At the Crossroads of Destiny
Thirty-four years after its creation, Kogi State stands at a defining moment. Blessed with minerals, fertile land and a strategic confluence, we have everything it takes to become Nigeria’s economic heartbeat.
Yet, decades of untapped potential remind us that natural wealth alone does not build prosperity. What matters is discipline, political will and strategic investment.
THE TREASURE BENEATH OUR FEET
Kogi is richly endowed:
Iron Ore (Itakpe, Agbaja, Koton Karfe): Foundation for steel, construction and machinery.
Coal (Ankpa belt): Energy source for industries and cement.
Limestone & Marble (Obajana, Jakura): Already powering Nigeria’s cement giants with potential for tiles and glass.
Gypsum, Kaolin, Feldspar: Essential for ceramics, paints and household products.
Gold: Still mined informally but with high-value potential.
Cashew: Our “green gold” already making Kogi a top exporter.
Add to this our Niger-Benue waterways, the Itakpe-Warri rail line, the AKK gas pipeline, and Kogi’s location becoming a logistics and industrial dream.
WHY WE STRUGGLE
If we are this rich, why is prosperity not visible? The answer is clear:
Outdated plants and incomplete projects like Ajaokuta.
Poor power supply for industries.
Over-reliance on roads while rail and rivers sit underused.
Informal mining that wastes resources and damages communities.
Investors held back by bureaucracy and policy uncertainty.
THE PATH TO TRANSFORMATION
To move from potential to prosperity, Kogi must:
1. Develop Three Industrial Corridors
Steel & Metals (Itakpe/Ajaokuta-Lokoja) Restart beneficiation plants, use AKK gas for mini-mills, and roll out rebar and billets
Cement & Ceramics (Obajana – Jakura) Build clusters for glass, tiles, and sanitary ware.
Agro Corridor (Anyigba-Ankpa-Okene): Create a cashew megahub and modern agro-processing center. ”
2. Fix Infrastructure First
Extend gas pipelines into industrial clusters.
Strengthen rail and port logistics for heavy cargo.
Upgrade Lokoja inland port for regional exports.
3. Create the Right Climate for Investment
A One-Stop Permit Office to cut red tape.
Transparent mining cadastre to end illegal exploitation.
Community partnerships with equity shares to ensure local buy-in.
4. Build Human Capacity
Establish a Mining & Industrial Skills Academy at Kogi Poly.
Train youth in beneficiation, ceramics, food safety, and global export standards.
5. Ensure Responsible Governance
Mercury-free gold processing and strict environmental audits.
Government contracts to prioritize Made-in-Kogi materials.
Security partnerships to protect industrial corridors.
A ROADMAP FOR ACTION
First 100 Days: One-stop investment office, mining cadastre map, MoUs on rail and gas supply.
1 Year: NIOMCO running, cashew exports processed in Kogi, ceramics hub taking shape.
3 Years: Gas-fired mini steel mills, thriving cashew industry, and Kogi producing a quarter of Nigeria’s building materials.
CONCLUSION: A State Ready to Rise
Kogi is not just the Confluence State; it can be Nigeria’s Convergence of Industry. With minerals in our soil, gas in our pipelines, and determination in our people, the future is within reach.
At 34, our story must change from one of untapped potential to one of unstoppable progress.
The rivers meet in Lokoja, but our true confluence is in discipline and vision. If we act boldly now, Kogi will rise as Nigeria’s model for economic transformation.
PRINCE AYOUB ELHOUD ENESI
(From Munich Germany, but Lokoja in my heart)
