Nigeria: No More Agitation for Autonomous Communities in Anambra, Govt Declares

What the report says

The Anambra State government says it will no longer support agitation for new autonomous communities, following what it described as a Supreme Court position against the creation of more separate units. According to the report published by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, the issue was discussed at the state Executive Council meeting in Awka, where officials said fragmentation could deepen confusion and conflict in larger communities.

The government urged residents and community leaders pressing for autonomy to abandon the campaign and instead focus on unity and local development within existing community structures. The administration also said it accepts the court’s ruling as settling the matter, marking a clear policy shift on a long-running local demand in parts of the state.

At the same meeting, the council dismissed claims that the government planned to take back mission schools previously returned to churches. It said there was no such plan, but added that it wants minimum operating standards for both public and private primary schools and may close schools that do not meet them. The report also said Anambra has recruited 8,115 teachers and that 3,500 have been posted to mission-returned schools.

The cabinet meeting also reviewed the Onitsha Main Market regeneration project, which officials said remains on schedule for a December deadline. That project is part of the Soludo administration’s effort to restore the market’s layout and public image.