Governor Ododo didn’t just go there to sign papers. He has since returned home to roll up his sleeves to make the partnership a huge success.

The Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming the state’s agricultural sector and improving the livelihood of farmers through the recently signed Food for Lagos partnership, aimed at creating a robust food supply chain between Kogi and Lagos State.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who highlighted the strategic steps already taken to actualize the economic potential of the initiative.

According to Fanwo, less than two weeks after the agreement with the Lagos State government was signed, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has begun implementing concrete measures to boost food production, improve infrastructure, and attract high-value investments into the state’s agricultural sector.

“Governor Ododo didn’t just go there to sign papers. He has since returned home to roll up his sleeves to make the partnership a huge success.

With the Governor’s efforts, Kogi farmers will earn more from their agricultural produce.”

He revealed that the State Ministry of Agriculture has already mapped out key areas with comparative advantages for specific crops, ensuring that each region contributes meaningfully to the value chain.

Kogi, he said, is already a leading producer of cassava in Nigeria and West Africa, and the administration is working hard to dominate other areas of food production.

“We are not just talking about being the food basket of the nation, we are taking real steps to become one,” he said.

He praised Governor Ododo as a visionary leader who, from the outset of his administration, placed agriculture at the center of his development agenda.

“During his campaigns and in his inaugural speech, he emphasized the need for Kogi to be self-sufficient in food production. Today, he is fulfilling that promise.”

Fanwo also highlighted major government-backed programs such as RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project), which is facilitating the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve access to markets, and ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), which is channeling investments into rural farming communities.

“Agriculture in Kogi is receiving the biggest attention it has ever received,” Fanwo affirmed.

“Our youth and women from Ibaji to Gegu and Egbe are now fully involved in the agricultural revival sweeping across the state.”

He further noted that the state’s growing success in combating rural insecurity has contributed to increased farming activity and boosted confidence among local farmers.

The Information Commissioner said that the Food for Lagos Project is a game-changer, not only for food supply in Nigeria’s largest city but also for wealth creation and economic empowerment in Kogi State.

“With sustained implementation, this partnership will make Kogi farmers richer and the state stronger economically,” he said.

Abuja has overtaken Lagos as Nigeria’s top destination for foreign capital inflow, according to the Q1 2025 Capital Importation report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report revealed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) attracted $3.04 billion in capital importation during the first quarter of 2025, surpassing Lagos, which drew $2.54 billion in the same period.

This marks the first time Lagos has lost its long-standing position as the country’s number one hub for foreign investment.

Following Lagos were Ogun State with $7.95 million, Oyo with $7.81 million, and Kaduna with $4.06 million.Overall, Nigeria recorded a total capital importation of $5.64 billion in Q1 2025 — a 67.12 percent increase from the $3.37 billion reported in Q1 2024.

Compared to Q4 2024, which recorded $5.08 billion, capital inflow rose by 10.86 percent.

In the NBS report, Portfolio Investment accounted for the largest share at $5.20 billion (92.25 percent), followed by Other Investments at $311.17 million (5.52 percent).

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was the lowest contributor with $126.29 million (2.24 percent).

• Aliko Dangote and Benedict Oramah

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has contributed US$1.35 billion of the US$4 billion syndicated financing arrangement for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) to refinance the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex.

Commenting on the development, Professor Benedict Oramah, President & Chairman of Board of Directors at Afreximbank, said:“With this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate that Africa’s development can only be meaningfully financed from within.

“It is only when African institutions lead the way that others can follow.

The journey to utilise African resources for its own economic transformation is well underway.

Through the Bank’s funding support, we are enhancing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Ltd to produce and supply high quality refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market, as well as for export to the entire continent and the world. Our energy security is in sight.”

Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, added:“Afreximbank’s contribution to this milestone financing underscores our shared vision to industrialize Africa from within.

“This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s supply of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa, ” said Aliko Dangote.

Afreximbank acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger, for the syndication.

This financing— one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African financial markets—will refinance capital expended on constructing

The financing alleviates initial operational expenditures and enhances DIL’s balance sheet, supporting its continued growth trajectory.

Afreximbank contributed US$1.35 billion, the largest share among participating banks, underscoring its commitment to large-scale infrastructure that advances Africa’s industrialization, energy security, and intra-African trade.

Since operations at the refinery complex began in February 2024, Afreximbank has continued to support the Dangote Refinery by providing key financing solutions—for crude supply and product offtake—ensuring uninterrupted operations and reinforcing its role in Africa’s most significant refining intervention.