The Federal Government has approved the declaration of the Ajaokuta Economic City as a Free Trade Zone, marking a significant milestone in the industrial and economic development of Kogi State.
Spokesperson to the Kogi State Governor, Ismaila Isah, disclosed this in Lokoja.on Thursday.
He said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will lead the state delegation to the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) on Thursday to formally receive the Declaration Certificate.
Isah said the presentation would be performed by the Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, alongside other senior officials of the organization.
Technical Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor Funded Projects, Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata said the issuance of the Declaration Certificate by the Federal Government will formally signal the take off of the Ajaokuta Economic City, which will host the Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone.
Ozomata said the development is projected to attract both local and foreign investments, stimulate industrial growth, and create employment opportunities for residents of the state and beyond.
It would be recalled that the Kogi State Government had earlier applied to the Federal Government for approval and to designate the Ajaokuta Economic City as a Free Trade Zone.
The approval was granted in November 2025 after which Governor Ododo formally unveiled the Ajaokuta Economic City at an investment forum attended by representatives of local and foreign investors in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment, highlighting the strategic location of Ajaokuta and its proximity to critical infrastructure such as the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, Rivers Niger and Benue waterways and the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line.
