Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has emerged as a central figure in Nigeria’s national development, moving beyond state-level governance to lead a regional transformation that bridges economic and social divides.
As the Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum and the recently appointed "Renewed Hope Ambassador" by President Bola Tinubu, Uzodimma is being hailed as a visionary leader who has turned Imo State into a "new millennial city" through his landmark 3R Agenda of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Recovery.
Regional Leadership and National Unity
Governor Uzodimma’s leadership style is characterized by a "God-fearing" and "open" approach that has earned him significant national trust. In his capacity as Chairman of the Southeast Governors' Forum, he has prioritized regional integration and "frank discussions" with other governors to address security and economic growth collectively.
Honourable Suleiman Ibrahim Suleiman, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Northern Affairs and the Garkuwan Hausawan Imo (Shield of the Hausa community), highlights that Uzodimma has achieved a "100% good relationship" between the Northern community and the people of Eastern Nigeria.
This bridge-building effort is a cornerstone of his administration, as he ensures that Muslim leaders and community heads are actively involved in governance decisions.
Highlighting some of Governor Uzodimma’s developmental milestones, Honourable Suleiman said the "Uzodimma Model" of development is anchored on specific programs that have fundamentally reshaped the state's infrastructure and human capital”.
”The administration has delivered over 120 high-quality roads, including signature projects like the Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe dual carriageways. This infrastructure drive—referred to by locals as "Uzo Duma"—is seen as the lifeline of the state’s burgeoning economy”.
“SkillUpImo Project: Recognizing the future of the digital economy, Uzodimma launched SkillUpImo, a groundbreaking digital empowerment program. It has already trained over 50,000 youths in advanced fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and software development, positioning Imo as a top-tier digital hub in Nigeria”, the Adviser stated.
Furthermore, he explained that the Governor’s health initiatives have seen the renovation of 305 primary health centers and the establishment of ultramodern general hospitals. His commitment to universal health coverage earned him the 2025 Leadership Award for Excellence in Health Insurance Implementation”.
The "Ambassador of Renewed Hope"
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| Governor Hope Uzodimma |
The "Ambassador of Renewed Hope"
In late 2025, President Tinubu appointed Governor Uzodimma as the Renewed Hope Ambassador, a role that empowers him to coordinate strategic engagement and mobilize support for national development programs across the country. This appointment reflects his successful track record in Imo State, where his administration's ability to "finish everybody" in terms of excellence in infrastructure and education has become a national talking point.
"In anything you are doing, all you need is hope," says Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim Suleiman. "And we have hope in Imo State... Allah (Good) has given us hope".