Our New Imo is Here: A Sweeping Transformation Backed by Facts — Ambrose Nwaogwugwu
There’s a new story unfolding in the heart of the Southeast; one backed not by slogans, but by real numbers, verifiable impact, and visible change. Imo State, once weighed down by debt, insecurity, and stagnation, has emerged over the last five years as one of Nigeria’s most improved subnational economies.
The data is clear, and the results are undeniable: Imo State is not just getting better…it is leading a quiet revolution, thanks to the #PeoplesGovernor avowed resolve at transformation and performance.
From a mere ₦400 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2020 to nearly ₦4 billion by mid-2025-a 500% leap – Imo now funds most of its development from within. Its debt profile has been dramatically reduced by over 60%, from ₦259 billion to ₦99 billion, offering fiscal space for long-term investments.
Infrastructure has expanded on a scale never before witnessed in the state’s history: over 120 roads delivered, including major dual carriageways linking economic corridors and remote communities.
In health, education, and digital economy, Imo is setting a new benchmark. Over 40,000 youths have been digitally trained under SkillUp Imo, thousands of new jobs are being created in ICT and agro-industry, and the state’s health insurance scheme led by the revolutionary Dr. Uche Ewelike now covers thousands: saving lives and building confidence in public systems. With its Human Development Index (HDI) ranked 3rd in Nigeria, Imo today is not just developing; it is flourishing.
This is the story of Our New Imo—statistically proven, empirically backed, and economically viable.
Fiscal Revolution: IGR Skyrockets, Debt Plummets
When Governor Hope Uzodimma assumed office in January 2020, Imo was fiscally crippled. Today, the narrative has changed:
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR):
2020: ₦400 million/month
2025: ₦3.8–₦4 billion/month
Source: The Nation, NBS
Debt Profile:
2020: ₦259 billion
2025: ₦99 billion
A 60% reduction with no new borrowing – Source: NBS, ThisDayLive
These improvements have allowed the state to pursue ambitious development without over-reliance on federal allocations or external debt.
Infrastructure Reimagined
No other administration in Imo’s recent history has invested more in roads and public infrastructure:
120+ roads completed from 2020–2025
Major dualized highways:
Owerri – Orlu
Owerri – Okigwe
Owerri/Mbaise – Umuahia
These projects have reduced travel time, improved logistics, and attracted private sector investment.
Budget of Expansion: 2025’s Fiscal Vision
The 2025 budget signed by the Governor stands at ₦807 billion – the highest in Imo’s history. Crucially, ₦694 billion (86%) is allocated to capital expenditure, revealing a development-focused government.
Sectoral Breakdown:
Roads & Infrastructure: ₦297 billion
Power: ₦74 billion
Agriculture: ₦50 billion
Education: ₦49 billion
Health: ₦31 billion
Source: Nairametrics, Budget Office of Imo State
This capital-heavy budget is already transforming communities and creating jobs.
Healthcare Overhaul: People First
Healthcare in Imo has evolved from reactive to proactive:
Renovation of 305 primary health centers
Construction of 3 new general hospitals
Launch of Imo Health Insurance Scheme covering formal and informal workers
Over 381,000 enrollees as of mid-2025
400+ assisted births, thousands of cases covered
Upgrade of FMC Owerri to University Teaching Hospital
Deployment of mobile clinics to rural areas
Imo State Health Insurance Agency won the 2025 National Leadership Award for insurance implementation—with 381,394 cases managed and 400+ assisted deliveries, reducing maternal mortality
This revitalization is improving maternal care, reducing mortality, and increasing life expectancy across the state.
Education and Human Capital: Laying the Foundation
Governor Uzodimma’s administration has prioritized education like never before:
Expansion from 1 to 5 tertiary institutions
Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University
Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo
Federal University of Technology, Okigwe (take-off ₦39 billion)
Establishment of digital learning hubs
SkillUp Imo Project:
Over 40,000 youths trained in software dev, design, tech support, and digital marketing and other ICT disciplines.
1,500+ absorbed by national tech companies
The result is a young population increasingly positioned for the digital and global economy.
Digital Economy and Innovation:
Under Uzodimma, Imo became one of the few states in Nigeria to launch a Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government.
Key wins:
IDEA 2022–2026 Framework adopted
Strategic partnerships with Zinox, Konga, WakaNow
Over 300,000 youth targeted for digital skills training by 2026
Implementation of smart governance tools across MDAs
This digital push is placing Imo at the forefront of Nigeria’s tech-enabled governance.
Agriculture & Industry: Reclaiming the Land
From farm revival to industrialization, Imo is shifting toward production:
Adapalm and Acharaubo Farms revived under PPP
Integrated into UNIDO’s Agro-Industrial Zones
“Light Up Imo” initiative powering farm estates and rural processors
Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) launched in partnership with AfDB
These efforts support local farming communities, attract agribusinesses, and improve food security.
Security, Governance & Civil Service Reform
Imo’s governance system has undergone digitization and reform:
Automated payroll system – ghost workers eliminated.
Free health insurance and free transportation scheme.
Civil servants and pensioners now receive regular payments + 13th-month salary
Enhanced state security architecture:
Deployment of APCs, VHF radios, surveillance tech
Construction of area commands in volatile zones.
Zero tolerance for vandalism, organized crime, and cultism.
These reforms have made Imo safer, more stable, and governance more predictable.
Human Development Index & Ease of Doing Business
Imo ranked 3rd in HDI among Nigerian states (2022)
Per capita GDP: $2,996, placing Imo 5th nationally
Ease of Doing Business rank improved from 33rd in 2021 to 13th in 2023
Imo is among top 4 largest state economies in Nigeria with a GDP of ₦7.68 trillion (~$19 billion)
Sources: BudgIT, NBS, World Bank, Reddit Nigeria GDP tracker.
The Evidence Is Clear:
From fiscal rebound to infrastructure boom, from human capital to digital growth, Imo is unmistakably better today than it was in 2020. The administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma has not only reversed the state’s decline, it has ignited a new phase of stability, prosperity, and innovation.
This is not politics. This is policy. This is performance. This is progress. This is Our New Imo.
— Ambrose Nwaogwugwu is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic and Creative Media, wrote from Owerri.
