The Kogi State Government has stepped up collaboration with federal agencies and international investors to reposition agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy, drive food security, and expand agricultural exports.
This renewed push followed a working visit to Geregu in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, where government officials, agriculture experts, and investors inspected farms and met with stakeholders on opportunities for mechanised farming, value addition, and market expansion.
Leading the delegation, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, said the initiative reflects Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s vision of leveraging agriculture to create jobs, empower farmers, and boost the economy.
“Our Governor has always said we must produce what we eat and eat what we produce. With mechanisation, innovation, and the right partnerships, Kogi will not only feed its people but also support neighbouring states and build export capacity. Agriculture is our strongest pathway to job creation, especially for the thousands of graduates our universities produce yearly,” Ojomah said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture, Mr. Mathew Ajayi, noted that the partnership aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security agenda and his drive to reduce Nigeria’s food import bill.
“Nigeria spends billions of dollars on food imports every year. Our target is to reverse this by promoting crops like rice, maize, soybeans, and other cash crops for export. This partnership with Kogi and Onida Agri is a key step toward generating billions in agricultural exports,” Ajayi explained.
The Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Hon. Victor Omofaiye, stressed the agency’s role in ensuring farmers receive fair market prices and direct access to export channels.
“Our mandate is to secure food supply, build a robust commodity exchange, and open export opportunities. By strengthening market access, farmers will not be shortchanged, and crops like rice can become fully exportable,” Omofaiye said.
Onida Agri and Aquaculture Solutions Ltd Managing Director, Israel Kidron, described Kogi as one of the most promising locations for modern agriculture due to its fertile land and abundant water resources.
“Kogi has all the parameters for successful agriculture. We aim to establish year-round operations powered by technology, better seed varieties, and mechanisation. Beyond this, we will train farmers, transfer knowledge, and ensure higher yields and improved quality,” Kidron said.
He added that Onida Agri—backed by over 35 years of agricultural experience in Africa and 15 years in Nigeria—is committed to helping Kogi achieve food security and position its crops for global markets.
The partnership, set to cover multiple local government areas, is expected to generate jobs, empower farmers, and accelerate Kogi’s emergence as a major player in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation value chain.