CHIKUN/KAJURU REP, HON. FIDELIX BAGUDU, ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE. (PHOTO).
In a bold move to position Imo State as Africa’s emerging digital powerhouse, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has officially launched ImoTalentHub.com, a world-class digital talent marketplace connecting Imo’s tech professionals with global employers.
The initiative, a major milestone under the government’s flagship Skill Up Imo program, is in strategic partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, and the U.S. Market Access Center. The platform is designed to place 100,000 Imo-trained tech talents in paid international roles by 2026.
The Governor described the new platform as a gateway for Imo's young minds: software developers, AI engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and digital designers, to access job opportunities in global innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, London, Dubai, and Lagos.
Launched in 2022, Skill Up Imo was conceived to transition the state from an analogue economy to a digitally driven one, while redirecting youth from negative vices such as cultism and cybercrime. So far, over 40,000 learners have graduated from the program, making it one of Nigeria’s largest pools of tech-trained talent.
According to the government, ImoTalentHub bridges the classroom-to-career gap by offering every graduate a verified profile, portfolio showcase, and access to smart contracts that automate KYC processes, escrow payments, and tax compliance.
“This means that a fintech firm in London can hire a back-end engineer in Owerri as easily and securely as hiring locally,” the statement reads. “Payments in pounds or dollars are processed through fully regulated channels, proving that Imo’s digital workforce is ready for the global market.”
The intellectual firepower behind the curriculum comes from UC Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. Berkeley professors have not only led training bootcamps on ethical AI and venture capital but have also helped build cloud labs powered by NVIDIA GPUs at the upcoming Imo Digital City campus.
A Founder Development Programme, co-created with UC Berkeley, will also provide startups in Imo with access to global venture capital and a world-class certification, affirming that Imo State is not just producing tech talent, but future tech founders.
With this landmark collaboration, Governor Uzodimma’s administration is signaling a new era, where young people in Imo don’t just dream of opportunity, they log in and access it.
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