By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
Anambra State has been recognised as a leading hub of digital governance in Nigeria, clinching two prestigious awards at the 2025 Nigeria GOVTECH Gala and Awards in Abuja.
The state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning was named the Best State MDA in Technology-Driven Governance, while its Bureau of Public Procurement received the Excellence in Digital Public Procurement Award.
In the wake of the achievement, the Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, outlined an urgent imperative for the state’s youth to rapidly adapt to the evolving digital landscape or risk being left behind in the global job market.
Agbata extolled Governor Charles Soludo’s commitment to technology, which has been a cornerstone of his administration’s “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” agenda since taking office in 2022.
“Our role as enablers is to ensure that the right digital infrastructure is in place to support innovation, enhance ease of doing business, and boost employability,” Agbata stated. “No meaningful transformation is possible without it.”
However, he highlighted a critical challenge facing the younger generation, which is the prohibitive cost of digital tools. “A good laptop today costs hundreds of thousands of naira. For many, that’s simply unaffordable,” Agbata said, identifying this as a major barrier to entry.
Beyond cost, he pointed to the rapid shift in employer demands. Skills like coding and design, once a golden ticket, are no longer sufficient in a market now dominated by artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. “AI is now an enabler across industries. Young people must evolve quickly to remain relevant,” Agbata cautioned, warning that automation threatens to render many current jobs obsolete within five years.
Agbata also stressed the importance of personal discipline, sharing his own story of starting out with a laptop bought from a loan. “Without discipline, it is difficult to learn and grow in tech,” he advised, while also addressing the urban-rural digital divide.
He called for deliberate subsidies and public-private partnerships to bridge the infrastructure gap between cities and rural communities.
On cybersecurity, a common concern in the digital age, Agbata was pragmatic. “Everything is hackable. But with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and vigilance, young people can stay safe enough to maximise opportunities.”
Ultimately, he framed partnerships as the key to sustainable progress, drawing a parallel to Silicon Valley. “In Anambra, a larger percentage of funds are in private hands. We need to make technology attractive for private investment,” he said, commending the inter-agency collaboration that led to the recent awards.
As Anambra continues its digital journey, Agbata is optimistic. With the right infrastructure, a supportive government, and a determined youth population ready to seize opportunities, the state is poised to produce global players in the tech arena.