Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has announced a three-year waiver on selected state levies for businesses, in a move aimed at encouraging investment, supporting industrial expansion and creating employment opportunities.
Ododo announced the measure on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during the commissioning of the Confluence Lube lubricant blending and packaging factory established by Godec Power Nigeria Limited along the Ganaja-Ajaokuta Expressway in Kogi State.
The governor said his administration was committed to creating an environment in which private businesses could expand, invest in local production and generate jobs for residents.
The announcement forms part of the state’s broader effort to attract investors and strengthen industrial activity beyond government employment.
Levies covered by the waiver
According to the state government’s announcement, the three-year waiver covers selected annual charges, including:
- Land Use Charge.
- Environmental Levy.
- Business Premises Annual Renewal.
- Fire Service Levy.
- Economic Development Levy.
The relief is intended to reduce some of the financial obligations businesses face when operating in the state.
However, the announcement concerns selected state levies and should not be interpreted as a blanket exemption from all taxes, statutory charges or federal obligations.
The practical effect will depend on the implementation arrangements and the eligibility criteria applied to businesses seeking to benefit from the waiver.
Confluence Lube factory commissioned
The governor announced the measure while inaugurating the new industrial facility, which produces lubricants for petrol and diesel engines, transmission oils and plastic containers.
The company’s chairman and managing director, Chief Okechukwu Obika, said the investment had already generated direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Figures provided by the company indicated that the facility had created about 100 direct jobs and more than 200 indirect jobs. The company also projected that employment could increase as production expands towards full capacity.
The factory represents an investment in local manufacturing and processing, activities that can help create employment while reducing dependence on imported finished products.
Ododo praised the company for committing capital to production in the state and said the government would continue to support businesses willing to invest in the local economy.
Investment drive and economic reform
The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for policies he said were helping create opportunities for industrialisation and private-sector investment.
His remarks reflect the administration’s position that economic reforms and improved conditions for businesses can encourage more domestic production.
For investors, however, the attractiveness of a location depends on more than tax relief. Reliable electricity, transportation infrastructure, access to finance, predictable regulations and security also influence business decisions.
The success of Kogi’s initiative will therefore depend on whether the levy waiver is implemented consistently and accompanied by conditions that enable companies to operate sustainably.
The government will also need to assess how the relief affects investment, employment and state revenue over the three-year period.