In a bid to transform Kogi State’s economy from the grassroots, Governor Usman Ododo is prioritizing community participation and youth empowerment in the state’s new mining and infrastructure development drive.
Speaking on Rapid TV in Abuja, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, revealed that the state government’s recent acquisition of 15 mining licenses signals a major shift—placing local communities at the heart of economic development.
“Our approach is simple but powerful: mining in Kogi must be community-owned. We’re encouraging cooperatives so our people are not just spectators, but stakeholders,” Isah stated.
Kogi, which boasts over 32 mineral deposits, has set up a special purpose vehicle under its Solid Minerals Development Company to attract both local and foreign investors.
But beyond investment, the state is also betting on its youth.
Plans are already in place to train 25,000 young people in mineral exploration and operations.
Governor Ododo, currently in China engaging potential partners, is also focused on building platforms for technology transfer and manpower exchange—key ingredients in his broader development agenda, which spans mining, agriculture, education, healthcare, power, and transportation.
Isah highlighted the state’s “smart government, run by smart people,” and emphasized that Governor Ododo’s mission is to unlock Kogi’s potential for the benefit of its people—regardless of political affiliation.
“Our Governor understands rural struggle because he lived it. He’s in a hurry to make a difference, and that urgency is already shaping policy,” Isah said.
On agriculture, the administration is scaling its “one farmer, one hectare” policy to cover up to 50,000 hectares—backed by mechanization, modern tools, and security for farmlands.
Expansion of the state’s rice initiative and a health insurance scheme for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, widows, and elderly citizens, are also underway.
Isah concluded with a message of inclusion: “Everyone—regardless of background or politics—will have a place in the Ododo administration’s development plan.”