From a just system of governance to the practice of inclusiveness in the journey of our national development, democracy has presented us with choices that are unifying and collective, giving rise to the achievements we have recorded thus far. As a people, we have continued to strengthen the foundations of nation-building through participation, dialogue, and a shared commitment to progress. While enormous gaps remain to be filled in the development of our nation, we can not deny the fact that we have achieved greatness. We have built and sustained a system driven by the people, and with each passing day, we improve upon the efforts of the previous one. Our democratic journey has not been without challenges, but it has consistently demonstrated our resilience, determination, and capacity for growth. Under the #RenewedHope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, a steadfast democrat and one of the heroes of the democracy we enjoy today, we have witnessed transformative reforms across various sectors. These reforms are focused on positioning Nigeria to offer hope, opportunities, and assurance of growth for every Nigerian. As we commemorate Democracy Day, let us keep faith alive in the system we are building and continue to support progressive ideals that promote the unity, stability, and development of our nation. Happy Democracy Day. - Hope Uzodimma

Yesterday, I joined the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the inauguration of the National Campaign Council for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled to hold later this month. As members of the Council, we are duty-bound to take the message of progress, transformation, and sustainable growth to the good people of Ekiti State. A vote for Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a vote for continued prosperity, stability, and the sustainability of growth. - Hope Uzodimma

Investment Meets Opportunity (IMO) — yes, that is Imo State in its proper perspective, and I am proud to present our business model anchored on Public-Private Partnership (PPP), strategically leveraging the commendable economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This approach continues to position Imo State as a preferred investment destination, offering enormous opportunities across diverse sectors of the economy. Driven by our ambitious $1 Trillion Economic Masterplan, we are transforming Imo State into a premier national and international industrial hub. Flagship initiatives such as the Orashi Special Energy Free Trade Zone and the Imo Industrial & Innovation Park (IIIP) have continued to attract global partners and institutions, including the Afreximbank African Quality Assurance Center (AQAC), a multi-million-dollar conformity assessment facility located in Imo State. Furthermore, the Imo State Industrial Policy, developed with the technical assistance of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), provides a comprehensive roadmap that is transitioning the State into a leading investment and industrial hub. Investors can, therefore, be assured of a framework that safeguards capital, promotes growth, and guarantees attractive returns on investment. - Hope Uzodimma

Under the #RenewedHope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, policy has stopped being merely what we announce; policies are being actively implemented. From economic reforms to other critical interventions, the administration has demonstrated a clear commitment to translating vision into measurable outcomes that positively impact the lives of Nigerians. In my keynote address at the Renewed Hope Ambassadors' National Mobilization Retreat, I highlighted the positive impacts of the #RenewedHope initiatives, which continue to strengthen the nation's economy both in the short term and on a sustainable long-term basis. These reforms are laying the foundation for growth, stability, investment, and national prosperity. The retreat, themed "Building a Unified National Mobilization Architecture," seek to foster a mindset of success, growth, and collective national advancement. In line with this objective, I implored the Ambassadors of Renewed Hope to mobilize, unify, and deliver as we take the message of progress to the grassroots, where hope is renewed and public confidence is transformed into a mandate. We do not hope to win; we are organizing to win. By doing so, we are ensuring that Mr. President's achievements speak louder, reaching every community and inspiring greater participation in the ongoing journey of national renewal. - Hope Uzodimma

Through deliberate policy reforms, strategic infrastructure investments, and an enabling business environment, we have positioned Imo State as a premier destination for investment and industrial growth, where investors can extract raw materials, process them, and market finished products; all within Imo State. In my address to prospective investors at Invest Lagos 3.0, I emphasized that access to Imo State is now seamless by road, through our ongoing road revolution projects; by air, through the remodeling and upgrade of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA); and by sea, through the dredging of the Orashi River. These initiatives reinforce our Industrial Policy Framework, featuring a 10-year tax holiday for startups and the elimination of multiple taxation. Through the Orashi Electricity Company, Imo now generates, transmits, and distributes power, delivering 24-hour electricity in the Municipal City and expanding statewide. I, therefore, extend a warm invitation to investors, industry leaders, and development partners across the world to explore the vast opportunities that abound in Imo State. Our State is open for business, our policies are investor-friendly, and we remain committed to creating shared growth and prosperity for all. - Hope Uzodimma

