FIC Report (Kogi State) – The Economic Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Inda Salami said
the Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment aimed at attracting investments, boosting economic growth, and positioning the state among Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.
This commitment was highlighted during the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Sub national Stakeholder Engagement Reforms Tour 2026, where government officials, business leaders, and private sector stakeholders engaged in extensive discussions on strategies to improve the state’s economic competitiveness.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ interactive session in Lokoja on Wednesday,the Economic Adviser to the Governor, said the primary responsibility of government is to remove obstacles that hinder business growth while ensuring security of lives and livelihoods.
According to him, government at all levels directly employs only a small fraction of citizens, making it imperative to create an enabling environment that allows private enterprises to flourish and generate employment opportunities.
Salami disclosed that Kogi State has adopted a 33-year development plan backed by law, making it binding on successive administrations and ensuring continuity in the state’s economic transformation agenda.
He noted that the state established the Kogi State Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnership Agency (KOSIPPPPA) to drive investment promotion, facilitate business partnerships, and attract both local and foreign investors.
The adviser also highlighted the establishment of the Kogi State Solid Minerals Processing Company to harness the state’s vast mineral resources, as well as the Kogi Agro-Allied Company to strengthen agricultural value chains and enhance food production.
As the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) focal person, Salami revealed that Kogi had embraced several recommendations from PEBEC, including plans to establish additional small claims courts and multi-door courthouses to facilitate quick dispute resolution and improve investor confidence.
He expressed concern over Kogi’s current ranking of 30th out of Nigeria’s 36 states in the Ease of Doing Business Index but pledged that the state would move into the top 15 positions within the next 12 months.
A panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Prosper Praise Ogbonnia of PEBEC, featured representatives of key government agencies, including the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), the Ministry of Lands, and KOSIPPPPA.
Representing the Ministry of Lands, Mr. Yahaya Karim said the state had simplified land administration processes, enabling applicants to obtain Certificates of Occupancy within 60 days.
On revenue reforms, Hajiya Hassana Salau, representing the Executive Chairman of KGIRS, explained that the state had harmonised taxes over the past three years to eliminate multiple taxation.
She added that taxpayers can now register, make payments, and obtain receipts through an online platform, thereby improving transparency and efficiency.
Speaking on investment opportunities, Mr. Jacob Ocheje of KOSIPPPPA described Kogi as one of Nigeria’s most promising investment destinations, citing its abundant natural resources and agricultural potential.
He noted that Kogi produces some of the country’s best cashew products and disclosed that the proposed Ajaokuta Free Trade Zone is expected to significantly transform the state’s economic fortunes by offering tax incentives and attracting large-scale investments.
Ocheje revealed that the agency is implementing investor aftercare support programmes, designed to retain investments and encourage business expansion, while also collaborating with the Bank of Industry to facilitate access to funding.
Stakeholders from the private sector, however, urged government to address persistent challenges affecting businesses.
The Vice President of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Dr. James Oliver, called for the establishment of an effective grievance redress mechanism and urged authorities to sustain efforts aimed at making the state more attractive to investors.
Similarly, Comrade Rajah Suleiman, First Deputy President of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Shippers Association, lamented the high cost of transporting agricultural products, particularly cashew, from Kogi State to export terminals.
He disclosed that exporters spend about ₦500,000 before cashew leaves collection centres in Kogi and an additional ₦1.7 million to transport the commodity to Lagos ports.
The Comrade appealed to government to facilitate direct transportation of agricultural produce to ports and construct warehouses within the proposed free trade zone to reduce logistics costs and improve competitivenes.
Also speaking, Mr. Danish Suleiman, President of the Kogi State Sesame Seed Association, identified poor electricity supply as a major obstacle to increased production, stressing that manufacturers and agro-processors require stable power to operate efficiently.
An environmental advocate, Abdulkarim Kamaradeen, urged government to explore opportunities in the recycling industry, noting that investments in waste recycling could create thousands of jobs while expanding the state’s revenue base.
Representing the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Obiga Okechukwu, called on the state government to strengthen mechanisms for protecting businesses from debtors, fraudsters, and other practices that discourage investment.
The engagement brought together representatives from government agencies, business associations, and the organised private sector, all united in their resolve to make Kogi State a leading destination for investment, industrial growth, and economic prosperity.
Participants at the forum include officials from the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and other key stakeholders in the state’s economic development ecosystem.
The event underscored the growing collaboration between government and the private sector as Kogi seeks to unlock its economic potential and accelerate sustainable development.
Maryam Abubakar Gulma
CIPRO
Federal Information Centre Lokoja
10th June 2026
