By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House – Lokoja
September 7, 2026
The Kogi State Executive Council has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over ongoing development projects across Nigeria, with particular praise for the reconstruction of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Benin Highway.
The commendation followed the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in Lokoja on Monday, where the Council also approved a series of projects and policy measures covering agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing, public communication and institutional reforms.
Governor Ododo said the pace of work on the strategic highway was encouraging, describing the project as an important intervention that would improve connectivity between the North Central and South-South regions.
According to him, completing the highway would ease the movement of people and goods, strengthen trade, improve access to markets and create opportunities for investment and economic activity along the corridor.
The Council also approved the renovation of the headquarters of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (KSBC) in Lokoja and the installation of solar power systems at the corporation’s radio stations in Ocheja and Okene.
To improve communication between government and residents, the Council approved a Quarterly Media Briefing by the Ministry of Information and Communications. The initiative is expected to provide regular updates on government policies, programmes, projects and achievements.
Farmers to Receive Fertiliser and Other Inputs
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojoma, said the Council approved and ratified the procurement of fertilisers, agricultural chemicals and other farm inputs for farmers across the state.
“The Council graciously approved and ratified support to farmers, including the procurement of fertilisers, assorted chemicals and other agricultural inputs for farmers,” Ojoma said.
He said the intervention was designed to support food production during both wet and dry seasons, stressing that agriculture remains a major priority of the Ododo administration.
The Commissioner also disclosed that Kogi had advanced preparations for the take-off of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), supported by the African Development Bank.
He said the required studies, qualification processes and approvals had been completed, while land preparation and site allocation had also progressed.
Ojoma described SAPZ as a major opportunity to strengthen agricultural value chains, attract investment, create markets for farmers and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Council also considered strategic road projects in Ibaji, Bassa and Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas, with the administration linking improved rural access to better movement of agricultural produce to processing centres and markets.
The Commissioner added that the state was working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Bank of Agriculture on food-production initiatives, including plans for poultry and egg production centres across Kogi’s 21 local government areas.
The agricultural focus comes as Kogi continues to pursue greater value addition in its agricultural sector.
More Hostel Space Approved for Medical Students
Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika, said the Council approved the construction of Phase Two of students’ hostel accommodation at the Confluence University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital in Okene.
The approval also covers furniture for the students’ accommodation and doctors’ quarters.
Abanika said the project was necessary to accommodate students moving into clinical training and reflected the administration’s efforts to expand educational and healthcare infrastructure.
The development follows wider efforts to strengthen public infrastructure and human-capital development in Kogi, including the state’s growing investment in specialised education.
Kogi International Airport Construction Underway
Abanika also provided an update on the Kogi International Airport, saying construction had commenced following site clearing and the mobilisation of equipment.
Work on perimeter fencing has also begun, he said.
“The necessary certificates have been obtained and construction has commenced in earnest. Site clearing has been carried out and other facilities and equipment have been mobilised to the project site,” Abanika said.
He said the airport was expected to improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of people and goods and create additional opportunities for investment and economic development.
End Care Programme Targets More Than 5,000 Residents
The Council also approved the implementation of the End Care Programme, which is expected to provide support and welfare benefits to more than 5,000 indigent residents across Kogi State.
“The End Care Programme has been deliberated upon and approved by the Council. It will benefit over 5,000 indigent people in the state, and implementation will commence soon,” Abanika said.
The intervention adds a social-support component to the range of projects approved by the Council, alongside its infrastructure and economic-development measures.
New Legislation for Lottery, Signage and Food Administration
The Executive Council also moved to reposition the administration of lottery activities, signage and food-related matters in the state through new legislation.
The legislative measures are intended to provide a clearer regulatory framework for the affected sectors and strengthen the state’s institutional approach to their administration.
The decisions form part of a broader effort by the Ododo administration to combine physical infrastructure projects with reforms affecting public communication, commercial activities and essential services.
For Nigeria News Today, the Kogi decisions are significant not only because of the number of projects approved, but also because they cut across agriculture, transportation, education, healthcare, social welfare and public-sector regulation.
The State Executive Council reaffirmed its commitment to programmes and projects aimed at improving living conditions, strengthening infrastructure, supporting food production and expanding economic opportunities across Kogi State.
The latest decisions also add to ongoing development efforts in the state, including education and renewable-energy infrastructure, agricultural investment and other projects being monitored by The Bureau Journal.
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