Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has officially approved the appointment of Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The announcement, confirmed on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, marks a strategic elevation for Nnake, who has been a key player in the administration’s economic team.
A Track Record of Economic Excellence
Prior to her new appointment, the 39-year-old Nnake served as the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, where she was responsible for the mobilization and allocation of state resources to drive sustainable growth. Her leadership extended across several high-impact state initiatives, including:
- Solution Fun City Limited: Serving as Chairman to oversee urban development projects.
- State Boards: Providing strategic oversight for the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency and the Internal Revenue Service Board.
- Ease of Doing Business: Acting as the state’s Reform Champion to streamline business operations and attract investment.
- Social Investment: Serving as the focal point for Social Investment Programmes and the Nigeria Chairperson for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Programme.
Deep Roots in Global Strategy and Finance
Nnake’s transition into public service follows a distinguished career in the private sector. Most notably, she was a Senior Strategy Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria. During her tenure there, she led over 30 major engagements across international markets, specializing in financial services, agriculture, and the public sector. Her work at PwC was instrumental in developing the Anambra Vision 2070, the state's comprehensive 50-year development blueprint.
Her professional journey also includes significant roles at:
- IHS Towers: Serving as a Business Analyst for one of the world's largest telecommunications infrastructure providers.
- Meristem Securities Limited: Working as an Equity Research Analyst covering the consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Academic and Professional Pedigree
A native of Nawfia in the Njikoka Local Government Area, Nnake boasts an elite academic background. She holds a first-class honors degree in Accounting from Benson Idahosa University and an MBA from the Lagos Business School, where she received the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma recognition for academic excellence.
Her professional certifications and ongoing education include:
- ACCA Fellowship: A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a member of its National Advisory Committee.
- Harvard Kennedy School: Completion of the Implementing Public Policy executive program.
- Advanced Research: Currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and has passed Level I of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) programme.
The appointment is expected to further strengthen Governor Soludo's administration as it continues to implement the Combined Transition Plan and drive the socio-economic transformation of Anambra State.