In a landmark move set to redefine the economic landscape of Kogi State, Governor Usman Ododo has hailed the establishment of the Bank of Industry (BoI) complex in Lokoja as the dawn of a new era of industrial and commercial growth in the state.
Speaking during the official commissioning ceremony of the BoI facility at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Lokoja on Monday, Governor Ododo described the bank’s presence as a catalyst for economic transformation. According to him, this development marks a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards becoming a major hub for investment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive development.
“The inauguration of the Bank of Industry complex today is not just a building launch — it is the beginning of a new chapter in our state’s economic narrative,” the governor declared. “Kogi State is not only ripe for business; we are now strategically positioned to attract and support meaningful investments across various sectors.”
Governor Ododo emphasized that the state government is fully committed to supporting the operations of the BoI and leveraging the institution’s resources to empower local entrepreneurs, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and foster job creation. He reiterated his administration’s readiness to work closely with the bank to ensure that both emerging and existing businesses in the state receive the financial backing and technical support they need to thrive.
“Our administration understands that sustainable development is built on the foundation of a vibrant private sector. That is why we will do everything necessary to partner with the Bank of Industry to ensure that our people — especially youth and women — have access to the financing and support they need to start and grow businesses,” he said.
The newly commissioned BoI complex is expected to serve as a one-stop center for business financing, development advisory, and enterprise growth support in Kogi State. With this infrastructure now in place, the bank is better positioned to extend its tailored financial products and services to a wider range of businesses within the state, from agribusiness ventures and manufacturing outfits to tech startups and community-based enterprises.
Governor Ododo expressed confidence that the BoI’s presence will help unlock the state’s economic potential by promoting industrialization, boosting internally generated revenue, and reducing youth unemployment. He also used the occasion to call on both local and international investors to consider Kogi as a strategic destination for business, given its central location, resource wealth, and emerging infrastructure.
The event was attended by top government officials, traditional leaders, business stakeholders, and representatives from the Bank of Industry, all of whom lauded the move as timely and forward-thinking.
With the commissioning of the BoI complex, Kogi State is signaling its readiness to move beyond subsistence-level commerce and embrace a future driven by innovation, investment, and inclusive growth. It is, without doubt, a bold step toward realizing the state’s full economic potential.
