The Senate on Tuesday mourned former Kogi State Governor and businessman Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who died in London on September 20, 2026, at age 77.
Idris was remembered through a motion of urgent national importance, sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah, alias Echocho (Kogi East), who described him as a prominent Nigerian whose contributions to business, politics, and public service left a lasting mark on Kogi State and the country.
Jibrin said he and the late governor were associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at different times, adding that Idris remained an important figure in Kogi’s political history.
Born on April 6, 1949, in Idah Local Government Area of present-day Kogi State, Idris spent part of his childhood in Onitsha, Anambra State, where his father traded.
He attended Holy Trinity Primary School, Onitsha, and Prince Commercial College, Buguma, Rivers State, before obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the University of Abuja.
Before entering politics, Idris built a successful business empire under the Ibro brand, with interests in construction, furniture, manufacturing, and hospitality.
His notable ventures included the Ibrahim Furniture Factory in Sokoto and Ibro Hotel, one of the pioneering hotels in the region.
Idris was later elected governor of Kogi State on the platform of the PDP.
He served from May 29, 2003, to January 6, 2012, making him the longest-serving elected civilian governor in the state’s history.
Jibrin said the former governor’s administration executed several major infrastructure projects, particularly in Lokoja.
The projects included housing for civil servants, classroom blocks, the Lokoja International Market, the State Specialist Hospital and the expansion of the Greater Lokoja Water Scheme.
He described Idris’s death as a significant loss to his family, Kogi State and Nigeria, and urged the Senate to observe a minute’s silence and send a delegation to condole with the deceased’s family.
Contributing to the debate, former Sokoto State Governor and senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, praised Idris for his contributions to Sokoto State, where he built his business empire and raised his family.
Tambuwal recalled that Idris, popularly known as Ibro, began his business career in the wood industry before expanding into hospitality.
He said the late businessman was highly respected in Sokoto and was conferred with the title of “Ambassador” by the Sultan of Sokoto.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) described Idris as a leader committed to the people’s welfare.
He recalled the former governor’s willingness to pay workers the minimum wage while in office.
Oshiomhole said that when he led the Nigeria Labour Congress in engaging Idris on workers’ welfare, the late governor demonstrated a clear commitment to improving their conditions.
Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) and Abba Moro, the Minority Leader, also paid tribute to the former governor and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a minute’s silence in honour of Idris, and the Senate subsequently observed it.
