****State targets key reforms to unlock development financing and attract investment
Kogi State is stepping up its game in the nationwide race to access the $750 million World Bank-backed SABER fund, with a renewed focus on improving its ease of doing business and creating a more investment-ready environment.
The State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, revealed this commitment during a strategic technical session and statewide townhall meeting held in Lokoja on Friday.
The event was hosted in partnership with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) as part of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) initiative.
Represented by his Chief Economic Adviser and Kogi State SABER Focal Person, Aliyu Inda Salami, Governor Ododo emphasized that the state is pursuing critical reforms in land administration, commerce, agriculture, investment promotion, and legal frameworks—particularly in easing access to credit for local businesses.
“This engagement is timely. It gives us the opportunity to evaluate our progress and galvanize all stakeholders toward unlocking new streams of development funding both locally and internationally,” Salami said.
The $750 million SABER (State Action on Business Enabling Reforms) programme was established by the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Government to incentivize sub-national reforms that promote a business-friendly climate across Nigeria.
So far, less than 10 percent of the available funds—just $70.9 million—has been accessed by participating states due to low compliance with required reform benchmarks. Kogi, according to PEBEC’s Director General, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has already met four out of twelve key milestones.
However, with a one-year extension granted to the SABER programme, the DG stressed that the state still has a vital opportunity to scale up its reform performance and secure more funding.
“Kogi State has shown commitment, but this is the moment to double down. We need to see visible actions in the remaining milestones,” Princess Zahrah said.
To access more of the performance-based funding, Kogi must urgently implement several strategic measures:
Establish a functional grievance redress mechanism
Issue an executive order mandating collaboration among five key MDAs
Create small claims courts to improve dispute resolution for businesses
Begin regular publication of monthly business statistics
Princess Zahrah reaffirmed PEBEC’s readiness to support Kogi’s reform journey with technical assistance and hands-on collaboration.
“Kogi is strategically positioned in the heart of Nigeria, rich in both human and natural resources. With the right reforms, it can become a top destination for investment in the North Central region,” she added.
As states across the country compete to meet SABER benchmarks and unlock their share of the $750 million development fund, Kogi’s bold push to implement enabling reforms could soon pay off—placing it at the forefront of Nigeria’s new business frontier.
