– Set to revolutionize Agriculture, Mining and Industry sector
By Kehinde Erin
Kogi State has signed a historic partnership with Hunan Province, China, through the China-Africa Economic and Trade Partnership (CAETP), to boost economic development in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, and industrialization.
This collaboration, forged during Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s high-level visit to China, aims to establish Kogi as a top investment destination in Nigeria, driving growth and progress in the state.
Kogi State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, hailed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s recent trip to China as a “masterstroke” that will revolutionise the state’s investment landscape.
He stated that the partnership with Hunan Province will significantly enhance Kogi’s agricultural and solid mineral sectors, attract foreign investment, and accelerate the development of the Ajaokuta Industrial Park.
Hunan Province, China, is a major economic hub with a GDP exceeding N1 trillion. Known for its agricultural prowess, solid mineral wealth, and industrial development, with a leading steel producer and China’s top rice-producing province.
Its successful industrial parks have driven significant economic growth, making it a strategic partner for Kogi State, which shares similarities with Hunan, including extensive river systems and abundant natural resources.
According to the Commissioner, the agreements signed by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and Hunan Province Governor, Mao Weiming, focus on establishing an Industrial Park in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, which will function as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This development is expected to attract local and international investors, driving economic growth and investment opportunities in the state.
“As part of the collaboration, a series of investment-related meetings have been held, with the support of Hunan officials, to identify anchor and tenant investors for the Industrial Park. Early progress has been promising, with several Chinese investors expressing strong interest in the project, marking significant ‘quick wins’ for the partnership.
“The economic potential of Kogi State is now firmly on the international radar. The agreements signed with Hunan Province are just the beginning of a new era of industrial growth, global partnerships, and sustainable development for our state,” Fanwo said.
The delegation who accompanied Governor Ododo to China, comprising key officials, including his Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Nda Salami; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Muizudeen Abdullahi, SAN; Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Development, Hon. Idris Asiru; Auditor General, Mr. Yakubu Okala; and other senior government officials and investment advisors. The team is committed to implementing the agreements and attracting foreign direct investment to Kogi State.
According to Fanwo, “The fact that the Chief Servant of the State is leading the delegation and negotiations has instilled confidence in the investors that Kogi is ready for business. This is in line with the promise of the Chief Servant to make the State the global epicenter of investments and to diversify the economy.
“Governor Ododo’s leadership and vision were key to building confidence and trust with Chinese investors, showing a clear commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investment. The Kogi State Government is focused on making the State a hub for industrial development, leveraging the new partnership with Hunan to unlock vast opportunities in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, and industrial parks.
“On January 27, 2025, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo promised an unprecedented foreign investment drive to ensure Kogi’s resources work for the people of Kogi. Less than three months after that promise, he is already crossing continents to attract meaningful development to the state,” he concluded.
