Vice President Kashim Shettima has identified Imo State as a major pillar in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, declaring it a new growth frontier primed for rapid development in key sectors.
Speaking on Thursday at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, Shettima said the state is ready for rapid growth in technology, gas utilisation, agro-industrial processing, and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
He stressed that national prosperity is only sustained when every state takes ownership of its development by harnessing its comparative advantages.
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He affirmed the Federal Government’s (FG) commitment to supporting this growth, assuring investors of sustained policy stability and measures to de-risk private investments.
The FG’s support for the state will include access to financing through the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Development Bank of Nigeria, as well as structured partnerships promoting Public-Private Partnerships in housing, transport, and renewable energy sectors.
It will also focus on technology by implementing programmes to empower young innovators, expand digital skills training, strengthen tech clusters, and deepen research partnerships with universities.
He highlighted high-growth sectors, including the deployment of Free Trade Zones and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, expanded gas utilisation for industry, and the development of robust digital infrastructure.
“All these possibilities converge to remind us that Imo is not just ready for investment. Imo is primed for transformation,” Shettima stated.
In his welcome address, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma commended Tinubu’s reform policies for stabilising Nigeria’s investment space.
He noted that the state is already keying into these reforms and has utilised its unique landmass and abundant natural resources to create an ideal environment for investors.
Uzodinma revealed that the state is blessed with the largest gas reserve, estimated at 200 trillion cubic feet in the country, alongside other resources like lead, zinc, crude oil, and cotton.
He also stated that Imo boasts the third-highest human capital development index in Nigeria, coining ‘IMO’ to mean Investment Meets Opportunities.
The summit also featured several international and local dignitaries who encouraged investment and action.
Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), said initiatives like the summit would help create a more peaceful society and emphasised that Africa holds the key to unlocking global challenges, requesting special technology fund support for the continent.
Aliko Dangote, President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, hailed the good policies of the Tinubu administration and assured Governor Uzodinma that Dangote Industries will be one of your biggest investors in Imo.
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the first female elected President of Mauritius, urged Africa to take its place in the global market, with Nigeria leading, and pledged to bring investors in renewable energy to Imo.
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Benedict Oramah, immediate past Executive Vice President of AFREXIM Bank, disclosed that the bank is building a multi-million dollar facility in Imo State to support the production and export of quality compliance products, commending the state’s Orashi River dredging and special economic zone project.
Shettima challenged stakeholders to shift from dialogue to execution, urging that the Summit “lead to signed partnerships, funded projects and measurable outcomes that uplift lives and create jobs.”
