Human Capital and Social Agenda

The philosophy here is moving from “handouts” to “empowerment”—giving people the tools to fish rather than just giving them fish.

1. Education: “Ending the Era of Schools Without Teachers”

Governor Soludo declared a State of Emergency in Education immediately upon resuming office. His administration believes that the quality of education is defined by the quality of the teacher.

• Massive Recruitment: The administration ended a long drought in teacher employment by recruiting over 8,000 teachers in less than two years.

  • 5,000 teachers were recruited in the first batch (2022) to fill the gap in primary and secondary schools.

  • 3,000+ teachers were recruited in subsequent rounds to ensure no school is left understaffed.

  • Merit-Based System: The recruitment process was strictly computer-based (CBT) and merit-driven, with no “political slots” allowed.

     

• Free Education: The government abolished tuition fees and all “hidden levies” (PTA levies, exam fees, etc.) in public schools from Nursery to JSS3 (Junior Secondary), later extending this free education policy to SS1 – SS3 (Senior Secondary) in 2024 to ensure no child drops out due to poverty.

• Digital Curriculum: Introduction of digital skills training in schools to prepare students for the global tech economy.

2. Health: “A Healthy Nation is a Wealthy Nation”

The goal is to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for the most vulnerable.

• Free Antenatal & Delivery: A flagship policy where pregnant women in Anambra State receive free antenatal care and free delivery services (including Caesarean sections) in all general hospitals and government-designated primary health centers.

  • Impact: This has significantly reduced maternal mortality and financial strain on low-income families.

• Recruitment of Medical Staff: To fix the “hospitals without doctors” syndrome, the government recruited over 1,000 health workers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians, to man the General Hospitals and Primary Health Centers (PHCs).

• Telemedicine: Introduction of a telemedicine hub where doctors can remotely consult with patients in rural PHCs, ensuring that even remote villages have access to expert medical advice.

• Upgrade of Facilities: Massive renovation of 326 Primary Health Centers (one in every ward) and General Hospitals (e.g., Ekwulobia, Enugwu-Ukwu) with solar power to ensure 24/7 operation.

3. Youth Empowerment: “1 Youth, 2 Skills”

This is the administration’s signature program for youth employment, moving away from “political empowering” (buying motorcycles/tricycles) to sustainable skills.

• 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution:

  • The Model: A master-apprentice scheme where youths are trained in two viable skills (one core skill + one support skill like digital literacy or entrepreneurship).

  • Grant Capital: After training, beneficiaries receive a start-up grant (ranging from N500k to millions) to start their businesses, not a loan.

  • Scale: Thousands of youths have been trained and empowered under this scheme, creating a new wave of “Jagaban” entrepreneurs (a term Soludo uses for self-made successes).

• Solution Innovation District (SID):

  • Located in Awka, this is the tech hub designed to train 20,000 youths annually in high-demand digital skills (software engineering, product design, data analysis).

  • Goal: To export tech talent globally, allowing Anambra youths to earn in Dollars while living in Anambra.

4. Social Welfare: “The Compassionate State”

The agenda includes a safety net for the most vulnerable members of society.

• Vulnerable Groups: Targeted support for persons with disabilities (PWDs), widows, and the elderly.

• Gender: A deliberate policy of inclusion for women in governance.

• Burial Law: Enforcement of the Anambra Burial Law to reduce the “wasteful expenditure” on funerals, encouraging people to spend money on the living (human capital) rather than the dead.