Imo Now an Investment Haven, Governor Uzodimma Tells Delegates at Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit

Speaking at the high-profile trade and investment forum held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, Governor Uzodimma declared that Imo State has shed its former image and now stands as a genuine investment haven, one driven by deliberate reforms and sustained policy execution under his Shared Prosperity administration. In a presentation that drew the attention of the gathering of over one thousand delegates, the governor offered a reimagining of the state's identity, redefining the acronym IMO to mean "Investment Meets Opportunities." The phrase was more than rhetorical flourish. It encapsulated the administrative philosophy his government has pursued since assuming office, one anchored on the principle that government's primary role is not to run businesses but to serve as an enabler that clears the way for private sector activity to flourish. On the subject of power, Governor Uzodimma outlined a landmark public-private partnership that has repositioned Imo State as one of the few states in Nigeria with the capacity to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently. Under the first phase of the initiative, parts of the state capital are now enjoying twenty-four-hour electricity supply, a development that has significantly lowered the cost of doing business for existing enterprises and strengthened the state's appeal to prospective investors. The establishment of an Energy Free Trade Zone has further deepened investment interest in the energy sector, attracting commitments in petrochemicals, fertiliser production, gas processing, and related downstream industries. The governor also highlighted the strides made in physical infrastructure, noting that major road projects have been completed or are at advanced stages of development across the state. A digitised land administration system has been introduced to eliminate fraud and bring transparency to property transactions, while harmonised tax policies have reduced the burden of multiple taxation that had previously discouraged commercial activity. These reforms, he said, have created a more predictable and profitable operating environment for businesses across all sectors. On security, Governor Uzodimma assured delegates that sustained efforts by his administration have made Imo significantly safer for business operations, a critical consideration for investors evaluating risk in any market. Human capital development received prominent attention in the governor's presentation. He revealed that over sixty-five thousand youths have been trained in digital skills through the Imo Digital City initiative, with a substantial number of graduates now employed or operating their own technology businesses. The figure reflects the scale of the SkillUp Imo programme and underscores the administration's conviction that a digitally equipped workforce is a fundamental prerequisite for economic growth. The governor went further to highlight specific sectors he identified as particularly ripe for investment. In agriculture, he pointed to the African Development Bank Quality Assurance Centre, which supports export-grade produce and enhances Imo's competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets. In aviation, the ongoing upgrade of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport is expected to boost freight movement and open new trade corridors for businesses operating in and around the state. The hospitality sector is equally witnessing fresh momentum, with Hilton Hotels confirmed to be arriving in Owerri, a development the governor presented as a strong signal of the state's growing attraction to global brands. He also drew attention to opportunities in technology and innovation, logistics through the Orashi River corridor development, and the strategic geographic position of Imo State between major commercial centres including Onitsha, Aba, and Port Harcourt. That positioning, he argued, grants investors natural access to the consumer markets of southern Nigeria and establishes Imo as a regional gateway for commerce and distribution. Closing his address with an open invitation, Governor Uzodimma urged the assembled delegates to visit the state and witness its transformation firsthand. "Seeing is believing," he told the audience, expressing confidence that any investor who makes the journey to Imo will leave with no doubt about the opportunities available. The governor subsequently joined a panel discussion alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, where conversations continued on investment facilitation, intergovernmental collaboration, and the broader challenge of attracting sustainable capital to Nigerian states. The Invest Lagos 3.0 summit, convened as a platform to accelerate investment dialogue between state governments and the private sector, provided Governor Uzodimma with a national stage to advance Imo State's economic repositioning and signal to the investor community that the state is open, prepared, and ready for business.