AWKA, June 17, 2026 – The Anambra State Government has strengthened its drive toward a technology-driven economy with the graduation of 480 participants trained in various digital and innovation-focused fields under its technology development programme.
The beneficiaries comprised 300 trainees in robotics, 100 Internet Service Provider (ISP) network engineering participants, and 80 graduates of a startup incubation programme. They were formally presented during a ceremony held at the new Government House in Awka on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, Governor Chukwuma Soludo congratulated the graduates and highlighted the growing importance of digital technology in shaping modern economies and transforming virtually every sector of human activity.
He explained that the initiative, implemented through the Solution Innovation District (SID), was designed to build a robust talent pipeline and position Anambra as a leading hub for innovation and digital enterprise.
The governor encouraged the graduates to maximise the opportunities provided by their training and leverage technology to create solutions, businesses, and employment opportunities.
According to him, the state is determined to nurture innovation from an early stage by promoting technology education in schools and supporting young people with creative ideas.
Soludo said his administration hopes to see more technology startups and innovative products emerge from educational institutions, particularly secondary schools, stressing that early exposure to innovation is critical to future success.
He added that efforts would also be extended to younger learners and complemented through collaboration with private-sector stakeholders to deepen technology adoption across the state.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation and Chief Executive Officer of SID, Ms. Chinwe Okoli, thanked the governor, development partners, stakeholders, and participants for contributing to the success of the programme.
Okoli noted that the state government recognises the value of investing in human capital and believes private-sector participation remains essential to accelerating technological advancement and entrepreneurship.
She stated that Anambra’s digital transformation agenda is already yielding measurable results, describing it as an ongoing reality rather than a future aspiration.
According to her, although the initial target was to train 10,000 individuals annually, more than 30,000 people have already benefited from various technology-focused training programmes within the first year.
She identified the three flagship initiatives as Robotics Training, ISP Network Engineering, and the Anambra Startup Incubation Programme, all of which are designed to equip participants with practical skills and industry-relevant knowledge.
Okoli explained that the programmes are built around key pillars including hands-on learning, access to modern infrastructure, mentorship from experienced professionals, and support mechanisms that help participants transform innovative ideas into viable businesses.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for young people through technology education and entrepreneurship programmes aimed at driving economic growth and innovation.