Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has been named the “Digital Governor of the Year” at the highly esteemed National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA) 2024.
The event, held in Lagos and organized by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), brought together leaders, innovators, and visionaries in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem to celebrate remarkable contributions to the nation’s ICT advancement.
Governor Uzodinma emerged victorious over distinguished nominees, including Governors Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State, Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, marking his second win in two years.
This recognition reflects the governor’s trailblazing efforts to position Imo State as Nigeria’s innovation hub and technical talent capital.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Uzodinma at the event, the Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and
E’ Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition. He noted:
“This award is a testament to His Excellency’s steadfast dedication to leveraging technology as a transformative tool for development. Imo State remains committed to fostering innovation, empowering its youth, and building a thriving, digitally-driven economy.”
Dr. Amadi further celebrated the role of the Imo tech community, stating:
“We dedicate this award to the vibrant developers, innovators, and dreamers of Imo State. Their resilience and creativity are the driving forces behind our ambition to establish Imo State as Nigeria’s digital skills capital and innovation hub.”
Governor Uzodinma’s administration has consistently demonstrated unyielding devotion to using technology to transform lives and drive economic growth.
This commitment has earned Imo State a host of prestigious accolades, including being named Most Innovative Digital Governor of the Year 2023 by the Titans of Tech Awards and ranking Number One in Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria by the FATE Institute.
Imo State has also been recognized as the Most Innovative Digital State of the Year at the 19th Titans of Tech Awards, while the SkillUp Imo Project was honored as the Regional Public Institution of the Year at the Startup South Awards.
Additionally, the state received the Best State MDA in ICT Human Capacity Development award at the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards and was acknowledged as the Most Digitally Compliant State by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
These achievements showcase Governor Uzodinma’s strategic vision to transform Imo State into a national leader in digital innovation and economic empowerment, a feat unmatched by any other state in Nigeria.
With its continued focus on ICT-driven development and youth empowerment, Imo State is setting a new standard for leveraging technology to create opportunities, inspire innovation, and build a sustainable future for all.
