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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting investors and promoting confidence in the business environment.
Speaking at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, Shettima assured investors that the Tinubu administration will continue to de-risk private investments and provide consistent policy direction.
“The Federal Government stands ready to walk with Imo State to unlock opportunities, de-risk promising ventures and ensure that the benefits of development are felt across communities,” he said.
Shettima emphasised that Imo State has the potential to become a technology hub, a major contributor to national GDP, and a leading centre for SMEs and industrialisation, if partnerships and investments are effectively mobilised.
He urged stakeholders to shift from dialogue to execution, saying, “Let this Summit not end with good ideas alone. Let it lead to signed partnerships, funded projects and measurable outcomes that uplift lives and create jobs.”
Imo State poised for investment – Uzodimma
Meanwhile, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, in his speech at the event, said the state is ready for investment, highlighting its abundant natural resources and strategic location.
“We are blessed with the largest game reserve estimated at 200 trillion cubic feet. We also have lead, zinc, crude oil, cotton, and more. Agriculture is our mainstay,” he said.
Uzodinma described Imo as a place where “Investment Meets Opportunities (IMO)” and business follows.
He said, “Imo State is blessed with a gentle tropical climate and consists of coastal lowlands with numerous rivers and lakes, the most prominent of which are the Imo, Orashi, and Otamiri rivers, as well as Oguta Lake.
“Imo currently has the third-highest Human Development Index among all states in the country and is ranked as a top-performing state in education and literacy.
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“In the next two months, Imo State will be 50 years old. It was created in February 1976. What this means is that it has come of age. It has witnessed unprecedented prosperity in these years. It has produced the best in human resources. We have excelled in bureaucracy. Our academics are present worldwide, imparting knowledge, while our sportsmen and women have continued to excel globally.
“We have also produced the best entrepreneurs and entertainers all around Nigeria and the world. Yet the state that birthed these highly successful people is still grappling with the challenges of primitive industrialisation. Our economy is still weak, largely agrarian, and underdeveloped. This explains why, in all these years, we could ill afford to host an economic and investment summit of this nature and calibre.
“Given the unpleasant experiences of investors in some states, we took time to holistically address the issue of land and titles for investors to avoid situations where investors will be scared, reluctant, or outrightly discouraged from acquiring land for investment in the state.
“By attending this summit, you can be said to be at the right place at the right time. But let’s not see this as mere chance. I see it as the coming together of opportunity and preparedness. And I want you to hold firmly to this: Imo State is willing, ready, and able to house your investments, no matter how big.
“Let me ask: ‘What happens when investment meets opportunity?’ My answer: Business happens. So, let’s talk business. Not just business, I mean serious business—the type that transforms economies, creates wealth for the people, and produces maximum return on investment. I believe that’s why we are here. I wish us all a successful summit,” the governor stated.
Former Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim also urged Africa to take its place in the global market, citing Nigeria’s potential.
Finance Minister Wale Edun praised Governor Uzodimma’s efforts, saying the state is on the right economic track.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasised Africa’s role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and requested tech fund support.
Dangote Industries’ Aliko Dangote pledged investment, while AFREXIM Bank’s Benedict Oramah announced a multi-million dollar facility in Imo State.
