By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has said the Ajaokuta Economic City proposed to host the Kogi-Hunan Free Trade Zone, would begin operations this year, with the groundbreaking of the project expected in the second quarter of 2026.
Governor Ododo made this known when he led a delegation of state officials to receive the Declaration Certificate designating the Ajaokuta Economic City as a Free Trade Zone from the management of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).
A press statement signed and issued by the Special Advisor on Media, Ismail Isah, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja has disclosed.
According to the statement, the certificate was presented at the headquarters of the NEPZA in Abuja by its Managing Director, Olufemi Ogunyemi, following the Federal Government’s approval of the designation.
The approval followed earlier authorisation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in November 2025 for the establishment of the 4,000-hectare Ajaokuta Economic City in Kogi State.
Governor Ododo said the Free Trade Zone status provides a strong legal and investment framework that will attract local and foreign investors, stimulate industrial growth and create thousands of jobs for the people of Kogi State.
He described the development as a “historic turning point” for the state and Nigeria’s industrialization drive, stressing that the free trade zone would help reposition Ajaokuta as a major economic hub in West Africa.
“Today is historic for our people. Sometime last year, I was here to interface with the managing director and his team to present reasons why Kogi State should be considered for this very special project, the Ajaokuta Economic City and Free Trade Zone. He guided us and set up various committees to ensure due diligence and compliance with all processes. When you have a leader who sincerely places the interest of the people first, the result is what we are seeing today”, Ododo said.
The governor explained that the free trade zone would serve as a catalyst for economic transformation, leveraging Kogi State’s strategic location and abundant mineral resources.
According to him, Kogi State borders several commercial centres and is endowed with over 30 solid minerals in commercial quantities.
“If you look at Kogi State, it is specially created by God. It is the only state in Nigeria that borders about 10 commercial centres, including the Federal Capital Territory. We are richly blessed with solid minerals such as coal, iron ore, lithium, gold and beryllium, but these have never worked for us,” he said.
He added that the initiative would help unlock the state’s economic potential and position Ajaokuta as a strategic industrial hub capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The governor assured that the Federal Government was working intensively to revive the facility.
“I want to advise that we should be up to date. Some people are not aware of what Mr President is currently doing in Ajaokuta. As we speak, there are investors already assessing the plant.
“Before the end of this year, Ajaokuta will be up and running. With the coming of this free trade zone, the project will advertise itself and add to the economic sustainability of our nation,” he said.
Responding, Ogunyemi described the issuance of the licence as the beginning of a long journey, noting that NEPZA would continue to support the state in developing the zone.
“The road does not end here. This is the beginning of a long journey. This is a multi-sectoral economic city that can become one of the most successful free trade zones in Nigeria”, he said.
He explained that the free trade zone model is globally recognised and designed to attract investment, promote exports and create jobs.
With the addition of Ajaokuta Economic City, the number of Free Trade Zones licensed and regulated by NEPZA has increased to about 46, further expanding Nigeria’s special economic zones framework and strengthening efforts to attract foreign investment, boost exports and drive industrialization ahead of its planned 2026 take-off.
