By Ovat Abeng
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, has reaffirmed his resolve to position the Agency as Nigeria’s first AI-native ICT institution, in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of building a smart and liveable homeland.
Agbata made this known during the Agency’s Second Tenure Team Retreat 2026 held at the ICT Conference Hall, on Tuesday under the theme: “The Next Four Years: Becoming Nigeria’s First AI-Native ICT Agency.”
In his opening remarks, CFA, as he is fondly called, thanked God for the opportunity to continue serving following his reappointment by Governor Soludo, while charging staff to embrace the changing realities of the digital age.
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He emphasized that the next phase of the Agency’s operations would be heavily driven by Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need for staff to intentionally build 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 Anambra State.
“We must use AI intelligently, execute with speed, and do things differently,” he charged the team, noting that Artificial Intelligence possesses the capacity to transform governance and digital service delivery in Anambra State and beyond.
The retreat featured a keynote strategic session titled “The Next Four Years: Becoming Nigeria’s First AI-Native ICT Agency,” delivered by the Agency’s Chief Technology Officer, Chinonso Okoye, who 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 further noted that the Agency’s strategic direction over the next four years would focus on strengthening internal AI competence while deploying digital solutions capable of transforming public service delivery across the state.
As part of efforts to consolidate on existing gains, the retreat also featured a four-year retrospective review session where staff reflected on achievements, challenges, lessons, and future opportunities. Discussions focused on institutional culture, broadband penetration efforts, internal operational systems, collaboration gaps, and opportunities for growth and consolidation.
Participants later broke into strategic working groups covering 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 Adviser, Sunday Folayan, reminded participants that every strategic plan must remain SMART; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. He further urged the team to remain aligned and intentional in achieving the state’s digital transformation goals.
In his closing remarks, CFA again 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 state’s digital agenda, while prioritizing continuous learning and mastery of emerging AI tools.
