Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has declared that the establishment of five Mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants in Ajaokuta will redefine Kogi’s role in Nigeria’s energy sector, positioning the state as a key player in the country’s industrial and economic transformation.
L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan; GCEO NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo and Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shaiubu Abubakar Audu perform the groundbreaking ceremony at the NGML/Gasnexus LNG Plant, one of the 5 Mini-LNG Plants launched in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, on Thursday.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Governor Ododo emphasized that the multi-billion naira project, spearheaded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in partnership with private investors, would drive job creation, industrial growth, and energy security, both for Kogi and the nation at large.
His Special Adviser on Media Ismaila Isah in a statement quoted him thus;
“This is more than just an LNG project; it is a catalyst for economic transformation,” Ododo stated. “With an initial combined production capacity of over 80 million cubic feet per day, these plants will not only boost domestic gas supply but also open new frontiers for investment and industrialization in Kogi State.”
He noted that his administration is fully committed to fostering a business-friendly environment for energy investors while ensuring that local communities benefit from job opportunities and economic activities generated by the project.
Governor Ododo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing Nigeria’s energy transition and fast-tracking the project through strategic partnerships with Prime LNG, NGML/GASNEXUS LNG, LNG Arete, Highland LNG, and BUA LNG.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the project on schedule, stressing that all necessary equipment is in place for immediate deployment.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpo Ekpo, highlighted the project’s alignment with President Tinubu’s executive order on maximizing Nigeria’s gas potential, while Minister for Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, emphasized its role in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Governor Ododo also underscored the project’s potential in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
He assured that his administration would sustain peace, security, and infrastructure development to attract more energy investments into Kogi State.
The groundbreaking event, attended by top government officials, industry leaders, and investors, marks the beginning of a new energy revolution in Kogi—one that will cement its position as an industrial and energy powerhouse in Nigeria.