Kogi State to Launch Legislative Backing for Ambitious 32-Year Development Plan

Kogi State to Launch Legislative Backing for Ambitious 32-Year Development Plan

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

In a bold move to set Kogi State on a path toward sustainable development, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo announced on Tuesday that the State Executive Council will present a bill to the State House of Assembly seeking legislative approval for a comprehensive 32-year development plan, covering the years 2024 to 2056.

Speaking during the presentation of the 2025 budget estimates, Governor Ododo emphasized the critical need for legislative backing to ensure the continuity of ongoing development projects in the state.

“We are committed to consolidating our efforts in infrastructure and human capital development, enhancing the quality of life for our citizens. This legislative framework is essential to prevent project abandonment and maintain our strategic vision to establish Kogi as an investment destination,” Ododo said.

According to the governor, the proposed plan, titled “Shared Hope and Prosperity,” is designed to transform Kogi State into a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

“As part of our efforts to build a new and prosperous Kogi State, the 32-year development plan serves as a comprehensive roadmap that guides our initiatives over the coming decades,” Governor Ododo articulated.

The development initiative aims to focus on three key pillars: fostering prosperity, building resilience, and providing a clear direction for sustainable growth through innovation, wealth creation, and enhanced healthcare and human capital development. Ododo noted that these foundational pillars are supported by a commitment to peace and exemplary governance.

The Governor also noted the state development plan which is now operational is in three phases beginning with its first phase from 2024 to 2033 to lay the foundation for growth with investment in critical infrastructure, human capital development and economic diversification.

He added that the phases two and three from 2034 to 2043 and 2043 to 2056 will focus on accelerating economic growth, improving governance and enhancing environmental sustainability; and consolidating on the gains of the earlier phases promoting innovation and ensuring the state remains competitive and attractive for investment.

During the same session, Governor Ododo presented the 2025 budget estimate, amounting to N584,404,119,489.00. He described the budget as a “celebration of consolidation and continuity for inclusive development,” with an emphasis on education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements.

The breakdown of the 2025 budget proposal shows that the sum of N302, 813, 903,802 (three hundred and two billion, eight hundred and thirteen million, nine hundred and three thousand, eight hundred and two) Naira representing 51.99% is allocated for capital expenditure while N279, 590,215,687 (two hundred and seventy nine billion, five hundred and ninety million, two hundred anf fifteen thousand, six hundred and  eighty seven Naira) representing 48.01% is allocated for recurrent expenditure.

The budget estimates christened budget of consolidation and continuity for inclusive development is N176, 82,989,476 (one hundred and seventy six billion, eighty two million, nine hundred and eighty nine thousand, four hundred and seventy six Naira) higher than the 2024 revised budget representing a 43.34% increase from the 2024 budget.

The allocation to sectors indicates that the sum of N120, 047, 367,416 Naira which is 20.61% is allocated to administration; N227, 820,142,196 Naira which is 39.12% is allocated to economic matters; N23,754,514,351 Naira which is 4.08%  is allocated to law and Justice, and N210,782,095,526 which is 36.19%

is allocated to social services bring  the total to N582,404,119,489 Naira as the 2025 budget proposal presented to the state house of assembly.

Governor Ododo also outlined the policy direction of the 2025 budget proposal anchored on the state’s fiscal strategy and its Public Financial Management Reform to include improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of spending, greater control of the state wage bill, boosting revenue generation by identifying and blocking leakages, and directing capital expenditure to critical infrastructure such as road, housing, education, health, and other thematic areas of job creation, youth engagement, infrastructure, and utilities, public sector and pension reforms.

He noted that the objective of the 2025 budget is to improve quality of education at all levels, improve access to healthcare, ensure food security, expand trade and commerce, create opportunities for youth development, improve road networks in urban and rural areas, improve the quantity, quality and access to safe water among others.

The Kogi State Governor further noted that the key goals of the  budget are to boost internally generated revenue, pursue debt repayment, foster conducive business environment, encourage public private partnerships, block wastages and leakages in revenue streams and prioritise completion of ongoing projects and programmes while introducing new critical projects aligned with the state’s 32-year development plan.