By Uche Nworah, Ph.D.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one-day state visit to Imo State on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, was warmly received by the people of Imo State and the Southeast region. The visit provided an opportunity for open dialogue with Igbo leaders of thought at the 6,000-capacity Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Center, which the President commissioned after inaugurating projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration in Imo State. Among these projects were the Assumpta Cathedral Twin Flyover and the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia Interststate road.
The master of ceremony, comedian, and Eze-elect, Chief Okey Bakassi, set the tone of the event while welcoming the President to Imo State. “Ndigbo are the cement that holds the Nigerian nation together through their industrial and economic activities all over the country,” he said. He continued with a common joke that any town one visits and does not find an Igbo person is considered uninhabitable.
The joke was met with thunderous applause from the guests in the hall. Such jokes serve as important reminders, especially in today’s climate where it appears Ndigbo are under threat. Recently, their businesses and assets have come under attack, as seen in the demolitions at Trade Fair Market in Lagos, shops at Mandilas on Lagos Island, and ongoing demolitions of estates in parts of Lekki and other areas in Lagos.
When he took the podium to welcome the President and guests, and to speak about his book: A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria, host Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma acknowledged that “reforms are hard, painful, and sometimes misunderstood. They are also necessary and the only path to long-term prosperity.”
He praised President Tinubu for his visionary and determined leadership, stating, “None of the achievements and developments in his book happened in a vacuum. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has led with clarity, making brave decisions that others might avoid, and allowing states to flourish. The reforms he has championed are not easy, but they are already producing results that Nigerians can feel. For this, I extend my deepest gratitude—on behalf of myself and millions who now see hope where there was only despair.” He added that Ndi Imo have resolved to support President Tinubu for a second term in 2027 because of the “transformative impact of his government on the lives of Imo people.”
In his remarks, President Tinubu expressed his love for Ndigbo and reaffirmed that his administration is committed to fostering shared prosperity and social justice. “The Nigerian economy has turned the corner,” he said.
Continuing, he said that the projects inaugurated by him and constructed by the government of Governor Hope Uzodinma are more than brick and mortar. “They are symbols of progress, resilience, and a shared commitment to unity. They represent our Renewed Hope Agenda in action, which is about connecting communities, shared prosperity, opening new frontiers of opportunity, and showing that no part of Nigeria will be left behind”.
President Tinubu said that the last decade was a time of change, and the coming decade will be one of renewal and stability. “Together, Nigeria will win”, he remarked.
He said that there is no religious persecution in Nigeria. “Our churches, mosques, and the Nigerian people of all walks of life, will keep standing side by side, not as rivals but as pillars of the unity that binds us. Outsiders must never define us; we will stand together, protect every citizen, and prove that our diversity is not our weakness, it is our greatest strength”.
Concluding, President Tinubu reeled out the achievements of his two-year administration; “With steady reforms, our economy is turning the corner: growth at 4.23% in Q2, inflation at its lowest in three years, external reserves at $42bn, and exports surging. These are not abstract numbers… they show Nigerians are producing, competing, and building a nation of pride and purpose”. “Nke anyi ga-eme, ga-adi mma. What we do together will endure in goodness”, he thundered.
Many expect that President Tinubu and his government will address some concerns raised by attendees, including perceptions of neglect of the Southeast in political appointments and infrastructural development. The unsettled Mazi Nnamdi Kanu issue continues to trouble Ndigbo, and the ongoing demolitions of property owned by Ndigbo in Lagos demand urgent presidential intervention.
President Tinubu understands the pain of being denied equal opportunities and social justice. He fought against military oppression during the NADECO days, which led to his exile. As Lagos State Governor, he faced federal persecution when President Olusegun Obasanjo withheld federal funds meant for Lagos. Even before the 2023 elections, he battled internal party forces trying to block his emergence as the APC candidate.
I believe President Tinubu should take decisive steps to address these concerns, which would help calm nerves and reassure Ndigbo of his commitment as the father of the nation. He has shown love for the Igbo nation in the past. For example, during the Igu-Aro festival in Enugwu-Ukwu, under the reign of Igwe Osita Agwuna, President Tinubu, then Lagos State Governor, was among the guests at Obu Ofor Nri.
He explained to journalists that he chose to honour the invitation from Ndi Enugwu-Ukwu over attending his cousin’s wedding because of his deep respect for Igbo culture and his longstanding relationship with Ndigbo. He facilitated the appointment of Ndigbo into his cabinet and in his successor Babatunde Fashola’s cabinet.
Ndigbo would like President Tinubu to fully accept Ndigbo as long-term partners in Nigeria’s development, recognizing their role as vital contributors to the nation’s growth.
Dr. Uche Nworah is a public affairs analyst and wrote in from Abuja.