The surprise announcement came during the first anniversary celebration of Solution Fun City in Awka on Sunday, where Umeaniba was among the students entertaining guests with a dance performance. It was after her performance that the governor was informed that she had scored an impressive 344 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Moved by both her academic excellence and leadership role as a senior prefect, Soludo immediately pledged to sponsor her education from undergraduate studies through to a PhD.
"Your education from undergraduate to PhD is on me. Yes, the bill is on me. I was also a senior prefect like you, I made the best result.
"You know why I'm touched: I was a senior prefect like her, I went into the university and made a first class honours and won all the departmental and faculty prizes.
"I am also wishing that she, as a senior prefect and making 344 in UTME, is going in there, I can see her coming out with first class honours, but the bill I will pay. Even after my tenure as a governor, I will continue to pay the bills."
The governor's declaration drew applause from the audience as Umeaniba, visibly overwhelmed by the gesture, expressed gratitude for the scholarship, describing it as an opportunity that would inspire her to strive for greater academic success.
Beyond the scholarship announcement, Soludo highlighted the achievements of Solution Fun City, describing it as a landmark project aimed at positioning Anambra as a leading destination for tourism, leisure and investment.
According to him, the facility, which was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025 before opening to the public on June 28, 2025, was designed to serve people across all age groups and social classes while stimulating economic activities within the state.
The governor said the recreational centre has already begun attracting significant investor interest, leading to plans for additional large-scale developments, including residential estates and industrial cities. He added that his administration would continue expanding the facility to maintain its appeal and strengthen Anambra's reputation as an investment-friendly state.
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Solution Fun City, Chiamaka Nnake, described the project as a reflection of Soludo's commitment to delivering impactful development projects for residents.
She disclosed that the facility recorded an average of 10,000 visitors daily between late December and mid-January, attracting tourists and fun seekers from within Anambra and other parts of the country.
The anniversary celebration featured cultural displays, dance performances and a range of recreational activities, with Umeaniba's recognition emerging as one of the day's most memorable highlights.