The Kogi State Government has initiated plans to establish a special economic zone with free trade status in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, during a visit to NEPZA’s Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, in Abuja, sought NEPZA’s collaboration to accelerate the project, which has been in the pipeline for over a decade.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted him to have emphasized that the special economic zone will unlock the state’s vast economic potential.
Strategically located as a bridge between northern and southern Nigeria, Kogi boasts of abundant mineral resources, fertile land for agriculture, and a skilled workforce poised for industrial growth.
“The special economic zone will harness Kogi’s natural resources and create thousands of jobs, making the state a hub for economic activity and a destination for investment,” Governor Ododo stated.
He assured that the state government is prepared to meet all necessary requirements to fast-track the project’s realization.
In response, NEPZA’s Dr. Ogunyemi pledged full support, committing to expedite approvals, licensing, and guidance to help Kogi establish the economic zone. He also commended the governor’s commitment to infrastructure, worker welfare, and security.
The state government has already allocated 3,000 hectares in the Ajaokuta development corridor for the zone, with a Public-Private Partnership model set to fund the project.
