By Suleiman Abdulmumin
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has officially unveiled the Ajaokuta Economic City Free Trade Zone (FTZ), a transformative industrial hub expected to inject at least $500 million in annual foreign direct investment into Nigeria and generate over 50,000 jobs.
The grand unveiling took place during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where Governor Ododo led a delegation of Chinese investors, development partners, and international business leaders to present the project’s master plan and investment prospects.
Governor Ododo described the initiative as a defining milestone for Kogi State’s economic future, noting that the Ajaokuta Economic City will position the state as a major player in West Africa’s manufacturing, logistics, and technology ecosystem.
He expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting prompt approval and providing federal support that made the project possible. According to him, the President’s commitment to industrial development aligns perfectly with Kogi’s strategic vision to become Nigeria’s next industrial powerhouse.
The Governor also assured prospective investors of a robust security architecture designed to protect lives, assets, and economic activities within the FTZ. He stressed that Kogi’s tertiary institutions especially its polytechnics, universities, and technical colleges will play a central role in supplying the skilled manpower needed to drive the project.
Governor Ododo reaffirmed that the Ajaokuta Economic City is not just an infrastructure venture but a long-term economic driver that will boost exports, stimulate SMEs, and expand opportunities for youths and professionals across the state and Nigeria at large.