Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has signed Bilateral trade and industrial development agreement with the government of Republic of Kuwait in the middle east, as part of strategic investment drive of Kogi State government towards unlocking development potential of the state.
The high-level economic development agreement between the government of Kogi State and the Kuwaitian authorities covers water resources development, energy, education, agriculture, minerals, and industrial development.
Governor Ododo led the high-level delegation of the State Government to Kuwait in a major push to attract affordable development financing, technical expertise, and strategic partnerships for the implementation of the Kogi State Development Plan 2024–2056.
According to Kogi State government, the mission has opened a new development partnership between Kogi State and key Kuwaiti institutions, with technical teams now expected to move from high-level engagements to the preparation of priority projects for implementation.
At the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Governor Ododo and his delegation met with the Acting Director-General, Mr. Rashaid A. Al-Bader and senior officials of the Fund, where the governor presented Kogi’s development vision and outlined the state’s priority areas for international cooperation.
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Governor Ododo says Kogi state is seeking a comprehensive, long-term development partnership capable of transforming the state’s natural and human resources into sustainable economic opportunities.
Governor Ododo identified Kogi’s strategic location, extensive water resources, agricultural potential, solid minerals and emerging energy opportunities as assets that could support job creation, food security, industrialisation and improved living standards when backed by the right infrastructure and technical expertise.
The Kuwait Fund expressed readiness, in principle, to work with Kogi State on priority development projects, subject to the required technical, financial, and institutional appraisal processes.
The emerging partnership will focus on water infrastructure, irrigation and agricultural transformation, power and renewable energy, solid minerals and beneficiation, agro-industrial development, transport, communications and ICT, education, and healthcare.
The proposed cooperation will also cover project preparation, feasibility studies, engineering designs, technical assistance, institutional capacity development, and environmental and social assessments.
Governor Ododo explained that the areas were interconnected, noting that improved water infrastructure would strengthen communities and agriculture, irrigation would expand all-season farming, reliable energy would support agro-processing and industrialisation, while mineral beneficiation would enable Kogi to retain greater value from its natural resources.
“Beyond development financing, the governor and his delegation held discussions with Kuwait University on collaboration in education, research, innovation, engineering, agriculture, water-resource management, and technology.
“At the university, Governor Ododo met with its president, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, with both sides exploring opportunities for knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and capacity development between Kuwait University and tertiary institutions in Kogi State.
“The delegation also met with the Governor of Al Ahmadi Governorate, His Excellency Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, to explore a sister-government relationship and cooperation in infrastructure, investment, industry and development experience,” Governor Ododo noted.
In another major engagement, the delegation met with Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Dr. Subaih Abdulaziz Al-Mukhaizeem, to discuss water infrastructure, irrigation, renewable energy, power development, and technical cooperation.
The discussions are particularly relevant to Kogi’s plans to expand irrigation, promote all-season agriculture, develop agro-processing, and establish reliable energy infrastructure to support industrial growth.
