Uzodimma Empowers 10,000 Artisans to Boost Imo Economy

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Tuesday empowered 10,000 trained artisans with work tools and startup support, declaring that the state is determined to reclaim its construction and services sector from dependence on foreign labour and position local craftsmen for economic independence beginning in 2026.

Speaking at the graduation and empowerment ceremony of the Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative in Owerri, Uzodimma said the programme was designed to translate skills into productivity, reduce unemployment, and drive inclusive growth across the state. The governor described the event as a fitting end to the year and a launchpad for a new wave of prosperity for Imo youths.

“With less than ten days to the New Year, it is most fitting that we celebrate you, our new army of artisans, by empowering you with the tools that will grant you economic independence for life,” Uzodimma told beneficiaries. He said the tools distributed would enable the graduates to be among the first beneficiaries of the “economic breakthrough” his administration is projecting from 2026.

The governor linked the empowerment scheme to the 2026 budget proposal he presented to the Imo State House of Assembly a day earlier, describing it as a budget anchored on measurable indices aimed at unlocking prosperity across key sectors. According to him, empowering skilled workers is central to converting policy intentions into real economic outcomes.

Uzodimma also highlighted the recent Imo Economic and Investment Summit, which he said showcased the state’s readiness for business. He listed improved security, power supply, skilled manpower, natural resources and the automation of land administration as factors making Imo attractive to investors and capable of sustaining small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

“This ceremony is proof of the abundant skilled manpower potential in Imo State,” the governor said, noting that the graduates had undergone months of rigorous training. “Today, you are receiving certificates; but more importantly, you are receiving your economic independence.”

He explained that the Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative complements the state’s SkillUpImo programme, which focuses on digital skills and innovation, by ensuring that artisans and SME operators are not excluded from the growth agenda. The combined approach, he said, would stimulate the SME sector, reduce unemployment and build a more resilient economy.

However, Uzodimma warned the graduates that they were entering a highly competitive market facing a critical skills deficit. He cited reports indicating that construction and finishing jobs across major Nigerian cities are increasingly dominated by artisans from neighbouring West African countries due to perceived higher quality and discipline.

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“It is a shameful irony that in a country of over 200 million people, we export billions of naira annually to imported labour while our youths complain of unemployment,” he said. The governor attributed the trend to a weakened apprenticeship culture and inconsistent quality among local artisans.

Declaring the graduates as the solution, Uzodimma challenged them to set a new benchmark of excellence. “We trained you not just to try, but to take over,” he said, urging them to let the quality of their work serve as their true certification.

The initiative covers artisans across multiple trades, including tilers, welders, masons, mechanics, bakers, plumbers, electricians, tailors, shoemakers, vulcanizers, food processors and makeup artists.

Uzodimma expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for their support, describing the federal Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative as a catalyst for uplifting vulnerable and industrious Nigerians. He said the programme aligns with the federal Renewed Hope Agenda and Imo State’s Shared Prosperity programme.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the governor cautioned them against selling or misusing the tools provided and urged them to maximise the opportunity. “The seed has been planted. The tools are in your hands. Go out there, add value to our economy, and record your own economic breakthrough,” he said, wishing them a productive New Year and a prosperous Imo State.