Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has awarded a full scholarship to Chiazo Umeaniba, a student of Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nnewi, after she scored 344 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Umeaniba, who serves as the school's senior prefect, was recognized as the top UTME scorer in the state. The scholarship covers her education from university through doctoral studies.
Scholarship Announced During Event Celebration
The announcement took place during the first anniversary celebration of Solution Fun City in Awka on Sunday, June 28. Umeaniba had performed as a dancer entertaining guests at the event. Governor Soludo later learned that she was not only a senior prefect but also achieved an outstanding UTME score.
According to The Punch, Soludo then declared, “Your education from undergraduate to PhD is on me. Yes, the bill is on me.” He expressed hope that Umeaniba would graduate with a first-class degree and assured that her education expenses would continue to be covered even after his tenure as governor ends.
Governor Draws Parallel to His Own Academic Journey
Soludo shared that he was inspired by Umeaniba's story because he too was a senior prefect during his school days and achieved strong academic results. “I was also a senior prefect like you; I made the best result,” he said. He recalled entering university after serving as a senior prefect and graduating with first-class honors while winning departmental and faculty prizes. He expressed confidence that Umeaniba has the potential for similar success given her academic performance and leadership role.
Solution Fun City Marks First Anniversary
The scholarship announcement coincided with the celebration of one year of Solution Fun City, a recreational center in Awka. The facility was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025 and opened to the public on June 28, 2025. Soludo described the project as part of his administration's plan to position Anambra as a destination for tourism and investment, noting that the center has attracted investor interest and that more infrastructure projects are underway to expand the facility.
Chiamaka Nnake, Secretary to the Anambra State Government and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Solution Fun City, stated that the facility reflects Soludo's development vision. She reported that the center recorded an average of 10,000 visitors daily between late December and mid-January, drawing guests from within and outside Anambra.
Student Expresses Gratitude
Umeaniba thanked the governor for the scholarship. The anniversary event also featured cultural displays and other recreational activities.
Previous Support for Startups
Earlier, Soludo approved N80 million for 80 startups to support innovation and boost the state's technology ecosystem. Each beneficiary received N1 million after completing a 12-week incubation program focused on business growth, financial planning, and investor readiness. The initiative also produced 400 technology graduates in robotics and network engineering, with plans for a N1 billion broadband expansion fund announced.
