…….Governor Ododo identifies Ajaokuta Free Trade Zone, International Airport as key investment projects.
FIC REPORT (KOGI STATE) – The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has identified the vast agricultural resources of Kogi State and other North Central states as major opportunities for expanding Nigeria’s participation in regional trade under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Enikanolaiye, who spoke on Monday in Lokoja at the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) Sensitisation Workshop for the North Central Geopolitical Zone, urged farmers, manufacturers, processors and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the scheme to access markets across West Africa.
He disclosed that Nigeria had registered approximately 3,500 companies and 20,000 products under the ETLS, but noted that the figures remained below the country’s enormous potential compared with the achievements of some other ECOWAS member states.
The minister identified agricultural commodities such as livestock, mangoes, millet, maize, sugar, groundnuts and cashew as products with considerable potential for value addition and export.
He explained that the ETLS provides qualifying products originating from member states with preferential access to regional markets, thereby creating opportunities for businesses to expand beyond their domestic economies.
Enikanolaiye urged participants to acquire adequate knowledge of product registration, rules of origin, certification and other requirements for benefiting from the scheme.
He expressed optimism that increased trade among African countries would strengthen economic cooperation, deepen relationships and contribute to peace and security across the continent.
In his address of welcome,the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has declared his administration’s determination to position the state as a major destination for international trade, industrial production, agricultural processing and commercial activities in West Africa.
Ododo represented by his Deputy, Salifu Oyibo, while welcoming participants to the workshop, said Kogi’s strategic geographical location at the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue, abundant agricultural resources, solid mineral deposits and road networks connecting major economic centres these gave it enormous advantages in regional and international commerce.
He explained that his administration’s 32-Year Development Plan was designed to transform the state’s natural and economic advantages into sustainable prosperity.
The governor identified the proposed Ajaokuta Free Trade Zone, Agro-Processing Zone and Kogi International Airport as strategic projects expected to attract investors, expand industrial capacity, facilitate the movement of goods and connect local businesses to international markets.
According to him, the projects are part of a broader development agenda aimed at making Kogi a competitive economic hub and a gateway for trade and investment in West Africa.
He also highlighted the Kogi Rebrand Initiative and the Invest in Kogi campaign as deliberate efforts to showcase investment opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and industrial development.
Ododo challenged farmers, manufacturers, miners, processors and entrepreneurs in the state to look beyond Nigeria’s domestic market and prepare their products for consumers across West African countries, particularly Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Benin Republic.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reform agenda, stressing that policy consistency, increased local production and an enabling business environment were essential to building a competitive economy.
The governor also assured that his administration would continue to complement Federal Government initiatives through infrastructure development, investment promotion and support for businesses.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State,Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike appealed to the Federal Government to support the completion of critical infrastructure projects capable of enhancing Kogi state’s commercial and economic capacity.
She also assured participants that the state government remained committed to providing a secure environment for businesses and investors, stressing that security was fundamental to successful commercial operations and sustainable economic development.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ECOWAS Commission, is expected to sensitise businesses and other stakeholders in the North Central region on the opportunities available under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
Some members of the spectrum of the society, including traditional rulers, attended the occasion.
Kogi State is located in North Central Nigeria, a region endowed with abundant and rich agricultural, mineral and human resources.
Maryam Abubakar Gulma
CIPRO Federal Information Centre Lokoja
2nd Nov, 2026
