Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has led a high-level delegation to Kuwait to seek development financing, technical expertise and strategic partnerships for projects under the state’s Development Plan 2024–2056.
According to Channels Television, the visit has opened discussions with key Kuwaiti institutions, with technical teams expected to begin preparing priority projects for implementation.
During the mission, Ododo met officials of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), where he presented Kogi’s development priorities and sought a long-term partnership focused on transforming the state’s natural and human resources into economic opportunities.
The proposed areas of cooperation include water infrastructure, irrigation, agriculture, renewable energy, solid minerals, agro-industrial development, transport, communications and ICT, education and healthcare.
KFAED expressed readiness, in principle, to work with Kogi on priority projects, subject to technical, financial and institutional appraisal processes.
The governor also held discussions with Kuwait University on research, innovation, engineering, agriculture, water-resource management and technology. The talks explored knowledge exchange and capacity development between the university and tertiary institutions in Kogi.
Ododo’s delegation further met Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Dr Subaih Abdulaziz Al-Mukhaizeem, to discuss water infrastructure, irrigation, renewable energy and power development.
The governor said improved water infrastructure could support communities and agriculture, while irrigation would help expand all-season farming. He also linked reliable energy to agro-processing and industrialisation, and mineral beneficiation to greater value retention within Kogi.
Discussions were also held with the Governor of Al Ahmadi Governorate, Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on possible cooperation in infrastructure, investment and industrial development.
A key outcome of the mission was the establishment of a technical process to advance the agreements and understandings reached during the meetings. The process will include project documentation, feasibility studies, technical assessments and other preparatory work.
Ododo thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s diplomatic support and praised the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait for facilitating the engagements.
The governor said the mission marked a shift from high-level discussions to detailed technical work aimed at developing partnerships in water, agriculture, irrigation, energy, education, research, solid minerals, commerce and industrial development.
