In a major push toward industrializing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, Kogi State reached a historic milestone on Thursday, February 26, 2026, by securing the official license for the newly approved Ajaokuta Economic City Free Trade Zone. Governor Usman Ododo received the certificate in Abuja from the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, marking the formal commencement of a project designed to transform the Ajaokuta axis into a premier West African economic hub.
The administrative and structural consequence of this license is the activation of a 4,000-hectare industrial city, originally authorized by President Bola Tinubu in November 2025. This special economic zone is strategically positioned to leverage Kogi State’s unique geography sharing borders with 10 other states and the FCT and its vast untapped deposits of over 30 commercial minerals, including iron ore, lithium, coal, gold, and beryllium. By operating under the NEPZA “one-stop shop” framework, the zone will offer streamlined regulatory processes and tax incentives aimed at attracting massive foreign direct investment.
Analytically, Governor Ododo framed the license as the “missing link” for the region’s economic sustainability. Addressing the long-standing dormancy of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, the Governor revealed that the Federal Government is working intensively on a revival plan, with investors already on-site conducting assessments. He predicted that the steel plant would be operational before the end of 2025, with the new Free Trade Zone serving as a vital downstream partner for steel fabrication, manufacturing, and logistics.
The impact on “Regional Infrastructure and Trade” is a vital dimension of this rollout. To support the heavy logistics required by a multi-sectoral economic city, Governor Ododo announced plans for an international airport in Kogi State. This facility is intended to serve as an alternative to Abuja’s airport, capturing overflow traffic and facilitating global exports directly from the industrial heart of the state. The Governor emphasized that his administration is focused on tangible legacy projects over “social media noise,” inviting observers to witness the state’s security and development firsthand.
Furthermore, the addition of Ajaokuta brings the total number of NEPZA-regulated Free Trade Zones in Nigeria to 46. Dr. Ogunyemi noted that while the issuance of the license is a triumph, it represents the “beginning of a long journey” to build a world-class city. He pledged that NEPZA would provide full regulatory support to ensure the zone adheres to global standards, acting as the sole intermediary for all government interactions to maintain ease of doing business for operators.
The long-term outlook for Nigeria’s industrialization depends on the successful integration of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex with this new Economic City. If realized, the project could finally end the decades-long stagnation of the country’s steel ambitions, creating thousands of jobs and diversifying Nigeria’s export earnings beyond oil. For now, the handover of the asset certificate stands as a powerful signal to the global investment community that Kogi State is open for large-scale industrial business.
