It has sometimes been said that Nigerian politics is a zero-sum game dominated by vehement rivalries, ingrained interests, and ethnic divisions.
But under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s direction, a fresh story is taking shape in Kogi State.
Ododo has shown that politics can be about performance, inclusivity, and reconciliation in his less than two years in government.
He has blended political acumen with grassroots development, vision and humility, symbolic reconciliation with tangible projects.
His ascent to power was not without controversy. The governorship election on November 11, 2023, was fiercely contested, with many people worried that Kogi will revert to the perilous course of political animosity and ethnic polarization. However, the tone for a different course—one based on harmony, equity, and progress—was established by Ododo’s inaugural address. A Request for Cooperation Governor Ododo made a conciliatory and aspirational statement during his inauguration on January 27, 2024.
“We have chosen unity over disunity, greatness over minor grievances, and peace over dangerous acts of recriminations and tired dogmas of ethnic jingoism,” he said, despite the electoral tempest that threatened to turn brothers and sisters against one another. Since then, Kogi has used the remark as a benchmark in his political discourse. In contrast to the past, when elections frequently widened rifts, it represented a change.
Ododo made an effort to win over opposition lawmakers by promising that his government will represent all Kogites, irrespective of their religious beliefs, political affiliation, or tribe. “Fellow Kogites, I swear to you all that I will be the governor of Kogi State, not an ethnic governor,” he declared sharply. This all-encompassing ideology is now commonly referred to as the “Ododo Political Magic.” It is a way of life that emphasizes humility, shared responsibility, and establishing bridges.
First Anniversary: A Sign of Peacemaking Ododo’s reconciliatory politics were perhaps best displayed in January 2025, around his first anniversary. Rather than holding self-congratulatory events, he organized a wide-ranging discussion that included Kogites from various backgrounds, as well as political figures, traditional leaders, women’s associations, youth organizations, civil society, the business world, and even opposition members. In attendance were the majority of people who ran against both himself and his predecessor.
They were persuaded to believe in the larger picture of a more powerful Kogi State by his dignity and humility. This meeting was a symbolically authentic attempt to discuss the state’s future, regardless of political or ethnic divisions.
Ododo reminded attendees in his concluding remarks that governance is a relay race, saying, “The baton is passed from one administration to another, but the ultimate goal remains the same, which is progress.” Your contribution is essential to the realization of a larger Kogi State, regardless of your background—public servant, business investor, traditional leader, or concerned citizen. This focus on shared accountability is a reflection of his profound awareness that Kogi’s diversity is a strength that can be used to advance the community rather than a limitation. However, Ododo’s magic is not limited to speech; it is a Governor of the Grassroots.
People-centered development, which is popular at the grassroots level, is the direction his administration has taken. In contrast to many leaders who prioritize urban infrastructure, he has made a conscious investment in the fundamental areas that affect the lives of common people. Developing Health Systems Enhancing the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme to make it more affordable for low-income households was one of his first initiatives. More Kogites now have access to reasonably priced healthcare thanks to efforts to increase coverage and lower costs for disadvantaged populations.
Significant emphasis has also been paid to the Primary Healthcare Delivery System. Existing centers have been restored, and new ones have been built in remote areas. The need for communities to travel far for medical care has decreased as a result of the recruitment of health personnel and the supply of necessary medications. Rural Roads and Facilities Another goal has been accessibility in rural areas. Ododo is aware that the foundation of Kogi’s economy, agriculture, rests on well-maintained rural roads. A large-scale initiative to repair feeder roads that connect farming areas to markets has been started by his government. The state economy is becoming more integrated with previously remote areas thanks to these highways, which are also enhancing trade.
Education and the Development of Youth Ododo has demonstrated his dedication to education by renovating deteriorating school buildings, supplying educational resources, and constructing new buildings that align with his goal of building on the achievements of the recent past.
His administration has also started programs to prepare Kogi’s youth for a competitive future by incorporating digital learning into the classroom. In order to give young people real-world experience in ICT, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, vocational training centers have also been built.
