By Peter Omopo
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has appointed Chiamaka Nnake as the Secretary to the State Government, making her the first woman to occupy the position since the creation of Anambra State in 1991.
The appointment was announced on Tuesday following the governor’s second-term inauguration.
Nnake, a 39-year-old finance expert from Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area, succeeds Professor Solomon Chukwulobelu, who served during Soludo’s first term and part of the previous administration.
Before her appointment, she was the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, where she oversaw reforms including the digitisation of fiscal processes and the introduction of a citizens’ budget framework.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the Government House in Awka, Governor Soludo described the office of the SSG as central to the administration’s operations, stressing that his second-term agenda would prioritise efficiency and performance.
He said the choice of Nnake reflects a commitment to merit, professionalism, and accelerated governance under his “Consolidation and Acceleration” agenda.
Alongside the appointment, the governor also announced other key officials, including Dr. Ben Nwankwo as Chief of Staff, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN) as Attorney General, and Mrs. Ngozi Iwouno as Head of Service.
The development has attracted commendation from civil society groups and gender advocates, who described it as a significant step toward inclusiveness and youth participation in governance.
Observers, however, note that the new SSG faces the challenge of managing administrative coordination and political interests within the state, particularly as the government pursues ambitious development programmes.
Nnake is an alumna of Lagos Business School and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
