Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has formally unveiled the Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone, also known as the Ajaokuta Economic City, a major industrial development expected to attract $500 million in annual foreign direct investment (FDI) and generate 50,000 jobs.
The project was presented on Tuesday during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, where the governor led a delegation of Chinese and international partners involved in the multi-sector investment initiative.
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Governor Ododo said the FTZ represents “a new chapter in Kogi’s industrial growth”, noting that its establishment aligns with the state’s ambition to become a leading hub for manufacturing, mining, logistics, and energy in West Africa.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting swift approval and offering federal support toward the take-off of the project.
According to the governor, the state has developed a robust security framework to protect investors, workers, and critical infrastructure within the Free Trade Zone. He also highlighted the strategic role of Kogi’s tertiary institutions in supplying the required skilled manpower.
“Today, we plant the seed of generational prosperity. Kogi State is the beating heart of Nigeria. We don’t talk. We do,” Governor Ododo said.
The event brought together representatives of Chinese industrial groups, development finance institutions, local partners, and regulatory agencies.
