From Ahmed Muhammed Danasabe, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is currently attending the 2025 Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank (AFDB) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he was invited as a Special Guest by the continental development finance institution.
A statement on Wednesday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the Governor’s participation as a reflection of the state’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with global financial institutions to unlock economic potential and enhance the living conditions of the people.
At the meeting, Governor Ododo is actively engaging with AFDB leadership to attract strategic financing across key sectors of Kogi State’s economy. He is seeking funding to support agricultural development, expand solid minerals investment, and build transportation infrastructure — particularly a proposed airport project.
To achieve these goals, the Governor is leveraging multiple AFDB financing windows: the Africa Legal Support Facility for improving governance and investment in the mining sector; the Special Agricultural Processing Zones Facility to drive agro-industrialization; and the Infrastructure Facility Fund to develop road, rail, and air transport systems that connect markets and stimulate private sector investment.
These efforts aim to deliver well-structured, bankable projects that align with AFDB’s investment priorities and meet global development standards. Technical teams from both Kogi State and the AFDB are already working closely to align proposals with funding frameworks for smooth and timely execution.
Governor Ododo was joined in Abidjan by a robust delegation including Chief Economic Adviser Nda Aliyu Salami; Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Asiwaju Asiru Idris; Auditor General Hon. Yakubu Okala; and other top officials and consultants.
Their presence highlights the government’s seriousness in forging international partnerships to advance Kogi’s development agenda.
The Governor’s mission aligns with the Renewed Hope vision, focusing on inclusive growth, strategic investment attraction, and sustainable transformation of Kogi State’s economic landscape.
On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, Governor Ododo extended appreciation to the African Development Bank for its warm reception and commitment to long-term collaboration.