I am optimistic that my engagement with the delegation of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) few days ago, which focused on the adaptation, research, and knowledge transfer of Artificial Intelligence (AI), will continue to resonate with them until its objectives are fully actualized. During my speech, I highlighted my contributions toward resolving the misunderstanding between the Union and the Federal Government, while also discussing other critical issues, including measures to strengthen the integrity of polytechnic graduates and the value of certificates awarded by polytechnics in Nigeria. I emphasized that our technical institutions provide the essential platform for meaningful participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, especially as the world has become increasingly scientific and technology-driven. However, this vision can not be realized through the efforts of ASUP alone. By working collaboratively with government, legislators, and other stakeholders, we can revitalize our polytechnics and universities of technology to drive the industrial transformation our nation requires. This is a cause I remain firmly committed to championing at any level of responsibility I may occupy. - Hope Uzodimma

Shared Prosperity was never just a slogan for my administration; it was a deliberate and strategic commitment to ensuring that development and opportunity reached every home in Imo State. I am proud of the substantial progress we have made through purposeful policies, targeted investments, and people-centered governance. Against this backdrop, I was particularly pleased to receive the memo on the visit of a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), which came to Imo State on a fact-finding mission regarding revenues accruing from oil and gas activities. The engagement provided an opportunity to highlight the persistent challenges of under-reporting and non-reporting of hydrocarbons produced within our State. For years, I have consistently pursued this matter through appropriate institutional channels. It is therefore encouraging to see the federal agency responsible for revenue mobilization taking steps to address these concerns, in line with our commitment to securing for Imo State the resources and opportunities rightfully due to our people. - Hope Uzodimma

At the 2026 Igbo Cultural Day Celebration in Ekiti, I was joined by the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the Chief Host, the Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, to celebrate with our people in Ekiti State, sharing in their joy and reaffirming the bonds of unity, cultural pride, and national cohesion that continue to define our collective progress. Our people have enjoyed peaceful coexistence in the South-West and across other parts of the nation, contributing significantly to commerce, trade, and socio-economic development. As Ekiti State prepares for its next governorship election, I used the opportunity to canvass for the support of the Igbo community in the State towards the continuity of Governor Oyebanji’s transformative administration. His government has sustained an enabling environment for business, investment, and economic growth—areas in which our people have continued to thrive through their enterprise and resilience. The #RenewedHope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to building a more prosperous nation for all Nigerians. Across the federation, State governments have continued to advance these progressive ideals through purposeful leadership, development, and transformation for the benefit of their people and residents. I therefore encouraged our Igbo brothers and sisters in Ekiti State to remain hopeful, steadfast, and supportive of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as we collectively work towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our nation. - Hope Uzodimma

Yesterday, in Ado-Ekiti, I joined the Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, and our Kogi State counterpart, His Excellency, Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo, for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s engagement with the Ebira Community in Ekiti State ahead of the forthcoming Governorship Election in the State. The interaction provided a valuable opportunity to appreciate the strong bond between the government, the people of Ekiti State and the Ebira community, while highlighting the remarkable developmental strides being recorded across Ekiti State under Governor Oyebanji’s progressive and people-centered administration. As Governor Oyebanji seeks re-election for a second term, I respectfully appeal to indigens and residents of Ekiti State to support his candidacy and have faith in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose policies and support have continued to empower States to deliver meaningful democratic dividends to the people. - Hope Uzodimma

Watch me deliver the 38th Convocation Lecture at FUTO, where I emphasized the pivotal role of technology-driven innovation, STEM education, and research in shaping Nigeria’s future and accelerating national development. - Hope Uzodimma

