Kogi Moves to Attract Oil Exploration Investment
⁹The Kogi State Government has intensified efforts to attract major investments into oil and gas exploration across its territory, positioning itself as a key player in Nigeria’s energy future.
This follows a high-level meeting held earlier this week in Abuja between Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.
Discussions centred on tapping into the Frontier Basin Exploration Fund, managed by the NUPRC, to unlock the state’s hydrocarbon potential and attract technical and financial support from both local and international investors.
Governor Ododo reaffirmed Kogi’s commitment to collaborating with federal agencies and private partners to develop its natural resources responsibly. He highlighted ongoing efforts including the passage of the law establishing the Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (KOPADC), aimed at ensuring inclusive development of oil-bearing communities.
“We are ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure Kogi’s resources are developed for the benefit of our people and in a way that guarantees investor confidence,” the governor said.
He also restated his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for oil investors, building on his previous visit to the minister in October 2024.
In response, Senator Lokpobiri reaffirmed Kogi’s status as a recognised oil-producing state and assured that the federal government would support efforts to mobilize investments and technical expertise for upstream development in the state.
The Petroleum Industry Act empowers the NUPRC to invest in frontier basins to drive new discoveries and enhance national oil output. Kogi made history in 2022 as the first northern state officially recognised for oil production after the federal government confirmed commercial-level deposits.
As momentum builds, Kogi is emerging as a strategic frontier in Nigeria’s quest to diversify and expand its oil production footprint.