NCDC Seeks Strategic Partnership with Kogi as Ododo Highlights Economic Potential »

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has intensified efforts to foster regional development through strategic collaboration, as its leadership paid a courtesy visit to Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, at the Government House in Lokoja.

Leading the delegation, the Chairman of the Commission, Cosmas Akighir, said the visit was part of an ongoing tour of North Central states aimed at building partnerships that would unlock the region’s vast economic potential. He described Kogi as a critical gateway linking northern and southern Nigeria, noting its strategic role in national integration, commerce, and agriculture.

Akighir commended Governor Ododo’s leadership and commitment to development, stressing that the Commission was keen on establishing a symbiotic relationship with the state.

According to him, such collaboration would help harness economic resources not only in Kogi but across the entire North Central region.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, said the Commission was established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, mining, education, and industrialization.

Tsenyil explained that the Commission had already embarked on consultations with other states in the region, including Nasarawa, Plateau, and Benue, noting that its success would depend largely on strong collaboration with state governments.

He emphasized Kogi’s unique position as the confluence state, rich in mineral resources such as iron ore, limestone, coal, and gold, as well as its vast agricultural potential.

He added that the Commission is working on a comprehensive development plan and plans to host a North Central Stakeholders’ Summit to harmonize development priorities across the region.

Responding, The State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo welcomed the initiative, describing the visit as timely and significant. He reaffirmed Kogi State’s readiness to partner with the Commission to drive economic transformation, highlighting the state’s strategic location and abundant natural resources.

The governor placed particular emphasis on the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, describing it as a national asset capable of transforming Nigeria’s industrial landscape. He urged the Commission to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure the project becomes operational.

Ododo also pointed to the economic potential of the Rivers Niger and Benue, noting that proper dredging and utilization of the waterways could revolutionize transportation, boost agriculture, and enhance trade across the region.

He further called for equitable distribution of projects across member states, stressing the need for transparency, inclusiveness, and alignment with state development priorities.

The governor proposed the establishment of an NCDC liaison office in Lokoja to strengthen coordination and ensure effective service delivery.

The meeting also featured presentations from members of the Kogi State Executive Council, who outlined achievements of the administration and identified areas for collaboration with the Commission.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the state operates a 32-year development plan designed to guide sustainable growth, urging the Commission to align its interventions with the blueprint.

In the education sector, Commissioner Wemi Jones highlighted reforms including increased funding, establishment of new universities, and expansion of STEM-focused schools, while the Health Commissioner detailed ongoing efforts to revitalize primary healthcare centres and upgrade tertiary health institutions.

Similarly, the Agriculture Commissioner Timothy Ojomah underscored Kogi’s capacity as a major food-producing state, calling for investment in mechanized farming, processing, and value addition to boost economic returns.

The visit underscores the growing push for regional cooperation as a pathway to unlocking economic opportunities and accelerating development across Nigeria’s North Central zone.

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