Imo State’s sustained investments in digital transformation have earned national recognition, as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco Networking Academy honoured the state with two prestigious awards in acknowledgement of its leadership in digital literacy, digital skills development and technology-driven governance.
At an award dinner in Abuja on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, NITDA, through its Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, conferred the Sub-National Digital Transformation and Institutional Leadership Award on Imo Digital City Limited (IDCL) for the State’s outstanding performance in advancing digital literacy, promoting inclusion and expanding digital accessibility.
Similarly, Cisco Networking Academy presented the Nigeria Best Performing Cisco Networking Academy Award to the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government (MDEEG) in recognition of its exceptional achievement in recording the highest student participation in Cisco programmes in 2026 and its commitment to expanding access to digital skills training for young people.
The twin awards underscore the remarkable progress recorded by the Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government under the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, whose digital economy agenda has positioned Imo State among Nigeria’s leading sub-national governments in digital innovation, skills development and e-governance.
The awards underscore four years of strategic investments that have positioned Imo among Nigeria’s leading digital economies. Since its establishment in October 2022 as Nigeria’s first sub-national Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government, MDEEG has driven the implementation of the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026, focusing on digital skills, innovation, infrastructure, e-governance and technology-driven economic growth.
A press statement made available to the media said the major pillar of this transformation is SkillUpImo, the state’s flagship digital skills programme, which has trained over 65,000 youths in Artificial Intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, blockchain and other emerging technologies.
With its fourth cohort ongoing, the programme is on track to exceed 75,000 beneficiaries, supported by digital learning centres across the 27 Local Government Areas.
The ministry has also connected digital skills to economic opportunities through the Techosphere Freelance Platform, which has enabled over 1,000 graduates to secure remote jobs. Partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Digital SME Alliance have further expanded internship, mentorship and international employment opportunities for Imo youths.
In the innovation ecosystem, Imo Digital City Limited, backed by a $15 million partnership with the United States Market Access Centre (US-MAC) and the University of California, Berkeley, has supported startup incubation, accelerator programmes, hackathons and entrepreneurship development initiatives.
The ministry has equally delivered key e-governance reforms, including a single-window government portal, development of websites for 35 MDAs, deployment of the MyImoApp citizen services platform, digitisation of land administration through the Imo State Land Information System (ISLIS), broadband expansion projects, and digital identity initiatives that have increased NIN enrolment by over 60 per cent.
Additional milestones include digital transformation programmes in education, justice, security, agriculture and public finance, extensive civil service digital upskilling, and the establishment of Nigeria’s first sub-national Artificial Intelligence Institute, currently being developed within Imo Digital City.
Commenting on the awards, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, described the recognitions as a validation of Governor Uzodimma’s vision of building a digitally empowered and innovation-driven economy.
“These awards affirm the bold vision of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to position Imo State as a leading digital economy.
“They reflect the commitment of our partners, stakeholders and thousands of young Imolites who have embraced digital innovation as a pathway to prosperity,” he said.
Dr. Amadi expressed appreciation to NITDA and Cisco Networking Academy for recognising the State’s achievements.
“We are grateful to NITDA and Cisco for acknowledging our efforts in digital literacy, inclusion and skills development. These recognitions will further inspire us to accelerate our programmes, deepen their impact and expand opportunities for our citizens,” he added.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing digital skills, artificial intelligence, innovation, broadband connectivity and e-governance as key drivers of economic growth, job creation and improved service delivery.
