Opinion: Bashir Geju Is Laying the Groundwork for Kogi’s Economic Breakthrough
As someone who has followed developments in Nigeria’s mineral sector closely, particularly with an interest in technical and vocational development – I find it both refreshing and commendable to witness the transformational leadership being demonstrated by Hon. Bashir Geju, the Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources.
Since his appointment, Geju has taken bold, deliberate steps that are already repositioning Kogi as a serious contender in Nigeria’s economic diversification drive. From securing 15 federal mining licenses for the state – covering strategic minerals like limestone, iron ore, coal, tin, and bauxite – to equipping the Kogi State Mineral Processing Company with modern mining machinery, it is clear that Geju is not just filling a position but fulfilling a purpose.
These licenses are not just papers; they are tickets to wealth creation, industrialization, and job opportunities for thousands of young Nigerians. His efforts reflect a clear understanding that the solid minerals sector can be more than a revenue spinner- it can be a platform for innovation, investment, and inclusive growth.
What excites me most is the long-term implication of his work for institutions like the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (NKFI), where I serve as Rector. As Kogi becomes a hub for mining and industrial activity, it will inevitably attract investors and create demand for skilled manpower. This means that NKFI graduates- armed with technical skills in mechatronics, welding, ICT, and more- will be well-positioned to take up roles in mining operations, machinery maintenance, and processing technology.
Geju’s leadership is also people-oriented. His grassroots empowerment program, which provided cash and machinery to 500 citizens during his birthday in 2024, is a testament to a Commissioner who understands that governance must touch lives directly. It’s not enough to drive investment- you must prepare and uplift the people to participate in that growth.
One cannot ignore the clear direction of his strategy. Kogi is being marketed as open for business, and foreign investors are beginning to take notice, as indicated by Governor Ododo’s own calls for global partnerships in June 2025.
From a national development standpoint, what Bashir Geju is doing deserves attention and replication. He is aligning state resources with federal support, local empowerment with global standards, and policy ambition with practical action.
I am writing this piece because I am sincerely impressed that he is living up to expectations. His tenure is already yielding visible results, and if this trajectory continues, Kogi will soon become Nigeria’s top destination for mining investment – a development that will not only boost state revenue but provide a future of gainful employment for technical graduates across the state and beyond.
This is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs – visionary, grounded, inclusive, and action-oriented.
By Dr. Williams Charles Oluwatoyin
Rector, Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (NKFI)
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