Uzodimma woos investors with robust infrastructure, solid security architecture as Shettima, Dangote, Boris Johnson, other global political, business leaders gather in Owerri
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is pushing boundaries and implementing wide-ranging initiatives in infrastructure, economy, and security, among others. His leadership potential seems limitless in scope and effectiveness.
Uzodimma’s approach to governance is visionary, purpose – driven, innovative, action – oriented, inclusive and unifying. Indeed, he has been exemplary over the years.
According to former Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim, PhD, “in the history of Nigerian politics, few governors embody the alchemy of leadership quite like Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State. Since assuming office in January 2020, Uzodimma has not merely governed; he has transmuted the challenges of a resource-constrained eastern Heartland into opportunities for exponential growth.”
Uzodimma is pushing Imo toward a $1 trillion economy. To this end, Imo held an Economic and Investment Summit between December 4 and 5, 2025 in Owerri, the capital of the state. For the two days, the state agog. In attendance were an array of influential internationally-acclaimed political and business leaders, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; former President of Afreximbank, Prof. Okey Oramah; former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Boris Johnson; former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki Moon; Prime Minister Americo Ramos of Sao Tome and Principe, President Amina Akim of Mauritius, and President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, among many others.
At the event, Uzodimma declared profound commitment to transform the state’s infrastructure and energy landscape, emphasising that meaningful economic progress begins with robust infrastructure.
He said: “A good road network is fundamental for trade and economic development. They connect the markets and reduce logistic costs. In most cases, they also reflect the seriousness of the government for creating the modern environment for businesses and development.”
Uzodimma, who noted that the summit was primed for massive success, considering the dignity and number of participants, however, said that roads alone cannot berth industrialisation. He identified power as the most critical barrier to Nigeria’s economic transformation, warning that even the most favourable business conditions fall short without energy security. “You need to address the single biggest bottleneck to industrialization in Nigeria, which is power or energy, whatever you prefer to call it.”
The governor, who said that in his new way of thinking, IMO stands for Investment Meets Opportunities, added that President Tinubu’s intentional reform policies, bold, market-driven policy resets, notably the courageous removal of the restrictive fuel subsidy and the strategic harmonization of the foreign exchange market is the perfect backdrop for Imo’s own initiative, and reinforces his drive for a $1 Trillion USD Economy. According to him, the initiative is synchronized with the Federal Government’s agenda of economic renewal, paving the way for states like Imo to take the lead in regional development.
Maintaining that Imo is unique, Uzodimma stressed that it is larger than the landmass of some countries, with a population of about 5.7 million people, making it the 14th most populous state in the country. He enumerated the advantages of investing in Imo State, including its location, commercial opportunities, weather, agricultural zones, human development, natural resources, resilience, industry, and creativity of the people.
Disclosing that Imo State will be 50 years old in February 1976, Uzodimma said: “It has come of age. It has witnessed unprecedented prosperity in these years. It has produced the best in human resources. We have excelled in bureaucracy. Our academics are present worldwide, imparting knowledge, while our sportsmen and women have continued to excel globally. We have also produced the best entrepreneurs and entertainers all around Nigeria and the world. Yet the state that birthed these highly successful people is still grappling with challenges of primitive industrialisation.
“Our economy is still weak, largely agrarian, and underdeveloped. This explains why, in all these years, we could ill afford to host an economic and investment summit of this nature and calibre.
“The question is: why now? Part of the problem is that, for nearly five decades, Imo State, like many Nigerian states, pursued development through a flawed model. The government tried to build industry, run industry, and be industry. We relied on bureaucracy instead of market forces. We attempted to incubate economic activity whilst standing on a foundation crippled by weak infrastructure, unreliable energy, and a land administration system so manual and prone to fraud that actively discouraged investment. That model was destined to fail, and it failed.”
The governor said on assumption of office, they “decided to go back to basics: to stop trying to do what the government cannot do well. To focus instead on what the government must do, and that is to create the perfect enabling environment for investment and development to thrive.”
