing infrastructure, digital hubs, and human capital development projects underway, Soludo’s administration is aggressively laying the groundwork for a 21st-century economic model in the state.

For Governor Soludo, Tinubu’s endorsement was both validating and strategic. Speaking after the president, he emphasized that the projects unveiled were only the beginning. He outlined plans to expand the Anambra Tech Valley, improve inter-city transport connectivity, and build stronger education-industry linkages.

Observers noted that Tinubu’s remarks could signal deeper federal investment in southeastern Nigeria, a region often cited for its entrepreneurial spirit but historically underfunded in infrastructure and federal programs. If followed through, such a relationship could help unlock long-standing economic bottlenecks and reinforce national unity through equitable development.

As Tinubu’s convoy departed the square, the sentiment among the gathered crowd was one of renewed optimism. For many residents, the combination of Soludo’s vision and Tinubu’s federal backing paints a picture of Anambra not just as a state within Nigeria, but as a future innovation hub for the continent.

And for Tinubu himself, the idea of retiring to a state he now calls a “second home” may one day become more than a joke — a personal endorsement of a legacy rooted in partnership, progress, and shared dreams.