Kogi State Positions Itself as Nigeria’s New Energy Hub at AKK Business Forum

By: Patience A. Williams
GOM-V’s Special Correspondent

In a powerful address delivered at the 2025 AKK Business Development Forum, Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, declared the state ready to become the epicenter of Nigeria’s new energy revolution, driven by the transformative Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.

Speaking to a gathered audience of investors and stakeholders at the Government House Banquet Hall, Governor Ododo framed the event as a “defining moment” for the economic future of both the state and the nation.

The Governor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the AKK project, stating it underscores a national shift to clean energy and positions Nigeria as a future “economic superpower.” He directly linked Kogi’s progress to the President’s economic reforms, which he said have freed up more resources for state-level development.

Crucially, Governor Ododo announced that his administration has already taken “proactive measures” to secure the AKK pipeline corridor and protect ongoing gas projects in Ajaokuta. “We are uncompromising in taking the necessary actions to safeguard our people and protect investments,” he asserted, directly addressing potential investor concerns about security.

The Governor outlined an ambitious vision to make Kogi the preferred destination for energy-intensive industries. He highlighted the pipeline’s role in providing clean, affordable energy to power sectors such as fertilizer production, petrochemicals, glass manufacturing, cement, and ceramics.

“Kogi is about to happen to the Nigerian economy in full blast,” Governor Ododo proclaimed, signaling the state’s imminent arrival as a major commercial force. He also revealed that the state is in the “final stage” of securing approval for a Free Trade Zone, a move expected to transform Kogi into the “commercial nerve center of Nigeria.”

Highlighting the need for a prepared workforce, the Governor emphasized the strategic establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara. He stated the institution is purpose-built to produce the engineers, technologists, and innovators required to harness the new opportunities.

Citing Kogi’s vast natural endowments—including 32 mineral resources and arable land larger than the entire South-East—Governor Ododo assured investors of an enabling environment. He pledged continued improvements in ease of doing business, regulatory reforms, and critical infrastructure development.

“Together, let us seize this moment,” he concluded. “Let us collaborate, invest, and build a prosperous Kogi State that will stand as a beacon of industrial excellence, energy innovation, and shared prosperity.”

The forum served as a robust platform to showcase Kogi State’s readiness to leverage the AKK Gas Pipeline, marking a significant step in its journey towards becoming a leading industrial and economic hub in Nigeria.
Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano(AKK) Gas Pipeline is a critical infrastructure project designed to transport natural gas from Nigeria’s southern gas fields to the central and northern regions, facilitating industrial growth and power generation.