Born in the 1960s in Okene, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is a leader whose governance style is deeply rooted in professional prudence. A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Accountants, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an MBA from the University of Lagos.
Before ascending to the governorship in January 2024, Ododo served as the Auditor-General for Local Governments. There, he was the architect of financial reforms that blocked leakages and enhanced the fiscal performance of local councils. This background has proven vital to his success as Governor; in just 15 months, his administration has fully liquidated N98.8 billion in inherited debts—including salary bailouts and infrastructure loans—while simultaneously turning the state into a construction site.
This audacious fiscal management has earned global validation: Fitch Ratings recently upgraded Kogi State’s credit rating from ‘B-’ to ‘B’ with a stable outlook, citing the administration’s prudent financial management and a sustainable debt profile of N40.5 billion.
The infrastructure revolution: A State connected
Governor Ododo’s infrastructure agenda is aggressive and all-encompassing. Under his Project Zero Potholes and rural connectivity drive, he has mandated the construction of at least 10 kilometers of township roads in each of the 21 Local Government Areas.
Major interventions include the 12.5km Unosi–Odonto–Ogigiri road (Kogi Central), the rehabilitation of the Egbe and Aiyetoro township roads (Kogi West), and the construction of the Idah and Anyigba township roads (Kogi East).
To decongest the capital and improve safety, the Governor has handed over a 25-hectare site at Crusher, Lokoja, for the construction of the Lokoja Ultra-Modern Market. This 36-month project will replace the old International Market which will be converted into a Government Warehouse and Commodity Exchange thereby ending the era of fatal accidents caused by roadside trading.
Moving beyond basic infrastructure, Governor Ododo is building the engines of a productive economy. In a landmark diplomatic shuttle to China, he secured a strategic partnership with Hunan Province a Chinese economic powerhouse with a GDP exceeding N1 trillion. This partnership is set to birth the Ajaokuta Industrial Park, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) designed to leverage Kogi’s vast solid mineral and agricultural resources. By aligning with Hunan, the fourth-largest steel producer in China, Governor Ododo is positioning Kogi as the industrial hub of North Central Nigeria, with anchor investors already expressing strong interest.
The Governor’s definition of infrastructure extends to human capital and environmental sustainability. Construction works hwve been completed and are nearing completion at state-owned tertiary institutions. He has also commissioned the revitalization of 80 Primary Health Care centres and initiated massive upgrades at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital.
Despite these high-level achievements, Governor Ododo remains grounded. He describes himself as the Chief Servant, actively promoting local content by directing officials to wear Made-in-Kogi fabrics to boost the local textile economy. His administration is characterized by inclusivity, ensuring that development reaches the grassroots through rural electrification projects and direct engagement.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has proven that with fiscal discipline, political will, and strategic partnerships, governance can be transformative. By clearing debts while simultaneously launching multi-billion Naira projects in roads, industrial parks, and urban renewal, he has distinguished himself as the NewsDirect Governor of the Year on Infrastructural Development. In Kogi state, Ododo is not just building roads, he is building a prosperous future for the state.
