Here’s a more conversational version of that blog:
By Chimezie Orisakwe
Look, I’ll be honest with you – I’ve gotten pretty cynical about politicians and their big promises. We’ve all heard the same story before: grand speeches about transformation, then nothing happens. So when politicians start talking about creating heaven on earth, I usually just roll my eyes and move on.
But something’s actually happening in Imo State that’s made me sit up and take notice.
I was recently in Owerri for the 4th Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit put together by the Nigerian Computer Society, and I got to see Governor Hope Uzodinma in action. This wasn’t just another politician showing up to give a speech and disappear – the guy was actually rolling up his sleeves and talking shop with young tech innovators.
What really struck me was that he wasn’t just talking about making Imo State a digital hub – he was actually doing something about it. The governor laid out a real plan at the summit, not just empty promises. He wants to turn Imo into a serious player in AI, robotics, and digital innovation on a global scale. And here’s the kicker – he’s not waiting around to get started.
The centerpiece of all this is something called the Imo Digital City. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Oh great, another government white elephant project.” But this one’s different. It’s already taking shape, and it’s designed as a complete ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
We’re talking about high-tech classrooms, innovation hubs, and co-working spaces with all the latest tech tools. The whole idea is to grow the next generation of digital entrepreneurs right there in Imo and put the state on the global tech map.
What I really like about Governor Uzodinma’s approach is that he gets it – government can’t do this alone. In March 2025, he signed a major deal with the US Market Access Centre to help make the Digital City a reality. They’re basically trying to create their own version of Silicon Valley, complete with local talent development, startup acceleration, and international investment.
And it’s not just the Americans. The governor has managed to get partnerships with some serious players – Microsoft, Zinox Technologies, Cisco, Konga Group, and even the European Union Digital SME Alliance. These aren’t just handshake deals; they’re bringing real training, infrastructure, and funding to the table.
But here’s what really impressed me – they’re not just building fancy buildings and calling it a day. The Skill-Up Imo Programme has already trained 40,000 young people, and many of them are now working. The governor is talking about creating over 300,000 jobs through various digital programs. That’s not small change.
What really caught my attention was something the governor said at the summit: “We don’t just want to create jobs; we want to create those who will create jobs.” That’s the kind of thinking that actually moves the needle. Instead of just creating government jobs that depend on oil money, he’s trying to build an economy that can sustain itself.
The governor also mentioned they’re rolling out fiber optic cables to all 27 local government areas – that’s a big deal for bridging the digital divide. Plus, they’re launching something called “My Imo App” to make government services more accessible, and they’re automating the land registration system to cut down on all that bureaucratic nonsense.
Now, here’s the thing – ideas are cheap. What matters is execution. But Governor Uzodinma seems to have the right person for the job in Dr. Chimezie Amadi, who’s the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government. From what I’ve seen, this guy knows his stuff and has the energy to actually make things happen.
Look, I’ve seen too many Nigerian leaders talk a big game about youth empowerment and technology while doing absolutely nothing. But what’s happening in Imo State feels different. If Governor Uzodinma can keep this momentum going, Imo won’t just be the pride of the South-East – it could become Nigeria’s real business and technology center.
And honestly? It’s about time someone actually followed through on their promises.
