By Angela Nwnaodu
The Anambra State ICT Agency has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of a smart and liveable homeland with a renewed focus on Artificial Intelligence-driven governance, digital infrastructure, innovation, and institutional transformation.
This formed the core of discussions at the Agency’s Second Tenure Team Retreat 2026 held at the ICT Conference Hall under the theme: “The Next Four Years: Becoming Nigeria’s First AI-Native ICT Agency.
In his opening remarks, the MD/CEO of the Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, thanked God for the opportunity to continue serving following his reappointment by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and charged staff to embrace the changing realities of the digital age.
He stressed that the future of work within the Agency would be heavily driven by Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing that staff members must intentionally develop competence in AI tools and digital systems to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving technology ecosystem.
According to him, the Agency must become more creative, efficient, prudent, and execution-driven in delivering digital solutions for the state.
“We must use AI intelligently, execute with speed, and do things differently,” he charged the team,capable of transforming governance and digital service delivery in Anambra State and beyond.”
Delivering the keynote strategic session titled “The Next Four Years – Becoming Nigeria’s First AI-Native ICT Agency,” the Chief Technology Officer of the Agency, Chinonso Okoye, PhD, highlighted the need for the Agency to evolve into an AI-first institution capable of competing globally.
Drawing lessons from countries such as Singapore, Ireland, and Estonia, he explained how governments across the world are leveraging AI to improve efficiency, automate public services, and drive smarter governance systems.
He noted that the strategic direction of the Agency for the next four years would be built on strengthening internal AI competence while deploying digital solutions capable of transforming public service delivery across the state.
The retreat also featured a four-year retrospective review session where staff reflected on the Agency’s achievements, challenges, lessons, and future opportunities. Discussions centered around institutional culture, broadband penetration efforts, internal operational systems, collaboration gaps, and opportunities for consolidation and growth.
Participants later broke into strategic working groups focused on Smart Government and Infrastructure, Cybersecurity and E-Government, Digital Economy, as well as Human Capital, Institutional Capacity and Governance.
Also speaking during the retreat, the Agency’s Technical Personnel, Rev. Canon Sunday Folayan, reminded participants that every strategic plan must remain SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. He further charged the team to remain aligned and intentional in achieving the state’s digital transformation goals.
In his closing remarks, CFA urged staff to brace up for the task ahead by consolidating on existing gains and giving their best towards advancing Governor Soludo’s vision of a smart and liveable Anambra.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Acting Director of the Agency, Chinyelu Odigbo appreciated the management and facilitators for providing another opportunity to shape the digital transformation narrative of Anambra State.
The retreat ended with a collective resolution by the Agency team to continue deploying smarter and more innovative approaches in driving the digital agenda of the state, while prioritizing continuous learning and mastery of emerging AI tools.
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