He believes that the best way to combat unemployment and instability is to empower young people. A Revolution in Agriculture Agricultural development is the foundation of Ododo’s plan. He has advanced the agricultural platforms that his predecessor had established and given them new life.
The proposed 245-hectare Agro-Industrial Processing Zone near Ajaokuta is part of Kogi’s efforts to establish itself as an agro-industrial center.
The state lost $50 million worth of cashew without value addition in 2024 alone. By ensuring that processing industries are developed in Kogi, Ododo has pledged to reverse that and give farmers a higher price for their produce. During the anniversary forum, he stated: “This is extremely unjust to our farmers who work hard to increase production.” We will work together to give Kogi State a better, more prosperous future. Economic Transformation Big-Ticket Projects Ododo is not afraid to take on ambitious projects that have the potential to change the economy.
The previous international market, whose site is no longer suitable, is already being replaced by a new one. “This market will redefine the commercial landscape of Kogi State, creating a hub of economic activities that will serve as a benchmark for other regions,” he has pledged. Project progress is steady.
Kogi’s rich natural resources, which include steel, solid minerals, tourism, and the blue economy, are also being effectively utilized. Assuring private investors of a secure and welcoming investment environment, his administration has strengthened its ties with them.
Additionally, the governor has vigorously promoted Kogi’s inclusion in Nigeria’s food security strategy. He is slowly realizing his dream of all-season farming thanks to the abundance of water and arable land. “We have to eat what we produce, produce what others eat, and produce what we eat,” he stated in his inauguration address. Kogi State’s farmer population has been somewhat upended by ACReSAL and other agricultural initiatives. A new generation of farmers has emerged to transform the sector, from Lokoja to Ibaji and from Odo Ere to Obangede.
Humility as Political Capital: Ododo stands out for both his personal style and his policy decisions. In addition to being friendly and modest, he frequently calls himself the “Chief Servant of Kogi State.” Because of his humility, he has been able to work with erstwhile opponents more easily, softening the political environment. Instead of portraying himself as a “strongman,” he positions himself as a bridge builder.
He recognized the efforts of previous leaders in his inauguration speech, notably Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Captain Idris Wada, two former governors from opposing parties. He even praised Prince Abubakar Audu, who passed away, as the founder of contemporary Kogi politics. He made a strong statement by doing this: leadership is a journey rather than a battleground.
Politics Without Bitterness: Ododo has reinvented political engagement in a regime that frequently views opposition as an adversary. He encourages dissenting opinions, emphasizing that “this government is for all of you.”
During the first quarter of 2025, our staff spent some time learning about the Ododo Political Ideology in preparation for the Awards. He thinks that communication trumps resentment. He thinks anything can be accomplished via discourse. Building on a Strong Foundation Ododo has stated time and time again that it is not an easy undertaking to continue an administration that was “hugely successful” like Yahaya Bello’s. However, he maintains that Bello prepared the ground, cultivated it, and sowed seeds, and that his job is to see those seeds grow.
The tendency to disparage previous administrations stands in stark contrast to his humility in acknowledging the work of his predecessor. Kogi has been able to maintain momentum in governance because Ododo has saved Kogi valuable time and resources by constructing rather than breaking.
The outlines of Ododo’s legacy are already apparent, despite his leadership being relatively new. He is changing the definition of governance to be one of service rather than entitlement and politics to be one of reconciliation rather than recrimination.
He is receiving recognition for his emphasis on inclusive politics, economic transformation, and grassroots development—even from unexpected places. “As a state, we will be judged by our actions, not by the promises we make,” he once said to Kogites. His initiatives in the areas of healthcare reform, rural infrastructure, education, agro-industrial planning, investment push, and reconciliatory politics have so far been more effective than his words.
Kogi’s political climate has evolved. A combination of performance, inclusivity, and humility, the “Ododo Political Magic” is real. It is the tale of a guy who decided to rule with justice, faith, and peace.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is not only leading Kogi; he is also changing the definition of politics in the state as it proceeds along this path.
