Kogi Is Ready to Become West African Trade, Industrial Hub – Gov Ododo

Tweeturges farmers, manufacturers, miners and entrepreneurs to look beyond Nigeria and target customers in Accra, Abidjan, Lomé and CotonouKogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo said on Monday that the state is ready to become a major centre for international trade, industrial production and agro-processing in West Africa, citing its location and natural resources.

Ododo spoke in Lokoja at the opening of a workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) for Nigeria’s North Central zone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ECOWAS Commission organised the event with the state.

The governor said Kogi sits at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and has extensive farmland, solid mineral deposits and roads linking major economic centres. He said these advantages make it a natural gateway for regional trade and investment.

He said his administration’s 32-Year Development Plan aims to turn those advantages into lasting prosperity. He listed the proposed Ajaokuta Free Trade Zone, an Agro-Processing Zone and the Kogi International Airport as projects meant to attract investors, expand production and connect local businesses to foreign markets.

Ododo also pointed to the Kogi Rebrand Initiative and the Invest in Kogi campaign, which promote opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and industry.

He urged farmers, manufacturers, miners, processors and entrepreneurs to look beyond Nigeria and target customers in Accra, Abidjan, Lomé and Cotonou.

The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms. He said consistent policies, local production and a favourable business climate are essential to a competitive economy, and that Kogi would support federal efforts through infrastructure, investment promotion and enterprise support.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye described the ETLS as an important tool for regional economic integration. He said it gives qualifying products from member states preferential access to regional markets.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria has registered about 3,500 companies and 20,000 products under the scheme. He said these figures fall short of the country’s potential and trail the performance of some other ECOWAS members.

He named livestock, mangoes, millet, maize, sugar, groundnuts and cashew from Kogi and other North Central states as products with export potential. He urged participants to use the workshop to learn about product registration, rules of origin, certification and other requirements for entering regional markets.

He added that more trade among African countries would strengthen economic cooperation and relationships and help promote peace and security on the continent.

Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike, secretary to the Kogi State Government, said the state is economically prepared to take part in regional and global trade. She said the proposed international airport and the ongoing Lokoja International Market project would help move goods and link businesses to wider markets.

She appealed to the federal government to help complete critical infrastructure projects that would strengthen the state’s commercial capacity. She also assured participants that the state is committed to security, which she called a basic requirement for business and investment.

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