Biography of Hope Uzodinma, career achievements, net worth

In this piece, News360 Nigeria delves into the life story and career achievements of Gov. Hope Uzodinma.

Hope Odidika Uzodimma is a successful Nigerian business expert and politician who presently presides as Governor of Imo State.

He is also an entrepreneur, philanthropist and alumni of the University of Nigeria.

Profile overview

Name: Hope Odidika Uzodimma

Born: 12th December, 1958

Place of birth: Omuma, Imo, Nigeria

Education: Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Religion: Christianity

Spouse: Chioma Uzodinma

Career: Politician, Businessman

Political party: All Progressives Congress (APC)

Background

Born in Omuma, Oru East LGA, Imo state, Nigeria, on December 12th, 1958, Hope Uzodimma attended Mgbidi Secondary School in Omumu, Oru West, Imo State, Nigeria.

He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and diplomacy as well as a diploma in transportation studies.

Additionally, he graduated from the Federal University of Technology Owerri with a Diploma and a Higher Diploma in Maritime Management Technology.

In addition to a degree in Political Science from the University of London, Uzodinma also holds a Master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

He holds an honorary doctorate from Imo State University and is a Fellow of the Federal University of Technology Owerri’s College of Agriculture, Umuagwo.

Private life

He was born into a committed Catholic family and raised by his parents, Chief Michael and Ezinne Rose Uzodimma.

His father was the chieftain of Ozuh Omuma, and his mother was Ezinne Rose Uzodimma (née Nneoha).

Uzodinma is happily married  to Chioma Uzodimma, with whom he has seven children.

Gov. Hope Uzodinma and his family

Politics

Uzodinma was a prosperous business magnate who successfully ran several profitable businesses before entering politics.

He joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Nigerian Republic, rising to the position of youth leader for Imo State in 1983.

During the third Nigerian Republic, he was a prominent member of the United Nigeria Congress Party.

Uzodimma joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 following the restoration of democracy and began serving on various committees.

He left the party in 2002 and joined the Alliance for Democracy, running for governor of Imo State in the April 2003 election, but losing to a PDP opponent.

He joined the PDP again in February 2004 after losing the election, and he finished second in the party’s primaries.

Uzodimma was sworn in as a senator representing the Imo West Senatorial Constituency in January 2011 after winning his bid for the Imo state senatorial seat. In 2015, he was chosen again for a second term in office.

Prior to the state’s 2019 gubernatorial election, he once more defected from the People’s Democratic Party and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC), which was then in power.

He was sworn in as the governor of Imo state in January 2020 after winning the election.

Uzodimma assumed the role of chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, the governing body of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on May 31, 2023.

On August 13, 2023, Gov. Uzodinma resigned from his position as deputy and selected Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru as his running mate for the state’s 11 November 2023 governorship election. He later emerged victorious, earning him a second term as governor of Imo State. This decision was made in advance of his reelection in 2023.

Honors

In 2017, Nigerian News named him the Most Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year.

He was awarded a peace award from the United Nations in 2022.

Governor of the year Award from The Sun, 2021.

The Most Prolific Governor of the Year by Face of Democracy Nigeria, FDN, 2023.

Gov. Uzodimma was conferred with the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS) in May 2023.

An Award by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2023.

He also holds the traditional title of Onwa-Netiri Oha of Omuma in Oru East local government of Imo State.

Net worth

Gov. Hope Uzodinma is estimated to be worth over $5 million.