By Maureen Agbala
In an ambitious push to digitise governance and bring government closer to the people, the Anambra State Government has launched the Solution Lens Platform, a civic-tech portal intended to serve as a digital gateway to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
The launch, which was held at the Solution Innovation District in Awka, was a collaborative initiative by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Ministry of Information, and the Anambra State ICT Agency.
The platform, accessible at lens.anambrastate.gov.ng, is designed as a single window through which citizens can monitor government programmes, projects, and policy decisions, while providing real-time feedback and submitting inquiries.
At the centre of this innovation lies the broader philosophy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration: open, responsive, and inclusive governance. The portal forms a key component of the “Solution Agenda,” the administration’s flagship development blueprint.
Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and initiator of the platform, who expressed her deep appreciation to Gov Soludo for his vision on involving Anambra citizenry on transparency governance, described the launch as a milestone that reflects “a deeper ideological commitment to open government.” She added that the portal will not merely display government activities but actively invite the people to participate in governance, reinforcing the belief that public trust must be earned through “deliberate and visible action.”
Dr Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information, echoed this sentiment, describing the project as a tool to democratise development. He revealed that many Information Officers had already been trained to manage the platform’s content, with further training planned to improve digital proficiency across government communications. “We share the governor’s belief that the future of Anambra is rooted in innovation and technology,” he said.
Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Managing Director of the Anambra ICT Agency, called the initiative a “real-time information hub” that would allow citizens to track the implementation of public programmes, evaluate development indicators, and interact constructively with government officials. “In today’s digital age, such platforms are essential for fostering public trust and driving inclusive development,” he noted.
While the state government views the platform as a key step toward closing the gap between citizens and the bureaucracy, civil society and the media see it as both an opportunity and a test.
Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, represented at the launch by the Council’s Secretary, Dr Okechukwu Onuegbu, applauded the initiative, saying it would strengthen the capacity of journalists to conduct data-driven, investigative reporting. However, he cautioned against censorship or selective reporting. “This platform must remain a space for open discourse,” he said, urging administrators to commit to regular updates and transparent citizen engagement.
Prince Chris Azor, Coordinator of the Anambra Civil Society Network and Co-chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), described the platform as a “democratic instrument” that would empower civil society to monitor governance more effectively and hold public officials accountable.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with weak public institutions, Anambra’s move to online tools shows how digital gadgets can help fix government and let people see what is happening.
- Agbala is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
