Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has unveiled plans to revive critical road infrastructure in Ibaji Local Government Area, unlock the oil and gas potential and deepen agricultural investments as part of efforts to accelerate economic growth and improve livelihoods.
The Governor stated this during the flag-off of the Fertiliser and Farm Inputs Distribution Programme the 2026 Wet Season Farming in Ibaji.
Governor Ododo disclosed that engineers and consultants have completed technical assessments of the Ibaji road project to ensure durable construction, adding that the report has been submitted to relevant community stakeholders for their input before the project proceeds to the funding stage.
He also announced that his administration would move to harness the untapped oil and gas resources in Ibaji, stressing that the state is determined to maximise the economic value of its natural resources for the benefit of the people.
The Governor said his administration is committed to giving people of Ibaji a new lease of life through purposeful leadership, with deliberate investments in road infrastructure and improved access to farming communities to stimulate development across the area.
Describing agriculture as the foundation of sustainable economic prosperity, Governor Ododo said continued investment in farmers, rural infrastructure and agricultural value chain remains central to his administration’s vision of achieving food security and shared prosperity.
He thanked the people of Ibaji for their overwhelming support and confidence in his administration, assuring that their trust would continue to be rewarded with impactful development projects.
On security, the Governor described the crisis in parts of Ibaji as localised and politically motivated, cautioning residents against allowing themselves to be used by individuals seeking to undermine the peace and stability of the area.
He also directed that fertilisers and other farm inputs be distributed strictly to genuine farmers, warning political actors and other stakeholders against interfering with the transparent distribution process.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, praised Governor Ododo for strengthening the relationship between the state government and the people of Ibaji, noting that his administration has continued to extend the dividends of democracy to communities irrespective of their geographical location.
He described the fertiliser distribution programme as a strategic investment in Ibaji’s vast agricultural potential, expressing confidence that it would boost food production and strengthen food security in the State.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah, described Ibaji as the food basket of Kogi State, blessed with fertile land and abundant human resources capable of driving large-scale agricultural production.
He said the Governor’s vision for Ibaji extends beyond agriculture, noting that ongoing plans to revitalise the area’s road infrastructure would improve access to farming communities and unlock greater economic opportunities.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Egwaba, urged the Governor to sustain the rehabilitation of Ibaji’s road network, noting that improved infrastructure would unlock the area’s enormous agricultural potential and enhance the livelihoods of residents.
