Ododo Seeks Fairer Revenue Allocation, Says Kogi Has Been Shortchanged Despite Oil, Gas, Solid Minerals
By Friday Joseph
Government House, Lokoja
July 9, 2026
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has called for a fairer share of Nigeria's revenue allocation, insisting that Kogi State has been shortchanged for years despite its enormous contributions as an oil and gas-producing state and its vast deposits of solid minerals.
Governor Ododo made the call on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) at the Government House in Lokoja, where he also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and data-driven governance as critical pillars for securing Kogi State's rightful share of resources from the Federation Account.
The Governor described the Commission's nationwide fiscal verification exercise as a timely and strategic national assignment that will strengthen Nigeria's fiscal federalism, enhance the credibility of the country's revenue-sharing formula and ensure that states receive allocations based on verified developmental indices.
He noted that the exercise, coming after about a decade, would provide credible and verifiable data needed for equitable revenue allocation across the country.
According to him, the Commission's constitutional responsibility of reviewing revenue allocation principles can only be effectively discharged using accurate, comprehensive and reliable data.
Governor Ododo explained that the verification of public primary and secondary schools, healthcare facilities and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) records goes beyond statistics, stressing that it is aimed at promoting fairness, equity and justice in the sharing of national resources.
"Reliable data remains the foundation for evidence-based governance, equitable allocation of resources and sustainable development," the Governor stated.
He added that the Kogi State Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency, accountability and data-driven governance through improved data management systems, institutional reforms, technological innovation and fiscal discipline aimed at enhancing planning, budgeting and public service delivery.
The Governor emphasized that the verification exercise offers Kogi State another opportunity to showcase its developmental progress and secure its equitable share of national resources.
"Our administration believes that accurate data is a powerful tool for development. We are determined to ensure that Kogi State receives every resource due to it through a transparent and credible process. This is why we have mobilised all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as the 21 Local Government Councils to cooperate fully with the Commission," he said.
The Governor directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside the 21 Local Government Councils, to provide the Commission with all necessary documentation, unrestricted access and logistical support to ensure the successful conduct of the verification exercise.
He expressed confidence that the outcome of the nationwide exercise would improve Nigeria's revenue allocation system, deepen fiscal transparency and strengthen confidence among the federating units.
The Governor also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pursuing institutional reforms, fiscal sustainability and economic policies aimed at strengthening Nigeria's economy, saying the initiatives reflect the President's commitment to transparency, accountability and inclusive development.
Governor Ododo urged the Commission to carry out a comprehensive assessment of Kogi State, noting that the state has been denied its rightful place in the country's revenue allocation despite its enormous economic potential.
According to him, Kogi is an oil and gas-producing state whose contributions have yet to be fully recognised under the existing revenue-sharing arrangement.
He further noted that Dekina Local Government Area is one of Africa's leading cashew-producing areas, while Kogi accounts for about 60 per cent of Nigeria's total cashew production.
Highlighting the state's expanding economic profile, the Governor disclosed that the toll gates inaugurated in January now record over 500 trucks daily, reflecting Kogi's growing status as a major commercial and logistics hub.
He added that the state is richly endowed with gold, limestone, iron ore and more than 30 other solid minerals in commercial quantities, making it imperative for the state to receive allocations that truly reflect its strategic contributions to the national economy.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Ogun State and Team Lead of the delegation, Mr. Akeem Amosu, said Kogi was the final stop in the Commission's nationwide verification exercise.
Amosu appreciated Governor Ododo for the warm reception and logistical support extended to the delegation, describing Kogi State as highly organised and adequately prepared for the nationwide verification exercise.
He explained that the Commission is verifying key revenue allocation indices, including public primary and secondary school enrolment, healthcare facilities and Internally Generated Revenue records for the 2022–2025 period, noting that the verified figures would form part of the basis for the horizontal distribution of Federation Account revenue among states and local governments.
He further stated that the exercise, being conducted simultaneously across the country, would provide credible information required to review revenue-sharing indices for states and local governments and ensure fairness in statutory allocations.
Amosu commended Governor Ododo's commitment to transparency and accountability, expressing confidence that Kogi State's preparedness would facilitate a successful verification process.
Also speaking, the RMAFC Federal Commissioner representing Kogi State, Abdulaziz Idris, praised Governor Ododo for extending infrastructure to rural communities, promoting capital development and building an inclusive government.
He noted that all 21 Local Government Vice Chairpersons in Kogi State are women, describing the administration as one that has deliberately created greater opportunities for women and young people to participate in governance.
Idris assured the Governor that the verification exercise would be diligently conducted across all the local government areas of the state.
In his remarks, Prof. Idris Aliyu commended the quality of data provided by the Kogi State Government, describing it as a reflection of the administration's commitment to transparency and accountability.
He expressed optimism that Kogi State's Internally Generated Revenue profile would rank higher after the verification exercise, further strengthening the state's position in future revenue allocation assessments.
Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, said the RMAFC delegation, comprising seven Federal Commissioners, directors and other officials.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reviving the long-overdue review after about a decade and lauded Governor Ododo's leadership style of allowing tangible projects and development to speak for the administration, rather than relying on publicity, while urging the Commission to consider additional development indicators in future revenue allocation reviews.
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