The Federal Government has pledged full support to Kogi State’s ongoing economic development drive, committing to facilitate strategic partnerships and technical assistance for the state’s proposed infrastructure and investment pipeline.
The commitment was secured on Sunday in Abuja during a bilateral meeting between the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.
During the engagement, Governor Ododo presented Kogi State’s long-term development priorities and briefed the Minister on the outcome of his recent official working visit to the State of Kuwait. The Governor disclosed that his mission to Kuwait focused on opening channels for economic cooperation, affordable development financing, technical expertise, and institutional partnerships, including potential engagements with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).
Governor Ododo explained that his administration is currently building a pipeline of bankable projects across core growth sectors, notably water security, agricultural irrigation, reliable power supply, solid minerals development, and industrial value addition. Designed within the framework of the state’s long-term economic master plan, these initiatives aim to stimulate local commercial activity, expand job opportunities, and boost living standards across Kogi State.
The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining strict fiscal responsibility and transparency, emphasizing that all proposed projects will be underwritten by rigorous feasibility studies, clear implementation frameworks, and sustainable financing models. He added that the preliminary talks in Kuwait opened promising avenues for international collaboration, with formal financial commitments to be structured through standard government reviews and technical appraisals.
Responding, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, affirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate closely with the Kogi State Government in achieving its economic agenda. The Minister assured the Governor that the Federal Ministry of Finance will provide the needed backing and guidance as the proposed projects progress through requisite regulatory approvals, technical evaluations, and appraisal stages.
The strategic meeting is expected to bolster federal-state coordination, enhancing Kogi State’s capacity to structure bankable projects that meet international standards for development financing.
Governor Ododo was accompanied to the meeting by the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris.