The current technology-driven global transformation powered by artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, and digital innovation must be embraced as a society and championed by our research institutions across the country, providing cutting-edge technologies to complement the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. While delivering the 38th Convocation Lecture at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), titled “Nigerian Universities of Technology Must Lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Jeopardize the Nation’s Future,” I stressed the imperative for Universities to transcend their traditional roles and become active drivers of innovation, industrial growth, and economic transformation. Achieving this objective requires sustained investment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, which remains critical to Nigeria’s pursuit of industrial advancement and technological self-reliance. Furthermore, University curricula must be aligned with contemporary industry realities and emerging technological trends. As a Government, in Imo State, we have demonstrated our commitment to knowledge transfer and youth empowerment through the Skill-Up Imo Project, the establishment of the Imo Digital Centre, and the University of Innovation, Science and Technology, Omuma (UISTO), which focuses on applied sciences, technology, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. Through these strategic initiatives, we are laying a solid foundation for innovation-driven development and remain committed to achieving even greater milestones in the years ahead. - Hope Uzodimma

There is a need for a review of the curricula of polytechnics and universities of technology to ensure they are aligned with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the emerging global order driven by Artificial Intelligence. I stated this while hosting a delegation of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), led by Comrade Chibuzor Asomugha, who paid me a courtesy visit following the union’s recent workshop in Imo State. While commending members of the union for their commitment to national development and academic excellence, I encouraged them to prioritize research in the field of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. Such efforts, I noted, are critical to bridging the technological gap created by obsolete curricula that no longer adequately respond to contemporary challenges and the evolving needs of industry. I also used the opportunity to discourage all forms of discrimination against polytechnic certificates. Polytechnics were established specifically to provide the technical and practical training required to meet the nation’s technological needs. By embracing innovation and advancing in line with global trends, these institutions will continue to play a strategic role in national development and provide the country with a significant competitive advantage in the modern knowledge-driven economy. - Hope Uzodimma

For years now, we have had to deal with congestion and the indiscriminate use of Douglas Road, Owerri, despite its status as a major economic artery of the State. This unfortunate situation has created an enabling environment for the breeding of different classes of criminal elements, thereby undermining public safety, order, and the smooth flow of commercial activities. The deplorable condition of the road further contributed to these challenges, encouraging abuse and illegal movements, particularly by motorists and street traders. Our decision to embark on the reconstruction of this strategic road is in line with our Urban Renewal Project, which is aimed at salvaging the City of Owerri from the looming threat of economic stagnation and reversing the gradual decline in urban development and growth. Beyond restoring critical infrastructure, this intervention seeks to create a more organized, secure, and economically vibrant city, and during my inspection of the project site, I could literally feel the fresh air of relief breathed by residents and users of the road, expressing their appreciation for the transformative impact of our Urban Renewal Projects. The quality and pace of work observed are consistent with the expectations of the Government, and I am pleased that progress remains on track for completion within the contractual timeline. - Hope Uzodimma

We remain committed to addressing the long-term negligence to the under-reporting and non-reporting of hydrocarbon production in Imo State which has denied the State its rightful earnings, both in royalties from oil companies operating within the State and from the 13% derivation entitlement. In my remarks during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, who led his team on a working visit to the State, I noted that Imo State is richly endowed with hydrocarbon resources and possesses the highest reservoir of natural gas in Nigeria. Given this immense potential, there is a compelling need for a comprehensive review of production records and revenue remittances to ensure accuracy and transparency, of which Imo State Government is readily available to fully work with the commission for resolution. While I commended the Commission and its team for undertaking this important fact-finding mission and data collection exercise, I appealed to the RMAFC, as an agency empowered by law to safeguard fiscal equity and accountability, to assist in rescuing Imo State from these anomalies. - Hope Uzodimma

Our mission to replicate the Federal Government's (FG) initiatives under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, led to the establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Imo State, thereby driving the domestication of the FG’s template for economic growth and sustainable development within our State. While playing host to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, who visited Imo State on an official assignment, I highlighted the significant impact we have created through the SkillUp Imo Programme. Through its various trainings and capacity-building initiatives, the programme has empowered our youths with competitive global skills, positioning them to compete effectively in the international digital economy and broader global industry. The support of the Federal Government has been instrumental in the realization of these initiatives. With the continued interest and participation of our people, we remain committed to developing the skills and competencies required to meet and service growing global demands. - Hope Uzodimma