The Kogi State government has pledged to work closely with the Nigerian government to speed up oil exploration efforts in the state.
Governor Usman Ododo expressed this commitment during a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, held in Abuja on Thursday.
Governor Ododo stated that the partnership with the Nigerian government would boost investments in oil exploration within Kogi, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to develop Nigeria’s frontier basins.
Ododo assured the minister that his administration is ready to provide a conducive environment for investors and their projects.
Senator Lokpobiri confirmed that Kogi is officially recognised as an oil-producing state, affirming the federal government’s intent to attract investments to explore the state’s large oil deposits.
He said the Petroleum Industry Act mandates the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to explore frontier basins, adding that the government would commit resources to support further discoveries and exploration.
The minister praised Governor Ododo for his efforts in promoting effective governance and development in Kogi State.
Kogi achieved the status of an oil-producing state in 2022, becoming the first Northern Nigerian state to reach this milestone after the federal government confirmed the presence of oil in commercial quantities.