Imo may not be the largest of Nigeria’s 36 states, but it’s punching way above its weight. At just 5,500 square kilometres, it is a compact land in the country’s South-East. But within its borders live more than five million people, entrepreneurs, students, artisans, filmmakers, each pushing against the odds.
Historically, Imo has been known for oil and gas, a vibrant trade hub in Owerri, and a thriving pharmaceutical belt around Orlu. Today, it is writing a new chapter: one that is less about what it has been, and more about what it is becoming.
Imo is quietly building an investment pipeline—one that channels energy into industry, talent into technology, culture into commerce. Here’s how.
Orashi Power Plant: turning on the lights for industry
Every factory manager in Nigeria knows the pain of energy costs. Power can swallow up 40% of operating expenses, with diesel generators guzzling profits before the first product is sold.
The 380MW Orashi Power Plant, alongside the Egbema station, promises to change that equation. With hundreds of megawatts expected to come onstream, businesses can plan with confidence that the lights will stay on. For Imo, energy is not just infrastructure; it is the foundation stone for industrial growth.
SkillUpImo: creating Africa’s next talent pipeline
Nigeria’s digital economy faces a massive talent gap: an estimated 85% of graduates lack employable digital skills, costing the country up to $11 billion annually in missed opportunities. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, not for lack of ambition, but for lack of training that matches the demands of a digital-first world.
SkillUpImo is Imo State’s answer. Tens of thousands of young people have already been trained in coding, product design, and data analytics, with the new Imo Digital City Limited linking them directly to global clients and employers. By turning raw potential into market-ready talent, Imo is ensuring its most valuable export is not oil or gas, but people equipped to power the future of work.
Oguta Lake: from postcard to investment asset
For decades, Oguta Lake has been Imo’s hidden gem: a serene blue expanse that draws tourists on weekends. But the state now envisions more than nostalgia. With investments in roads and facilities, Oguta is being reimagined as an economic anchor—part leisure resort, part gateway to the planned Orashi Energy and Industrial corridor.
Imo is creating a platform for hospitality, events, and other allied industries in what is potentially a billion-dollar sector.
Nollywood in Owerri: stories that travel the world
Imo has always been a land of stories. Owerri, the state capital, has hosted Nollywood productions from indie favourites like O-Town to mainstream blockbusters. Film here is as cultural as it is commercial.
In 2023 alone, Nollywood created more than 200,000 jobs nationwide. By investing in permits, infrastructure, and creative clusters, Imo is laying the groundwork for film and music to become a bigger part of the Nigerian economy.
Roads and reassurance: building investor confidence
In recent years, Imo has commissioned over a hundred road projects, reconnecting towns and opening access to industrial sites. In 2025 alone, the Ministry of Works & Infrastructural Development was assigned a staggering ₦297 billion in capital expenditure to deliver critical infrastructure that matters.
Security reforms, backed by a dedicated Ministry of Homeland Security, aim to create the predictability that businesses crave. Over ₦100 million has been earmarked for security initiatives, including state-of-the-art security cameras. The work on security is transforming good intentions into bankable projects.
A land of promise, innovation and opportunity
Imo’s story is still being written. From the Orashi Power Plant to SkillUpImo, from Oguta Lake to Nollywood, the state is knitting together a future where industry, talent, and creativity flow through the same pipeline. For investors, partners, and dreamers, the message is simple: Imo is open, ready, and rising.
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See What’s Happening in Imo
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