Soludo seeks deeper Poland–Anambra ties after meeting envoy

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has called for a long-term, sustainable partnership between Anambra State and Poland, following talks with the Polish ambassador to Nigeria.

Receiving Michael Cygan in Awka, the governor said Nigeria could draw lessons from Poland’s development trajectory, urging confidence in the country’s potential for rapid economic transformation.

He welcomed the ambassador’s role as guest speaker at the upcoming convocation of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, describing it as aligned with the state’s ambition for intellectual and economic growth.

Soludo said Anambra offered a strategic base for international partnerships beyond Lagos and Abuja, citing its strong entrepreneurial culture and global business networks. He emphasised that strengthening private-sector ties would be key to building a durable relationship.

Ambassador Cygan acknowledged that Poland’s academic engagement in Nigeria had not matched its ambitions, noting that previous exchanges lacked depth. He described his visit as a step towards more practical cooperation and a “promising beginning”.

He praised Anambra’s cultural identity, saying it reflects values similar to Poland’s respect for tradition, and expressed interest in making the state a key focus of Poland’s relations with Nigeria.

Earlier, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Kate Omenugha, said hosting the envoy at the convocation marked progress in the institution’s push for stronger international collaboration. She added that the development underscored efforts to enhance the university’s global visibility under the current administration.

Senior state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government and the governor’s aides, were also present at the meeting.