Soludo Picks Abia Native as Anambra Accountant General in Bold Move

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has appointed Mr. Joachim Achor, a native of Abia State, as the new Accountant General of Anambra, breaking away from the state’s tradition of reserving such top roles for indigenes.

Achor’s journey in Anambra began decades ago when he came in search of education. He studied at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and later served in the state during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. During that time, he was named the best corps member and received the NYSC State Merit Award. His performance earned him a rare offer of automatic employment by the then-military government, marking the beginning of a long career in the state’s civil service.

He steadily climbed the ranks—first as a director, then permanent secretary, and now Accountant General. His appointment, according to the governor’s press secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, is based strictly on merit, professional track record, and a commitment to public service.

Soludo’s decision follows another recent appointment of Mr. Adebayo Ojeyinka from Osun State as a permanent secretary. These back-to-back selections reflect the governor’s push for a more inclusive, diverse, and competence-driven government. The process for selecting Achor was said to include computer-based tests, merit-based screening, and a final personal interview with the governor to evaluate alignment with his administration’s reform vision.

In past administrations, such appointments often went to political loyalists or indigenes, but Soludo’s approach marks a shift. His focus is on institutional integrity, national integration, and building a civil service that reflects excellence over ethnicity.

The governor’s team says these appointments are meant to build a stronger, fairer civil service that welcomes talent from all parts of the country. They believe this sends a strong signal that Anambra is open to anyone ready to serve with skill and commitment.

Achor has described the appointment as deeply humbling and praised Governor Soludo for his vision of a Nigeria where merit counts more than state of origin. He thanked the people of Anambra for embracing him as one of their own and expressed his readiness to keep serving with dedication.