By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House, Lokoja
June 10, 2026
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to creating a thriving business environment that attracts investments, creates jobs, and drives sustainable economic growth across Kogi State.
The Governor made this known the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Focal Person and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Inda Salami, during the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Subnational Stakeholder Engagement Reforms Tour 2026 and Technical Workshop on Business-Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness held in Lokoja.
The event, which attracted government officials, development partners, private sector operators, and investment stakeholders from across the country, provided a platform to assess progress, strengthen collaboration, and chart a new course for economic competitiveness and investment attraction.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Ododo while declaring the workshop open, Alhaji Salami said the administration recognizes that a robust business environment remains the foundation for economic prosperity, job creation, industrial growth, and improved living standards.
He noted that Governor Ododo’s government has continued to pursue deliberate reforms aimed at enhancing regulatory efficiency, promoting transparency, simplifying government-to-business services, and expanding opportunities for private sector participation.
“The Ododo administration remains committed to positioning Kogi State as one of Nigeria’s most attractive investment destinations. Through strategic reforms and innovative policies, we are creating an environment where businesses can thrive and investors can confidently commit their resources,” he stated.
The Governor highlighted the significant progress already recorded under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, revealing that Kogi State has improved its ranking from 36th to 30th position in business environment performance.
According to him, the state has now entered the consolidation phase of the reform programme with the development of the 2026 Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan, designed to simplify business registration processes, improve access to land documentation, strengthen public-private partnership frameworks, expand digital governance, and enhance investment promotion initiatives.
Governor Ododo further emphasized that his administration is not only focused on attracting new investors but is equally committed to supporting existing businesses through an investor aftercare programme that provides continuous engagement, efficient grievance resolution mechanisms, one-stop investment support services, and post-investment monitoring.
He explained that the government is facilitating business expansion by assisting investors with land permits, infrastructure support, and regular public-private dialogue aimed at addressing operational challenges and encouraging reinvestment.
In a major endorsement of the state’s reform agenda, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zarah Mustapha Audu, commended Kogi State for its impressive strides in improving the business climate and promoting investment opportunities.
She stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda requires active collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, noting that Nigeria’s economic future depends significantly on reforms implemented at the subnational level.
Princess Audu praised Kogi’s commitment to reform while urging the state to remain focused and strategic in achieving its ambitious economic growth targets.
Other PEBEC officials also applauded the state’s efforts, describing Kogi as one of the most strategically located states in Nigeria with enormous potential to become a leading investment hub in the North Central region.
They encouraged the government to further strengthen investment promotion initiatives through improved branding, harmonized revenue systems, digital payment solutions, and the establishment of a comprehensive one-stop investment centre.
The workshop also featured presentations on regulatory impact assessment, investment competitiveness, and dispute resolution mechanisms, including the role of small claims courts in promoting entrepreneurship and improving debt recovery processes.
Participants expressed optimism that Governor Ododo’s reform-driven approach would continue to unlock new economic opportunities, attract local and foreign investments, stimulate industrial growth, and consolidate Kogi State’s position as the gateway between Northern and Southern Nigeria.
