By Jubal Kanayo
“So Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo is already 60 years?” I asked my editor.
“Yes, go on and do a short feature on him.”
“Besides that stint as CBN governor and his foray into politics, I barely know the man.”
“Well, write what little you do know about him.” There was an edge to his voice. I scurried off. His reaction tottered on the edge of irritation.
Just about the time Olusegun Obasanjo became president, news began to filter in about Nigerians doing great things all over the world, some with the International Monetary Fund and others with the World Bank. Two of these people were surely going to get into Obasanjo’s government, everyone was sure – Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Oby Ezekwesili (who was nick-named ‘Madam Due Process’ after she was made a minister of the cabinet).
No one saw Prof. Charles Soludo coming.
Not very known then, he swept into office with a number of changes and an audacity only experience and a knowledge could have bestowed, he went about making changes in the CBN and the nation’s financial sphere at the time.
He got a lot of people talking and wondering who this man was, I Googled his name. I was embarrassed; he graduated in 1984 – with a First Class degree – went on to earn his Master’s three years later and, by the time 1989 rolled around, he had his doctorate in the kitty.
He graduated as the best student at all levels of study.
He was called “brash,” “rash” by many who did not agree with him but it did not stop him. He spoke his mind with a conviction that was both disturbing and inspiring; whether he was speaking about politics and governance, economy, youth empowerment, women empowerment, poverty, COVID-19 etc. He was hated and loved by an almost equal number of Nigerians – he was that polarising.
In the end, as many reminisced on his time as the CBN governor, it gradually became a natural verdict that he did not do badly. Proof of this is in his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari into the 8-member Economic Advisory Council (EAC) in 2019.
But this is not about his achievements and his time at the CBN or his foray into politics to become the governor of Anambra State; this is about how Soludo (his name means ‘follow peace’ in his native tongue, by the way) has piled on the accolades and carved his name on the hallowed walls of Nigerian history, while going on to join the sexagenarians.
One of the illustrious sons of his native Aguata in Anambra State, Soludo wears his beliefs, convictions and service to humanity as a badge of honour.
Once, when it seemed his time as CBN governor was being criticised, he shot from the hip. He agreed that there were challenges and everything did not go as planned “but for anyone to suggest that CBN, under me, for one minute, took its eyes off the ball is, to say the least, ludicrous”.
Soludo is not just a sound economist, the admirable, passionate academic is also a writer, a speaker, an administrator, researcher, an educator and a well-travelled man.
Soludo is one man who deserved every award ever presented to him; from the D.SC (Honoris Causa) by the University of Calabar, to being named a Great Reformer by the Financial Times of London, honoured with a a D.SC (Honoris Causa) by the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, awarded the merit of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) – Nigeria’s third-highest national honour – wining the Global Banker’s Award in London in 2006, being named the Global and African Central Bank Governor of the Year (2005, 2006 and 2007) by a number of media outlets, including The Banker Magazine (published by the Financial Times of London) and the Red Cross awards for his contributions to the development of the society, in 2018.
Soludo’s career path is lit with inspiring stories to inspire the young and his doggedness is one which every young person who aspire to be someone of repute should emulate.
Soludo is a thoroughbred economist who still travels the world to deliver lectures and inspire young economists.
Besides working at the World Bank as a short and long-term consultant since 1993 and also at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, he was a consultant to UNCTAD; European Union (EU), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), United Nations (UN) New York, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), African Development Bank (AfDB), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Union (AU), International Development Research Council (IDRC) Canada, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others.
Happy 60th birthday, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Many hearty cheers and many happy returns to one of Nigeria’s illustrious sons and sharpest minds. May the nation continue to find your knowledge and experience invaluable.