He proudly declared that almost six years down the road, the foundation for investment has been laid by providing basic safety nets, which embody infrastructure, power, security, and stability.
“As we know, investment cannot thrive under chaos or without critical infrastructure. We have therefore taken time to address them squarely and successfully, hence our courage to invite you to this summit to be part of the emerging process that will see Imo State become a haven for investors and one of the most industrialised states in the country.”
He stated that the state was faced with serious and far-reaching security challenges at the inception of his administration, but that the sponsored insecurity aimed at demarketing the state and frustrate his plans and efforts to develop the state has been overcome.
“Our improved security status can guarantee the necessary predictability and safety for capital deployment,” the governor said. However, he noted that security alone is not enough.
According to him, infrastructure is the backbone of commerce. For this reason, his administration constructed over 120 strategic and economically important roads and bridges that link the 27 local government areas and neighbouring states, which double as their trading partners. The current focus, he remarked, is on the link roads leading to rural communities to further expand human and commercial mobility across the entire state.
Uzodimma further said: “But, like security, roads alone are not enough. You still need to address the single biggest bottleneck to industrialization in Nigeria: power or energy, as some people prefer to call it.
“You can have the best location, the best workforce, the best market access, and the best roads, but without reliable electricity, you will stagnate. It is common knowledge that industrial operators in Nigeria spend more on power generation than they do on salaries. That is not sustainable.
“We have addressed this concern in Imo State. By the end of this month, we will launch Phase 1 of the Light Up Imo Project. This has shifted from the realm of promise to the realm of reality. The infrastructure for this is already in place. When those switches eventually flip, greater parts of the state will receive a steady, 24-hour power supply from our own indigenous power and electricity company (Orashi Electricity Company).
“The first phase will begin with the Owerri metropolis, while the next phase will connect durable electricity to the 27 local government areas of the state. This is a game-changer. No more generator economics. No more production downtime. No more excuses. Yes, we will guarantee 24/7 electricity supply for the state.”
To attract investors, the governor disclosed that land administration, which is the third great bottleneck to investment in Nigeria because it is currently characterised by manual processes, fraud, disputed titles, and the near-impossibility of securing clean ownership, is now history in the state.
He volunteered that he recently “launched the Imo Land Information Centre (ILIC), a one-stop centre offering comprehensive digital land administration information across the state. All land records are now digitalized and migrated to a secure portal, utilizing blockchain technology to create tamper-proof ledgers. This guarantees unprecedented ease of doing business from anywhere in the world.”
It means that anyone can verify land ownership from anywhere in the world. It means someone can obtain a Certificate of Occupancy within 24 hours. It means the risk of disputed titles, forged documents, and endless litigation has been eliminated. This process ensures unprecedented ease of doing business. Yes, we have removed uncertainty and all forms of racketeering from the equation.”
So, having built the foundation: security, infrastructure, power, and transparent land administration, Imo State now offers unrivalled sectoral potential.
Uzodimma said: “Imo State holds in its belly the largest proven gas reserves in West Africa. Let me repeat that: the largest proven gas reserves in West Africa. We have a substantiated and proven natural gas reserve estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet (TCF) with an additional potential of 600 TCF in unproven reserves. So, for those looking for opportunities for investment in the oil and gas sector, Imo State is the destination.
“For years, this resource sat largely untapped because the platform was not ready. That has changed. With the support of the Federal Government, we have established the Orashi Energy Free Trade Zone; a strategic gateway designed specifically for investment in our energy sector.”
He revealed that early investors will enjoy tax holidays and abundant growth opportunities, adding: “But this is not just about extraction. We are talking about value addition through digital-led manufacturing, technology-enabled services, and logistics; all leveraging the infrastructure of the Free Trade Zone.”
