For the 2025 Anambra Governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) formally presented Dr Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as its governorship candidate.
The businessman turned politician will go head-to-head with the incumbent Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as well as other top contenders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
Ukachukwu emerged as the APC’s standard-bearer after winning the party’s primary election earlier this year.
The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, affirmed his candidacy on April 19, 2025, when he officially presented the certificate of return to Ukachukwu to represent the party in the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State.
Naija News reports that this presentation followed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) endorsing the primary election chaired by Bassey Otu, the governor of Cross River, which submitted that Ukachukwu emerged as the APC flagbearer after winning with a total of 1,455 votes.
Ukachukwu has since named his running mate, Ekwunife Uche Lilian, signalling a strategic ticket aimed at consolidating APC’s chances in the state.
The party describes the pair as a blend of political experience and grassroots connection, set to challenge Soludo’s incumbency and the supposed APGA traditional dominance in Anambra politics.
Known as Ikukuoma Ndi Igbo, Ukachukwu has boldly declared that his ambition is to deliver a prosperous and self-sustaining Anambra State, anchored on job creation, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and transparent governance.
“Anambra ga-adi mma ozo!” (Anambra will be better again), he declares as his campaign slogan.
Ukachukwu’s Early Life And Educational Qualifications
Born on March 20, 1967, Nicholas Ukachukwu hails from Dimala village, Osumenyi, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is the son of Chief Nnadialor and Madam Loveline Ukachukwu.
He attended Omaigwe Primary School in Osumenyi before moving to Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha.
He later earned a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Calabar and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by Tansian University, Anambra State, in 2016.
Business Empire and Achievements
Naija News understands that Ukachukwu’s career as an entrepreneur began in 1987.
Over the years, as stated on his campaign website, Ukachukwu built the SNECOU Group Limited, a conglomerate with investments in oil and gas, construction, real estate, agriculture, media, and education.
His notable real estate projects include Prince & Princess Estate, Good Homes Estate, and Shalom Villa Estate, developed in Abuja in partnership with the Federal Government. He also founded the British Nigeria Academy and the European University of Nigeria (EUN).
He is the chairman of multiple companies, including Snecou Financial Services, Niccus Industries Ltd, and Phil-Tech Oil & Gas Services Ltd.
Ukachukwu’s Political Career
The APC candidate for the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election first came into political prominence in 1997 when he was elected as the Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), the first non-indigene to hold that position.
In 1999, he was elected to the House of Representatives under the PDP, representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency.
He chaired the House Committee on FCT, where he secured shop allocations for Ndi-Igbo in Wuse Market and oversaw the construction of Dei-Dei Market. He also chaired the House Committee on Oil and Gas.
Though elected Senator for Anambra South in 2003, his mandate was truncated. Ukachukwu has since made several attempts at the Anambra governorship, contesting under PPA (2006) and HDP (2010), while in 2019 he ran for Senate under APGA.
His current bid on the APC platform, the country’s ruling party, marks his most high-profile run yet.
Philanthropy
Beyond business and politics, Ukachukwu is known for his philanthropy. He has sponsored scholarships, free healthcare programmes, and youth empowerment schemes across Anambra and Nigeria.
He also invests heavily in human capital development, supporting skill acquisition programmes, and has created thousands of jobs through his businesses.
Awards and Recognitions
Ukachukwu’s contributions have earned him national and international recognition, including:
- Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), awarded in 2008
- ALGON Philanthropic Personality of the Year Award
- Recognition from the WTO and NUJ’s Man of the Year Award
- International honours from the State of Ohio, USA
Personal Life
Naija News understands that Nicholas Ukachukwu was married to the late Mrs Nnenna Ukachukwu until her death in 2020.
They had five children together. In December 2023, he married Mitchel Ihezue, Miss Universe Nigeria 2023.