…Commissions Bank’s regional headquarters in Owerri
The Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma Monday, December 25, 2025, commissioned the regional headquarters of Nova Bank in Owerri, informing the board, management, staff, and stakeholders, that Imo State is ready for business with the bank.
In his remarks while unveiling the former Merchant Bank (but now a Commercial Bank), Governor Uzodimma noted that his administration’s huge investment in infrastructure, and the conscious efforts
to make Imo State a choice destination hub for investors seeking conducive business and economic environment, had already
guaranteed Nova Bank a place in Imo to thrive.
He described the Chairman of Nova Bank, Mr. Philip Oduozor, as a “tested and trusted” hand in the banking sector in Nigeria, “one of the best and brightest” and the reason the bank should be cut out for huge success.
“Imo State is ready for business,” Governor Uzodimma said, noting that Nova Bank unveiling marked, yet another strategic partnership between the State government and the financial institutions, in what he regards as a “joint commitment to foster a conducive environment for investment.”
“When a leading financial institution chooses to plant its regional roots in our soil, it is a statement that reverberates louder than any political stage,” he told a crowd of stakeholders, business leaders, political office holders and Nova Bank officials who attended the event.
He also pointed out that Access Bank had recently opened her own regional headquarters in Owerri, “further signifying growing confidence in Imo’s economic potential.”
Governor Uzodimma therefore lauded Nova Bank for her vision.
“Through this regional headquarters, Nova Bank has demonstrated a clarity of vision that is worthy of commendation. You have looked beyond the surface and recognised the new Imo as more than just a place to visit, but a place to build, a place to grow, and a place to prosper.”
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Imo State’s image from a leisure destination to a thriving business hub.
He acknowledged historical perceptions that relegated the State to being merely a consumer of wealth, and emphasised the reason he is making conscious efforts to change the narrative by building an ecosystem where enterprise thrives in the State.
Governor Uzodimma also related the many infrastructure improvements that have laid the groundwork for business growth, including enhanced road connectivity, digitised tech skill acquisition and land administration, as well as increased power supply.
He brought to the fore the gains from the recent Imo Economic and Investment Summit that attracted global political and business leaders, and reminded Nova Bank that coming to Owerri at this time also speaks to the dream of the economic and business potential of Imo State as attested to by the Summit attendees.
“By the end of this month, greater parts of Owerri will have stable power supply 24/7,” he hinted, adding that “peace and nightlife have fully returned to our streets.”
The Governor extended an invitation to Nova Bank to deepen its roots in Imo, encouraging the bank to consider establishing a head office in the State.
He promised to make available a plot of land in a choice area in Owerri for that purpose in the spirit of “Investment Meets Opportunities – IMO.”
“We support you because the bank is our own bank, and fits into our vision for a new Imo,” he stated, emphasising the potential for shared success under a public-private partnership (PPP).
In his address earlier, the Chairman of Nova Bank, Mr. Philip Oduozor who also hails from Imo State, revealed that though the bank had formally opened today, December 15, she has been in operation since 2018 as a Marchant Bank.
He stated that he was poised to find means of helping Imo people and the entire South East region through facilitating credits and loans that support SMEs.
He appreciated Governor Uzodimma for creating the enabling environment that can attract investment in Imo State, and for personally finding time to unveil the regional headquarters despite his crowded schedule.
The highpoint of the unveiling was the tour/inspection of the facilities in the bank by the Governor and the Bank’s Senior officials.
