w
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Lokoja
February 7′ 2026
Kogi State Governor and Visitor to Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s strong commitment to quality education, academic stability and sustained investment in tertiary institutions across the State.
Speaking at the 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Polytechnic on Saturday,
Governor Ododo who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, described education as the most reliable pathway to personal advancement and sustainable development, noting that the institution remains a key driver of technical skills and human capital development in Kogi State.
The Governor commended the Governing Council, Management and staff for restoring academic regularity, highlighting the significant improvement from combining ten graduating sets in the past to just two sets this year; a clear sign of stability and effective leadership.
He congratulated the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 graduands for their perseverance and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Governor Ododo outlined several interventions by his administration at the Polytechnic, including installation of solar-powered streetlights, fencing of the Itakpe Campus, deployment of CCTV cameras, improved staff welfare through the new minimum wage and health insurance scheme, and sustained bursary support for students.
He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for their continued contributions to infrastructure and academic development in the institution.
The Governor noted that all programmes of the Polytechnic now enjoy full accreditation, with 19 new academic programmes introduced to meet modern workforce demands. He further highlighted the completion of key projects, including a 1,000 seat lecture theatre abandoned for over sixteen years.
Governor Ododo encouraged the Polytechnic community to support the new leadership and reiterated his administration’s vision to position the institution as a hub for innovation, skills acquisition and industrial excellence.
He reaffirmed his government’s resolve to continue prioritizing education as a foundation for the progress of the State.
Earlier, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, highlighted significant improvements in infrastructure, academics, staff welfare, student welfare and campus security under his leadership.
He noted that upon assumption of office, he pledged to leave the institution better than he met it, appreciating God, the State Government and the Polytechnic Management for their support in achieving the progress recorded.
The Rector also appealed for continued government intervention in the implementation of staff promotions from 2023 to date, construction of additional student hostels, and sustained payment of academic earned allowances, among other needs.
Highpoint of the event was the commissioning of key projects, including the School of Preliminary Studies, Lecture Room 3 at Itakpe, the Itakpe Campus Fence Project, the 1,000-Seat Lecture Theatre, the Office Technology and Management Building, the Computer-Based Test (CBT) Extension, and the School of Communication Building, by the Deputy Governor.
The ceremony also featured the conferment of Fellowship Awards on Governor Ododo, post humous award on former Governor Abubakar Audu, the state Accountant General, Dr. Habibat Oyiza Tijani Onumoko, and other individuals by the Polytechnic Management in recognition of their outstanding contributions and lasting impact on the institution.
