•Says Kogi State have been shortchanged for long
By ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called for a fairer national revenue distribution formula, as the Federal Government’s Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission ( RMAFC), launches a nationwide review of Nigeria’s horizontal revenue allocation formula.
Governor Ododo who played host to the RMAFC delegation at the Conference Hall of the Government House in Lokoja, also reaffirmed State Government’s commitment to securing its rightful share of federal revenue amid the ongoing RMAFC data verification process.
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The RMAFC is currently visiting states across Nigeria to collect input for a full review of the country’s horizontal revenue allocation formula.
The Governor spoke extensively about the state’s vast and rich mineral wealth and economic transformation, however expressed concerns that these resources are not yet working for the state as they should.
He pointed out that the state is endowed with approximately 32 mineral deposit in large commercial quantities that could make the it the hub of the nation.
His words, ” this visit is timely because, we can not be doing the same thing, the same way, the same method, the same style and expect different results. You are here not only to verify only paper statistics, you are here to verify and takes for records the value of the resources you have been sending to the state.
” Please, go round and see what we have, as far as Kogi state is concerned, we have been shortchanged for long. We have over 32 mineral resources in commercial quantities. For example, we have oil and gas and we don’t have value for it from the federation. Please we want you to help us to look into the record so that it can continue to count for us.
“Then, in terms of other minerals, infact today, Kogi state produces the highest quality of cashew. The state produces 60 percent of cashew in this country but it is not counting for us. We have coal in all the 9 Local Governments in the Eastern part of the state. For example, in Okaba, in Ankpa Local Government Area, we have about 9 licensed miners, the least among them confessed to us that what he is earning is a net of 1.5 billion.
“In Kogi West, Ijumu Local Government for example, we have limestones, gold and iron ore in large deposits but it is not working for us. In Lokoja, we have gold, we have limestones, we have iron ore, it is not working for us. In Kabba/Bunu, we have gold, in Yagba West, we have gold in commercial quantities and it is not working for us”
He commended the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for embarking on its nationwide fiscal verification, describing it as a timely initiative that will strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal federalism and ensure fairness in the distribution of national resources.
He also noted that the exercise, which is taking place after about a decade, would provide the credible and verifiable data needed for equitable revenue allocation across the country.
Ododo said the 2026 national fiscal data verification was strategic because the commission’s constitutional responsibility of reviewing revenue allocation principles could only be effectively carried out using accurate and reliable data.
According to him, the verification of public primary and secondary schools, healthcare facilities and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) records goes beyond statistics, stressing that it is aimed at promoting fairness, equity and justice in the sharing of national resources.
“Reliable data remains the foundation for evidence-based governance, equitable allocation of resources and sustainable development,” the governor added.
He desclosed that the Kogi State Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency, accountability and data-driven governance through improved data management systems and institutional reforms aimed at enhancing planning, budgeting and service delivery.
Governor Ododo directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the 21 Local Government Councils, to provide the commission with the necessary documentation, access and support to ensure the successful conduct of the verification exercise.
The governor expressed confidence that the outcome of the exercise would improve Nigeria’s revenue allocation system, deepen fiscal transparency and strengthen confidence among the federating units.
He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pursuing institutional reforms, fiscal sustainability and policies aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy, saying the initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and inclusive development.
Ododo urged the commission to carry out a comprehensive assessment of Kogi State, insisting that the state had been shortchanged in the country’s revenue allocation,despite its enormous economic potential.
According to him, Kogi is an oil and gas-producing state whose contributions are yet to be fully recognised.
He also noted that Dekina Local Government Area is one of Africa’s leading cashew-producing areas, while Kogi accounts for about 60 per cent of Nigeria’s cashew production.
The governor further highlighted the state’s growing economic assets, revealing that toll gates inaugurated in January now record over 500 trucks daily.
He added that Kogi is richly endowed with gold, limestone, iron ore and more than 30 other solid minerals in commercial quantities.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Ogun State, Mr. Akeem Amosu, said Kogi was the final stop in the commission’s nationwide verification tour.
Shehu explained that the exercise, being conducted simultaneously across the country, would verify school enrolment figures, healthcare facilities and other fiscal data across all 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said the exercise would provide the commission with credible information needed to review revenue-sharing indices for states and local governments and ensure fair statutory allocations.
The Managing Director commended the Kogi State Government for granting the team unrestricted access to relevant records and data required for the exercise.
Also speaking, the RMAFC Federal Commissioner representing Kogi State, Abdulaziz Idris, praised Governor Ododo for extending infrastructure to rural communities, promoting capital development and building an inclusive government.
He noted that all 21 local government vice-chairpersons in the state are women, describing the administration as one that has given young people and women greater opportunities to participate in governance.
Idris assured the governor that the verification would be conducted across all the Local Government Areas.
In his remarks, Prof. Idris Aliyu, said the quality of data provided by Kogi State reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency, expressing optimism that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue profile would rank higher after the verification exercise
