Imo State is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east.

It takes its name from the Imo River which flows along the state's eastern border.

It has one of the biggest and most viable oil palm plantations in West Africa; The Ada Palm Plantation Complex established in 1974, occupies about 4,310 hectares of land, with a housing estate and was one of the nation’s major sources of foreign exchange before the discovery of Petroleum.

Owerri, the capital Imo State, is the home of the Nekede Botanical Garden, a well-tended area for displaying varieties of plants labelled with their botanical names.

Owerri is also an industrial and educational centre that manufactures beverages, galvanized sheet-iron, leather products, and soap.

The State economy is highly dependent on agricultural production, especially the production of palm oil, which a majority of citizens rely on for cooking. A key minor industry is the extraction of crude oil and natural gas, especially in Imo's north and west.

Imo state is a predominantly Igbo speaking state, with Igbo people constituting a majority of 98% of its population.