Imo State has taken a major step toward becoming a leading digital talent hub in Africa through a strategic partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, and the US Market Access Center. This alliance is expected to place 100,000 trained technology professionals from Imo in paid global roles by 2026, signaling a shift from a resource-dependent economy to one built on human capital and innovation.
At the heart of this effort is ImoTalentHub.com, a new digital talent marketplace designed to connect the state’s growing base of software developers, AI specialists, data scientists, and designers with employers in major cities such as Lagos, London, Dubai, and Silicon Valley. The platform enables verified graduates to display their portfolios, manage secure smart contracts, complete identity checks, and receive payments in foreign currencies through regulated systems.
This initiative builds on the Skill Up Imo program, introduced in 2022 by Governor Hope Uzodimma. The program equips young people with high-demand digital skills, offering a constructive alternative to internet fraud and cultism while creating a new path for economic progress. Over 40,000 young people have already completed intensive training in software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and user experience design, making Imo one of Nigeria’s most skilled digital talent pools.
The curriculum is supported by the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at UC Berkeley. Faculty from the university have led bootcamps on venture funding and ethical AI, helped equip cloud-based laboratories with NVIDIA GPUs at the Imo Digital City campus, and are building a Founder Development Programme that will include venture capital opportunities and Berkeley certification. Graduates are prepared for the global market with practical, startup-ready skills and access to Imo’s emerging tech ecosystem.
Governor Uzodimma described the initiative as a critical transition for the state’s economy. He noted that by working with UC Berkeley and the US Market Access Center, the state is providing its youth with the tools and connections needed to launch globally relevant businesses. The long-term goal is to train and empower 300,000 residents within five years and position Imo as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
Dr Chimezie Amadi, Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, explained that data gathered from the talent hub will help shape smarter policy decisions, boost foreign income, and demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity to export knowledge-based services at scale.
Chris Burry, Managing Director of the US Market Access Center, also praised the initiative, drawing comparisons between Imo’s current momentum and the early days of Silicon Valley. He emphasized the center’s commitment to mentoring young Nigerian innovators who can create lasting solutions for Africa and beyond.
ImoTalentHub offers advanced features such as AI-powered job matching across various programming stacks, an employer interface for large-scale recruitment, real-time earnings dashboards, and a secure contracting system. It also includes a collaborative space for mentorship and project development. The state government publishes anonymized hiring and income data to provide transparency for investors and development organizations.
The platform is expected to significantly reduce youth unemployment, increase foreign remittances, and reengage members of the diaspora. Global employers seeking skilled talent can now access a steady pipeline of trained professionals at competitive rates. Nigerian businesses can also open remote teams through the platform without the burden of relocation costs. Residents of Imo based in cities like London, Houston, or Johannesburg are encouraged to participate as mentors, investors, or hiring partners to further strengthen the community-based model.
Skill Up Imo remains free to all state residents and is expanding to include new learning tracks in blockchain, health technology, and climate data analytics in collaboration with UC Berkeley. ImoTalentHub’s ambition is to become the largest state-backed digital talent directory on the continent, demonstrating that the region’s most valuable export is no longer oil or agricultural produce, but people with knowledge and skills. With support from the global diaspora, multinational employers, and local industry, Governor Uzodimma is determined to establish Owerri not only as a digital capital for Southeast Nigeria, but as a growing innovation center for Africa.
