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The Kogi State Government has renewed its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships that drive industrial growth, business development, and inclusive economic progress across the state. The pledge was made by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, during Day Two of the Sustainability Commemoration Week organised by Dangote Cement Transport at the Dangote Cement Drivers’ Training School in Obajana.

Represented by Mr. Oluwatimilehin Anthony Joash, the Commissioner said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remains determined to ensure that the state consistently engages in collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to long-term productivity and enterprise expansion.

The Street Reporters Newspaper reports that the event, themed “Sustainable Partnership: A Catalyst for Business Growth”, attracted industry experts, educationists, business leaders, and community influencers who came together to explore innovative approaches to advance social and economic development.

Delivering his guest lecture, Hon. Shuaibu stated that partnership-driven development aligns strongly with the mandate of the Ministry, which is responsible for overseeing commercial and industrial activities across the state. He maintained that the Ododo administration is focused on sustaining a conducive business environment that supports both small and large-scale enterprises through collaboration, innovative practices, and shared value systems.

The Commissioner stressed that in today’s highly competitive global economy, no business entity can survive or grow in isolation, adding that collaboration remains central to sustainability and long-term success.

He explained that partnerships must be based on fairness, agreement, and equity—without one party exploiting the other—emphasising that “a partnership that benefits only one side cannot last or yield growth.”

Hon. Shuaibu identified three pillars of sustainable partnerships: economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental consciousness.

According to him, economic viability ensures each party has the capacity and resources to meaningfully contribute to the relationship; social responsibility ensures alignment with community needs; while environmental consciousness ensures that enterprises operate in terrains suitable for their business models.

He noted that sustainable partnerships demand trust, accountability, transparency, and clearly defined shared goals. He warned that partnerships without these principles are bound to fail.

Using local examples, the Commissioner highlighted how cashew farmers in Kogi State can jointly mobilise resources to meet export requirements, illustrating how cooperative structures reduce risks and enhance market opportunities. He also referenced other models such as public-private partnerships (PPP), business-to-business collaborations, community-business alliances, and international partnerships for technology transfer and export facilitation.

Hon. Shuaibu noted that government institutions play a critical role in enabling sustainable partnerships through friendly policies, improved access to financing, and development of supporting infrastructure. He referenced the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), which domesticates the Federal PEBEC framework in Kogi State, adding that such reforms have already resolved key business challenges including tariff disputes with telecommunications operators.

During the interactive session, participants raised concerns around youth empowerment, skill acquisition, and integrating practical entrepreneurship into basic school curriculums. Responding, the Commissioner encouraged parents to expose their children to vocational skills during holidays rather than relying solely on academic lessons. He assured the audience that the suggestions and recommendations made during the session would be forwarded to relevant Ministries and government agencies for further action.

A representative from Dangote’s Sustainability Team also explained ongoing community empowerment programmes, citing beneficiaries from local communities who have been trained in specialised fields such as welding, mechanical repairs, and electrical maintenance.

The event also featured school recognition awards presented by Taiye Bayode to schools from host communities. Golden Vessel Academy, Best Elite Standard International School, and Excellent Future Leaders International Academy emerged among the award recipients, with Excellent Future Leaders International Academy earning the top position in the quiz competition.

In conclusion, Hon. Shuaibu reaffirmed that the Ododo-led administration will remain committed to policies that promote industrial expansion, entrepreneurship development, and lasting partnerships that create long-term value for the people of Kogi State.

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