The Ododo Revolution: Kogi’s New Beginning »

By Williams Charles Oluwatoyin, PhD

Since assuming office on January 27, 2024, Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has set Kogi State on a remarkable path of progress. His administration has prioritized education, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and welfare, delivering tangible results that resonate with the people. As the 2027 elections loom on the horizon, Ododo’s transformative leadership makes a compelling case for his re-election.

Education has emerged as a flagship achievement under Ododo’s tenure. Building on the free and compulsory basic and secondary education policy introduced by his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, he has significantly boosted school enrollment while clearing the streets of out-of-school children. With the education budget now at an impressive 30%, two fully accredited state-owned universities have sprung up, equipped with modern hostels, lecture halls, and cutting-edge security gadgets. These institutions are opening doors to higher education for Kogi indigenes, ensuring safer and more accessible learning environments. Thanks to Governor Ododo’s education policies, Kogi children are now in school, and parents do not have to worry about senior and junior WAEC and Neco as the governor has taken that off the shoulder of parents.

Furthermore, Governor Ododo has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting Kogi State students through various scholarship and bursary initiatives. In January 2025, after about 12 years of none payment of scholarship, his administration disbursed over N316 million in bursary and scholarship support to 8,750 undergraduate students, alleviating financial burdens and encouraging higher education. Law students from Kogi State received a N300,000 bursary each, ensuring they can focus on their studies without financial stress. Additionally, Governor Ododo personally awarded N5 million to Miss Favour Oluwatimilehin Adebayo, a Kogi student who secured an Erasmus scholarship to study in Poland, highlighting his support for international educational opportunities.

In addition to revolutionizing education, Ododo has placed youth empowerment at the heart of his agenda. The Kogi Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme (KOYESA) has trained 250 young people from all 21 local government areas in practical skills such as CNG conversion, welding, and solar installation at the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute. Graduates received start-up packs, certificates, and business name registrations, along with monthly stipends during training. The results speak volumes: over 70% of participants are now gainfully employed or running their own businesses. The KOYESA program has changed lives. One of the state when he came for his certificate “I learned valuable skills, and now I’m running my own business. I’m grateful to Governor Ododo for this opportunity,”

Additionally, Ododo’s administration has tackled infrastructure with gusto, enhancing connectivity and quality of life across the state. Contracts for eight township roads have been awarded in key areas like Egbe, Idah, and Mopa, spanning all three senatorial districts. The ambitious 106.3-kilometer rural road rehabilitation under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project promises to ignite economic growth in rural communities. Healthcare, too, has seen a boost, with the revitalized Central Cold Chain Store and a N7 billion investment in 88 primary healthcare centers improving vaccine storage and access. The new roads are making it easier to travel and do business.

Moreover, Ododo’s unwavering commitment to welfare has won the hearts of Kogi’s workforce. His administration has ensured prompt salary payments, implemented a N72,500 minimum wage, and even disbursed leave bonuses to all staff categories – moves that have sparked widespread praise. Local government workers and civil servants alike have lauded the reliability, which has bolstered morale and trust in governance. The prompt payment of salaries and bonuses has made a huge difference in the life og government workers, who now feel valued and appreciated by the government.

In addition to his support for the workforce, Governor Ododo has shown a deep commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable members of society. Recently, at a ceremony held at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, he empowered over 1000 widows across Kogi State with food and cash, providing much-needed relief to those who have lost their primary breadwinners. This initiative, part of his broader welfare agenda, has been widely praised for its compassion and timeliness. One of the widows who was beaming with smiles and responding to my greeting said “Governor Ododo’s support has given me hope and the strength to carry on,” “The food and cash will help me provide for my children, and I am deeply grateful.” This act of kindness further cements Ododo’s love in the heart of the people with the reputation of a leader who truly cares for all his people.

As Kogi State stands at the cusp of a new era, Governor Ododo’s achievements paint a picture of a leader dedicated to progress. His bold strides in education, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and welfare—including his recent support for widows—have laid a solid foundation for growth, bolstered by international partnerships and investment. While some may argue that timely salary payments are a basic duty, the undeniable trajectory of development under his watch is poised to secure him a strong voter base in 2027. Ododo’s vision is clear—and it’s one that promises a brighter future for Kogi State, ensuring his return to Lugard House.

As Kogi State stands at the threshold of a new era, the achievements of Governor Ododo paint a compelling picture of a leader dedicated to progress. His transformative strides in education, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and welfare have laid a solid foundation for growth. However, the journey is far from over. Ongoing projects, such as the rural road rehabilitation and the expansion of healthcare facilities, require the steady hand of experienced leadership to see them through to completion. Returning Governor Ododo in 2027 is not just for continuity; it is for stability, for building on the successes already achieved, and for ensuring that the bright future he has envisioned for Kogi State becomes a reality. Let us rally behind him, for in his leadership lies the promise of continued prosperity and progress.

Williams Charles Oluwatoyin, PhD
Writes from Lokoja