By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The capital city of Anambra State, Awka, has officially established a sister city relationship with Carson City, California, United States, in a development expected to foster stronger cultural, economic, and governance ties between the two cities.
According to a press statement issued over the weekend by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Hon. Dr. Ossy Onuko, the resolution was reached on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Carson California City Council.
It was further gathered that, as part of the agreement, the Mayor of Carson City, Hon. Lula Davis-Holmes, and her delegation are scheduled to visit Awka from December 7 to 14, 2025, for the official signing of the sister city protocol agreement.
Dr. Onuko explained that the relationship will explore multiple avenues of collaboration, spanning governance, commerce, community development, and cultural exchange. He described the development as being indicative to the rising profile of Awka as a modern capital city with global relevance, noting that the partnership aligns with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of transforming Awka into a livable and prosperous smart mega city.
Further findings by this reporter revealed that the move followed Carson City’s earlier establishment of similar ties with cities in Japan and the Philippines. A memorandum of understanding for the partnership with Awka was signed in 2022, and the upcoming visit will serve to formalize and deepen the relationship.
Shedding more light on the development during a presentation at the Carson City Council, Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said: “I’m happy to announce that the City of Carson has been officially invited to visit Awka, Nigeria, in December to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between our two great cities and further enhance economic, educational, and other exchanges.”
The Council also showcased a short documentary video about Awka, highlighting its history, culture, and prospects as a regional hub.
According to the details of the documentary, Awka, designated as the capital of Anambra State in 1991, currently has an estimated population of about 430,000, while Anambra State itself had an estimated 5.6 million residents as of 2022. The city is historically regarded as a cradle of Igbo civilization, famed for its traditional blacksmithing and the production of bronze works dating as far back as 800 AD.
Today, Awka hosts major state and federal institutions, including the Anambra State Government House, the State Assembly, the Central Bank of Nigeria branch, and a Nigeria Television Authority station. It is also home to two universities—Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Paul University, among growing private institutions. Its economy is driven by agriculture, trade, services, and manufacturing, with yams, cassava, and rice being some of its leading produce.
Awka is also a critical part of the Onitsha-Nnewi-Awka (ONA) industrial axis, one of the fastest-growing economic corridors in southeastern Nigeria. In recent years, under the Soludo administration, Awka has witnessed accelerated infrastructural and urban renewal projects, aimed at positioning the city as a viable global destination for investment and tourism.
The upcoming visit of the Carson City delegation in December is expected to feature a series of cultural, economic, and official exchange programs that will further consolidate the partnership and open new opportunities for both cities.
Dr. Onuko, in an interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, assured that Awka is fully prepared to host its international guests, adding that the ACTDA is already working with stakeholders to ensure that the visit is successful, impactful, and memorable.
“Awka is on the rise,” he declared, emphasizing the significance of the relationship as a milestone in the capital city’s journey toward global recognition and international relevance.
Watch the video below:
