Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has appointed Chiamaka Nnake as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), making her the first female and youngest person to occupy the position in the state’s history.

The appointment, announced on Monday, is seen as a significant step toward promoting youth inclusion and gender representation in governance.

At 39, Nnake brings over 13 years of professional experience spanning finance, economic planning and public sector strategy. Prior to her appointment, she served as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Anambra State, where she played a key role in resource mobilisation and socio-economic reforms.

She has also held leadership roles across several state institutions, including chairing Solution Fun City Limited and contributing to the activities of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service Board, and the Small Business Agency.

Recognised for her reform-driven approach, Nnake served as Anambra’s Reform Champion for Ease of Doing Business and as focal person for Social Investment Programmes. She is currently Nigeria’s Chairperson for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Programme.

Before joining public service, she worked as a Senior Strategy Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she led over 30 engagements across multiple sectors and earned the firm’s CEO Award in 2021.

Nnake also contributed to the development of the Anambra Vision 2070 blueprint, a long-term strategy aimed at transforming the state’s economic outlook.

An alumna of Lagos Business School, she holds an MBA and graduated with First-Class Honours in Accounting from Benson Idahosa University. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has completed executive training at Harvard Kennedy School. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved a ₦10,000 monthly salary top-up for civil servants and local government workers as part of an emergency measure to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices.

The intervention, announced in a statement on Monday, will run for an initial period of three months, beginning in April 2026. It is expected to benefit thousands of public sector employees across ministries, departments, agencies, and all 33 local government areas in the state.

The move comes in response to the sharp increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) following the nationwide removal of fuel subsidies, which has significantly raised transportation costs and overall living expenses.

According to the state government, the temporary wage boost is designed to ease the financial burden on workers, particularly those who depend on daily commuting.

“The Governor has approved this temporary salary top-up specifically to cushion the effect of the petrol price increase on our dedicated workforce,” the statement read, adding that the measure is not a permanent salary adjustment but a targeted relief effort.

The administration noted that the situation will be reviewed at the end of the three-month period in June 2026, with the possibility of extending the support or introducing alternative interventions depending on economic conditions.

Labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in Oyo State, have reacted positively, describing the initiative as timely in the face of mounting cost-of-living pressures.

The salary top-up adds to a series of worker-focused policies implemented by the Makinde administration, including regular salary payments, clearance of pension arrears, and other welfare programmes.

With inflation and fuel costs continuing to strain household incomes nationwide, similar relief measures are increasingly being adopted by state governments to support public sector workers.

The European Union and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties following the 8th Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue held in Abuja on Monday.

EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, on her first official visit to Nigeria, underscored the country’s strategic importance as Africa’s most populous nation, a major economic hub, and a political force, stressing that its stability is critical to the wider region.

“Nigeria is a key partner to the European Union, and there is strong potential to deepen our cooperation even further,” Kallas said during a joint press briefing with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

She noted that EU-Nigeria relations have steadily expanded in recent years and expressed optimism about sustaining that momentum.

Security Cooperation

Both parties highlighted growing security concerns, particularly the rise in jihadist activities linked to groups such as Boko Haram, which continue to threaten regional stability.

Kallas reaffirmed Europe’s support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, stating, “Nigeria is a bulwark in the fight against terrorism, and Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria.”

Over the past decade, the EU has committed more than €700 million to support counterterrorism, rule of law, stabilisation initiatives, and the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The recent launch of the EU-Nigeria Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue further strengthens this collaboration.

Trade, Investment and Development

The EU remains Nigeria’s largest trading and investment partner, accounting for over a quarter of the country’s trade volume. More than 200 European companies currently operate in Nigeria, employing about 130,000 people.

Through its Global Gateway initiative, the EU is advancing new projects in Nigeria across digital innovation, agriculture, and healthcare, with €66 million in grants and €221 million in concessional loans.

An EU-Nigeria Business Forum scheduled for June in Lagos is expected to further boost investment flows and partnerships.

Technology and Migration

Discussions are ongoing for a Science, Technology and Innovation agreement under the Horizon Europe, described as mutually beneficial for both parties.

On migration, progress has been recorded on the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement, aimed at ensuring safe and dignified return of Nigerian migrants without legal stay in Europe.

Kallas commended Tuggar’s role in advancing the negotiations, noting that the agreement demonstrates that trust can deliver results, even on sensitive issues.

Regional Stability and Future Outlook

The dialogue also addressed regional challenges across West Africa, including unconstitutional changes of government, Sahel-based insurgencies, and humanitarian crises.

The EU reaffirmed its support for ECOWAS as a key framework for maintaining regional stability and democratic order.

On critical minerals, Kallas disclosed that while no formal agreement has been signed, discussions are ongoing to explore areas of cooperation.

She also welcomed signs of de-escalation in attacks on energy infrastructure, noting their destabilising impact on the region.

Reiterating Europe’s position, Kallas said, “The EU is a reliable and predictable partner for Nigeria. We believe in this partnership, and today’s dialogue marks the beginning of an ambitious new phase in EU-Nigeria relations.”