Anambra Unveils ‘Solution Lens’ To Boost Transparency And Civic Engagement
By Marvelous Ezenwa
The Anambra State Government has launched Solution Lens, a civic technology platform designed to promote transparency, accountability, and active citizen engagement across the state. The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, was unveiled on Thursday in a joint effort by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Information, and the Anambra State ICT Agency.
The platform, launched by the Anambra State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and the Anambra State ICT Agency, is designed to empower all citizens—including communities, students, civil society organizations, and journalists—to access, monitor, and report the progress of ongoing and completed government projects and programmes. It seeks to strengthen inclusive governance by making critical development data publicly available in real time.
Solution Lens serves as a digital gateway through which the public can stay informed about government activities, submit feedback, and suggest community needs directly to policymakers. From infrastructure projects to education and healthcare interventions, the platform offers a transparent window into the workings of government while encouraging civic participation.
The Managing Director and CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr. Fred Agbata, explained that the platform is part of a broader effort to bring governance closer to the people. He stated that while government investment in physical infrastructure such as roads is vital, it is equally important for the people to stay informed and involved. “This digital platform enables transparency. We want the public to engage actively because the platform’s impact depends on user feedback and participation,” Agbata said.
In addition, Agbata revealed that the state is piloting its Smart Education Initiative in 22 schools across the 21 local government areas. The programme aims to upgrade school infrastructure and integrate digital tools into teaching and learning. Teachers are undergoing intensive training to build digital competencies and adopt modern pedagogical methods suitable for today’s tech-driven education landscape.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, said the launch of Solution Lens was a direct response to public demand for more access to government activities. “It allows people to see what has been done and even suggest what their communities need,” she stated. She emphasized that the platform was initiated by Governor Soludo and developed by the ICT Agency to strengthen public engagement and monitoring.
Obiora Obiabunmo , Statistician-General and MD of the Anambra State Bureau of Statistics, described Solution Lens as a reflection of the governor’s commitment to data-driven and participatory governance. He noted that the platform offers a reliable interface for collecting citizen feedback and using real-time data to guide government decisions. “It is a meeting point between the people and the government, where realistic and positive feedback is used to shape decisions and improve governance outcomes,” Obiabunmo added.
Also speaking during the launch, Prince Chris Azuo, Chairman of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Anambra State, praised the state government for adopting global standards in transparency and citizen participation. He said the platform aligns with the principles of OGP 2.0, especially in giving citizens an active voice in democratic governance. “This platform now gives people the opportunity to engage, report, and provide feedback from anywhere,” Azuo said.
Despite financial constraints, stakeholders agreed that the Solution Lens project is a bold innovation in public sector accountability. They called on citizens—especially youths, journalists, civil society groups, and traditional institutions—to utilize the platform to support and strengthen good governance in Anambra State.
