From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The (NEPZA) has officially issued the Licence/Certificate of Declaration for the Ajaokuta Economic City Free Trade Zone.
In a statement signed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the certificate was presented to the Governor of , , at the NEPZA headquarters in Abuja.
According to the Commissioner, the issuance of the licence marks a historic milestone in the state’s economic transformation agenda and signals the formal take-off of one of Nigeria’s most strategic industrial corridors.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, , congratulated the governor and the people of Kogi State, expressing confidence in the state government’s preparedness to translate the vision of the Economic City into a thriving investment hub.
In his response, Governor Ododo expressed appreciation to President for approving the establishment of the Ajaokuta Economic City Free Trade Zone. He assured the President of the state’s determination to justify the confidence reposed in it by ensuring the rapid development of the zone into a model industrial and commercial ecosystem.
The governor also commended NEPZA under the leadership of Dr. Ogunyemi for its administrative and technical guidance, which culminated in the successful declaration of the Free Trade Zone.
Governor Ododo was accompanied to the ceremony by the Chief Economic Adviser to the State, Mr. Aliyu Nda Salami; the Auditor General for Local Government, Hon. Yakubu Adabenege; and other senior government officials.
Fanwo described the receipt of the certificate as a watershed moment in the realisation of the Ajaokuta Economic City Free Trade Zone, noting that given Kogi State’s strategic geographical location at the heart of Nigeria, the project is poised to unlock what could become one of the largest commercial and industrial corridors in the country, driving investment, job creation, export expansion, and sustainable economic growth.
