The Kogi State government is ramping up efforts to bring in investors for oil and gas exploration, aiming to unlock the state’s untapped hydrocarbon resources.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo recently met with key players in Nigeria’s petroleum sector including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe to chart a course for exploration and development. The strategic meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, focused on securing investment and technical support, with discussions highlighting the use of the Frontier Basin Exploration Fund to drive operations.

Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with federal agencies and stakeholders to boost economic development through energy resource exploitation. He pointed to ongoing state initiatives such as the establishment of the Oil Producing Area Development Commission and active partnerships with relevant institutions, designed to foster inclusive growth and attract private sector interest.

This latest engagement builds on previous discussions, including a 2024 commitment by Governor Ododo to create a business-friendly environment for petroleum activities in Kogi State.

Senator Lokpobiri restated the federal government’s recognition of Kogi as an oil-producing state and emphasized support for driving investments into the region. Kogi earned that designation in 2022 following the federal confirmation of commercially viable oil reserves—marking it as the first Northern Nigerian state to achieve such status.

The NUPRC, empowered by the Petroleum Industry Act, continues to lead Nigeria’s frontier basin exploration, deploying resources to open new oil prospects across the country, with Kogi now firmly in focus.