Soludo appoints Chiamaka Nnake as 1st female SSG in Anambra

Chukwuma Soludo has appointed 39-year-old Chiamaka Nnake as the new secretary to the state government, SSG, in Anambra state, marking a historic first as the position is now held by a woman in the state.

The announcement was conveyed on Monday by Christian Aburime, the governor’s chief press secretary.

Nnake, who hails from Nawfia in Njikoka local government area, brings extensive experience in public administration and economic planning.

She previously served as commissioner for budget and economic planning and also chaired Solution Fun City Limited.

“As Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, she led the effective mobilization, planning, and allocation of state resources to drive socio-economic development,” the statement reads.

“She also held key leadership roles across several state boards and initiatives, including the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service Board, and the Small Business Agency.

“As the state’s Reform Champion for Ease of Doing Business and focal point for Social Investment Programmes, she continues to champion reforms and inclusive growth. She also serves as Nigeria Chairperson for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity, HOPE, Programme.”

Before transitioning into government, Nnake built her career in the private sector, working as a senior strategy consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers Nigeria, where she handled over 30 projects spanning finance, agriculture, and the public sector.

She was recognised with the firm’s CEO award in 2021.

Her professional journey also includes roles at IHS Towers as a business analyst and at Meristem Securities Limited as an equity research analyst.

Academically, she holds an MBA from Lagos Business School and earned a first-class degree in accounting from Benson Idahosa University.

She is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a member of its national advisory committee.

Nnake has also completed level one of the Chartered Financial Analyst programme.

The new SSG further enhanced her policy expertise at Harvard Kennedy School and is currently pursuing a PhD in public policy.

She also played a role in shaping the Anambra Vision 2070 development blueprint.

Governor Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, was sworn in for a second term on March 17.