Uzodimma Showcases Imo’s Development Model at UK House of Lords
Governor Hope Uzodimma has presented Imo State as a model for leadership transformation in Africa, saying the state has moved beyond policy promises to practical results through infrastructure development, youth empowerment, innovation and investment-driven reforms.
Uzodimma spoke on Thursday, July 2, 2026, during a keynote address at the House of Lords, Westminster, London, as part of the African Leadership Organisation’s leadership programme and award ceremony, where he also received the African Inspirational Leadership and Good Governance Award.
Speaking on the theme, “From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa’s Next Wave of Growth and Leadership, The Imo State Experience,” Uzodimma said Africa’s greatest challenge is not the absence of ideas but the inability to translate them into tangible development at the required pace.
“Our founding fathers dreamed big.”
“What we have lacked is velocity, the speed to turn our lofty plans into changed lives.”
“That distance between the vision and the delivery is where several generations of African development have quietly died,” Uzodimma said.
He said his administration has focused on bridging that gap through deliberate investments in infrastructure, technology, economic development and institutional reforms.
“Imo State has moved from policy statements to practical delivery and is now producing templates for leadership transformation,” he added.
Uzodimma told the international audience that his administration has constructed more than 140 roads across the state within about six and a half years, while over 60,000 young people have received digital and technology-related training through the Imo Digital City and SkillUp Imo programmes.
He also said the state has created more than 20,000 jobs through strategic economic initiatives and established over 600 community-owned enterprises under the One Kindred, One Business initiative, which he said has generated another 20,000 employment opportunities.
According to him, Imo has also designated about 140,000 hectares of land for the proposed Orashi Special Energy Free Zone to drive industrialisation, energy development and long-term investments in the state.
“When power becomes reliable in Imo, the face of industrialisation changes across Nigeria’s South East.”
“That means jobs in a state where too many young people have waited too long for one,” Uzodimma said.
The governor argued that sustainable development depends on strong institutions, modern infrastructure, innovation and public safety.
“Velocity is never an accident.”
“It is built where institutions are strengthened, where infrastructure is laid, where innovation is welcomed, and where the citizens are safe.”
“Assemble these four, and a government stops announcing and begins to deliver,” he said.
Uzodimma also invited international investors and development partners to explore investment opportunities in Imo, saying the state has created an enabling environment for business growth and economic expansion.
Receiving the African Inspirational Leadership and Good Governance Award, Uzodimma described the recognition as an honour and commended the African Leadership Organisation for creating a platform that promotes African-led conversations on governance and development.
“Giving the African story a stage on which it is told in Africa’s own voice,” he said while appreciating the organisers.
The African Leadership Organisation had earlier announced on June 27 that Uzodimma would address the House of Lords during its July 2–3 leadership programme, describing the event as an opportunity for the governor to share Imo State’s development journey with global policymakers, investors and development partners.
