Governor Uzodimma's Visionary Drive: Imo State to Establish First-Ever South-East Film Village in Umucheke-Okwe
By Fredrick Uchenna Njoku
Writes from Owerri | freduchenjoku@gmail.com
In a historic legislative move, the Imo State House of Assembly on Thursday, October 9, 2025, passed a landmark bill for the establishment of a state-of-the-art film village in Umucheke-Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area—set to be the first of its kind in South Eastern Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Chief Dr. Uba James Esile, fondly known as “Fresh-Air,” scaled through its third reading with overwhelming bipartisan support. The development signals a strategic commitment by the state to position Imo as a regional leader in Nigeria’s thriving entertainment and creative economy.
Once Governor Hope Odidika Uzodimma, CON, assents to the bill, it will become law—marking yet another bold milestone in his administration’s efforts to diversify the state’s economy, create jobs, and harness Imo’s cultural and creative heritage.
The proposed film village is envisioned as a comprehensive creative hub equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure, including:
- A film and media academy
- World-class audiovisual studios
- Auditoriums and outdoor shooting sets (tents, huts, collapsible walls)
- Night shooting facilities with floor lighting
- Hospitality and leisure services including restaurants, bush bars, spas, salons, a mini-supermarket, wine shops, and guesthouses
- Recreational and tourism amenities
These facilities will not only support local and international film production but also serve as a dynamic ecosystem for content creators, musicians, filmmakers, digital entrepreneurs, and tourists.
Strategically located near the scenic Imo River, between Onuimo and Okigwe LGAs, the site offers both natural beauty and logistical convenience—positioning it as a future cultural and tourism hotspot.
Imo State boasts a rich legacy of artistic excellence, having produced icons such as Okey Bakassi, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Genevieve Nnaji, Empress Njamah, Osita Iheme, Zack Orji, Linus, and Brain Jotter. The musical roots of the region are equally profound—home to the legendary Oriental Brothers, Sir Warrior, and highlife pioneers who shaped Nigeria’s soundscape.
Despite this heritage, Imo has historically lacked the infrastructure to support large-scale creative industry growth, forcing many talents to migrate to hubs like Asaba. The film village is poised to reverse this trend, attract investments, and reclaim Imo’s place on the national and global creative map.
Stakeholders across the entertainment, tourism, and economic sectors have lauded the initiative, noting its potential to:
- Stimulate local economic growth and employment
- Attract local and international film productions
- Improve surrounding infrastructure
- Drive digital innovation in content creation
- Enhance cultural preservation and tourism
The film village aligns seamlessly with Governor Uzodimma’s urban renewal and infrastructural development agenda, which includes the reconstruction of intra-LGA roads, the Okigwe–Owerri Road project, and the proposed Federal University of Okigwe.
These complementary projects are expected to enhance accessibility to the film village and bolster investor confidence.
This groundbreaking project underscores Governor Uzodimma’s growing reputation as the "Vanguard Infrastructure Governor of the Year 2025", and reaffirms his administration’s proactive approach to economic diversification through innovation.
By investing in the creative economy, the Governor is sending a strong message that Imo State is open for creative and cultural business—not just as a shooting location, but as a full-fledged production and content creation hub.
As the state awaits the Governor’s formal assent, anticipation is building across the South East. All eyes are now on Umucheke-Okwe, the soon-to-be creative heartbeat of the region, set to elevate Imo’s artistic and economic fortunes for generations to come.