Regarding skilled workers to operate these industries, the governor informed: “We have them. Through our Skill-Up Imo Initiative, we have created a large, readily available pool of digital talent and a skilled technical workforce. As cohorts complete training, some join the civil service, others enter the private sector, and many launch start-ups and self-sustaining businesses.
“Your workforce is ready. Your energy supply is ready. The incentives are in place. Yes, Imo State is ready to house your investments”
He talked about availability of everything needed for agriculture and manufacturing, global connectivity with Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport now fully fitted for night operations. “We are actively seeking partnerships to maximise the cargo component, positioning this airport as a major logistics hub in West Africa.
“But we are thinking even further ahead. We are working to open Imo State to the Atlantic Ocean via the dredging of the Orashi/Atlantic corridor. This is a vision, that is realisable. Future access to global maritime trade is part of our ultimate plan.
“And because global business requires global standards, we have invested in world-class hospitality infrastructure. The newly restored Concorde-Hilton Hotel, one of the best five-star hotels in the country, is now to be managed by a leading global hospitality brand, the Hilton Hotels. This is the environment where deals get done.”
Uzodimma said: “Imo State offers strong investible opportunities across key areas of its fast-growing digital economy. With broadband penetration still below 40%, the state presents a significant gap for fiber-optic backbone expansion, last-mile connectivity, metro rings and rural broadband, supported by rising digital adoption from platforms like MyImoApp, LIS and SkillUpImo. There is also a viable opportunity for digital device manufacturing and assembly, leveraging Imo’s strategic position within a regional market of over 60 million people and sustained demand for affordable devices. Additionally, locations such as Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta provide ideal conditions for cryptocurrency mining and high-density data centers due to stable power from the Orashi electricity project and natural cooling advantages from the Orashi River, making them suitable for efficient, scalable green tech operations.”
He also addressed the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Where to start. Which organisations are credible? How do you ensure your investment actually reaches the people who need it? How do you avoid the compliance headache? He said the state has solved this problem with it’s One Kindred, One Business Initiative (OKOBI).
He said that”OKOBI is a social enterprise model where self-organising kindreds receive training, technical support, and access to funding to establish cottage businesses. We currently have over 400 successful OKOBI businesses operating across Imo State.” In a nutshell, he explained it as CSR reimagined: symbiotic, sustainable, and strategic.
The governor invited potential investors to take the advantage the new Imo State offers. “To sum up, we have delivered certainty: security, infrastructure, power, and transparent land administration. We have delivered scale: energy resources, digital talent, agricultural capacity, and global connectivity. We have delivered integration: a CSR platform that works for you and the communities you serve.
“This market is currently unsaturated. There are no bottlenecks. Growth potential is maximal. We have eliminated risk, simplified administration, and provided the resources.
“So, when I say that Imo State is the new investment equation, engineered for maximum return, I mean every word of it. In more ways than one, Imo State can be seen as a one-stop shop where opportunity and innovation await investment to unlock vast potential. Together, we can trigger the rise of a new, industrialised Imo State and make her one of the most industrialised in the country as well. We have everything it takes to make this vision happen.
“What happens when Investment Meets Opportunity?” My answer: Business happens. So, let’s talk business, not just business. I mean serious business. The type that transforms economies, creates wealth for the people, and produces maximum return on investment. I believe that’s why we are here.”
Speaking at the summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima identified Imo State as a major pillar in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda primed for rapid growth in technology, gas utilisation, agro-industrial processing and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
He said the government is committed to providing access to financing through the Bank of Industry and the Development Bank of Nigeria, alongside structured Public-Private Partnerships in housing, transport, and renewable energy sectors for the state.
He said: “Nations do not rise because one corner of the map ascends while others remain dormant. Nations rise when every part discovers its promise and takes responsibility for its own economic direction.”
The Vice President added that the summit’s theme, ‘Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment, and Innovation’, aligns with the Federal Government’s reform agenda to build a resilient, competitive and inclusive economy.
