By Ojotule Romanus
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has highlighted plans by his administration to drive economic growth and foster wealth creation by tapping into the huge potentials of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project.
In line with this, he said his administration has already taken proactive measures to secure the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano ( AKK), pipeline corridor.
This is just as he further disclosed that his administration was at the final stage of securing approval for the Kogi State Free Trade Zone in Ajaokuta, an initiative he pointed out, would transform Kogi State into the commercial nerve center of Nigeria.
Governor Ododo, disclosed this at the 2025 AKK Business Development Roadshow tagged, ” Accelerating Domestic Gas Utilisation and Driving the CNG Revolution Along the AKK Corridor” held at the Banquet Hall, Government House Lokoja, recently.
He affirmed his administration’s commitment to making Kogi State the preferred destination for energy-intensive industries, manufacturing, and agro-proccessing.
According to him, when the AKK pipeline project becomes operational, industries could access clean and affordable energy, reducing operational costs and enhancing competitiveness.
Under the proposed plan, the Governor, said the prospect for fertilizer production, petrochemical industries, glass manufacturing, cement, ceramics , and other gas-based enterprises were brighter than ever ,just as he boasted, ” Kogi is about to happen to the Nigeria economy in full blast”.
Governor Ododo pointed out that the state government was not leaving the future to chance, hence the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara , to prepare young Kogites for the opportunities that were already unfolding.
The institution, he said was already producing engineers, technologist, scientists, and innovators who would shape the future of the state and the nation adding that, beyond the Osara, his administration was investing massively to upgrade the infrastructural and accedemic standard of all the tertiary institutions to ensure that competence meets opportunities.
He further stated that the State Government has been proactive in her partnership efforts to position the state as a key platform for the country’s new energy revolution.
His words, “here in Kogi, we are aligning with the visionary leadership of Mr. President. Our administration is committed to promoting investments and positioning Kogi State as the platform for Nigeria’s new energy revolution”.
“Without being prompted, we have taken proactive measures to secure the AKK pipeline corridor, ensuring surveillance and safety for this critical national investment. We have also been providing protection for ongoing gas project in Ajaokuta, a heavy investment that defined Nigeria’s readiness to harness adequate energy to power the economy”.
“Kogi State is fast becoming what our forebears envisioned, a prosperous state attracting man investments and driving real economic progress. The economy is expanding, opportunities are multiplying, and our young people are finding gainfull employment across emerging sectors”.
“The commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the AKK project is further testament this determination to ensure an energy shift to clean power, and position Nigeria as an economic superpower. His forward-thinking leadership is building a Nigeria capable of producing her military wears , ensuring internal security, and contributing meanifully to global peace ” he also added.
The Governor assured all investors in the state and prospective investors that kogi State was a safe destination for their business.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and, New Energy at NNPC Ltd. Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, dislosed that the AKK gas pipeline project which is near completion, has significant economic benefits expected for Kogi State and Nigeria at large, just as he pointed out that plans have been concluded to expand the existing gas pipeline in response to the increasing demand for power and the need for gas-based industries.
Mr. Ogunleye stated that the Gas Master Plan 2 which he described as one of the impactful and critical initiative of the NNPC, would be lunch soon as part of the efforts to grow gas production in Nigeria stressing that Kogi State will be the major beneficiary of the project.
