Under Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imo State has shifted from short-term handouts to a technology-driven model for youth empowerment. The SkillUpImo Project trains thousands in digital skills, connecting them to global opportunities. This approach builds on infrastructure and institutions for long-term growth.
Imo State is transforming youth empowerment by prioritizing digital skills and innovation over traditional interventions. Governor Hope Uzodimma's administration launched the SkillUpImo Project, the largest digital skills program in Nigeria, under the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA 2022–2026). This initiative has trained over 50,000 youths in areas such as software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing, UI/UX design, robotics, and entrepreneurship.
The program has yielded tangible results: 40 percent of graduates have entered digital entrepreneurship, securing remote jobs and launching over 20 startups, including Adminting, GCAD Generative Services, Monapp, Basetech Hub, and Frankbotics. Trainees offer services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn, and the state's Techosphere.
Supporting these efforts are key initiatives like the MyImoApp, which digitizes governance and citizen engagement, and the Imo Digital City Limited (IDCL), a government-co-owned innovation hub fostering startups and tech ecosystems. Uzodimma's model rests on four pillars: digital skills development through market-driven training; digital infrastructure via broadband and co-creation spaces; digital entrepreneurship support with incubation, mentorship, and funding; and digital governance to enhance transparency and create tech jobs.
In a broader context, Nigeria faces 53 percent youth unemployment (National Bureau of Statistics, 2023), with over 60 percent of graduates lacking digital competencies (World Bank). Yet, the digital sector has generated 2.5 million jobs in the country over the past decade. Globally, the digital economy adds $15 trillion annually, or 16 percent of GDP. Imo's approach demonstrates how states can harness this potential, emphasizing strategy and investment for sustainable growth.
Dr. Chimezie Amadi, Imo Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, notes that this model redefines empowerment 'from tricycling to coding, from handouts to high-speed broadband.' Early outcomes, including exported services and a thriving hub, indicate scalability for other Nigerian states.