Shettima stated: “All these possibilities converge to remind us that Imo is not just ready for investment. Imo is primed for transformation.”
He highlighted high-growth sectors capable of driving Imo’s economic resurgence, including the deployment of Free Trade Zones and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, expanded gas utilisation for households and industry, and the development of robust digital infrastructure to attract ICT firms and fuel a modern, information-driven economy.
“The Federal Government stands ready to walk with Imo State to unlock opportunities, de-risk promising ventures and ensure that the benefits of development are felt across communities. To investors here today, the message is unmistakable: Imo is open for business. Nigeria is open for business.
“The young people of Imo are creative, ambitious and connected to the global knowledge economy. Our duty is to give them the tools, the platforms and the confidence to build the future that awaits them.”
The first female elected President of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, on her part, tasked Africa to take its place in the global market, pointing out that Nigeria has all it takes to lead the way.
She said there is hope for Africa because Nigeria is rising and giving opportunities to the youth, even as she pledged to bring in investors in renewable energy to invest in Imo.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, said the private sector is key to investment at all levels. He hailed Uzodimma for taking bold steps towards repositioning the state’s economy.
Former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Ban Ki Moon, described the summit as a gathering of great significance. In his keynote address, he acknowledged that addressing global uncertainties is vital, and initiatives like the Imo Economic and Investment Summit will help create a more peaceful society.
Moon stated: “Without addressing the challenges Africa is facing, we would not say we have a sustainable world.” He said Africa holds the solutions to many of the world’s pressing challenges, particularly climate change and sustainable development.
The former UN scribe requested for a special technology fund support for the Africa continent, adding that the summit will help enhance Imo State’s socio-economic development and help elevate prosperity as well as transform the state into an investment hub.
“I visited Nigeria several times before. My visit to Imo State today reminds me of enormous sufferings and difficulties that African people, particularly people in Imo State, should have overcome because of colonisation and subsequent war, as the Korean people did, surmounting its painful and turbulent history.
“Africa today holds the keys to unlocking so many solutions to current global challenges that humanity and our planet are facing, including climate change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“I have also tirelessly advocated for climate adaptation and resilience in Africa, including through my active participation and strong support at important events, including the Africa Climate Summit.
“In this regard, while serving as Secretary General, I have been repeatedly stating that without addressing the African challenges, we will never be able to declare that we are living in a sustainable world. This commitment is continuing,” the ex-UN secretary-general said.
Ki-moon also highlighted the injustice faced by African nations, stating that “although 54 African countries contribute only 4 per cent of global emissions, they remain among the worst affected by climate disasters.”
Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, commended the good policies of the Tinubu administration because they provide the right atmosphere for business.
Urging Nigerian businessmen to continue to invest at home, he assured Uzodimma that “we will be one of your biggest investors in Imo, so please tell me the area to invest and we will invest.”
Immediate past Executive Vice President of AFREXIM Bank, Mr Benedict Oramah, said Afrexim bank is currently building a multi million dollar facility in Imo State to help support the production and export of quality compliance products for export to the global market.
He commended Uzodinma for opening up the state for business through the Orashi River dredging and special economic zone project.
Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said he felt completely safe in the country despite all the negative reports and warnings
The ex-Prime Minister also commended Uzodimma for his efforts to provide 24-hour electricity to the people of Imo State as part of his drive to achieve economic transformation.
He said: “When I decided to come to Owerri, I read some things and there were people saying there may be some security problems in Nigeria. But I said I would go anyway. Do you feel safe here today? We all feel safe. And I feel perfectly safe. Thank you, Governor, for what you are doing.
“Your focus on electricity is absolutely right. The future is AI. For clean, sustainable power, demand is going to be colossal. I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable electricity for Imo State and for Nigeria.”
There was panel discussion on Tourism as an Economic Catalyst: Culture, Heritage & Destiny Investments; Digital Transformation & Imperatives for positioning Imo as a startup and tech hub in Africa, among others.
