By joshua 
How Engineer Abubakar Bashir Gegu Built Kogi’s Solid Minerals Sector from the Ground Up
When Kogi State created the Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources in 2019, Governor Yahaya Bello handed the portfolio to a 36-year-old engineer with a reputation for patience, loyalty, and hands-on knowledge of the sector. That appointment made Hon. Engr. Abubakar Bashir Gegu the first Commissioner for Solid Mineral and Natural Resources in the state’s history.
Gegu’s rise reflects a career built on technical grounding and grassroots understanding of Kogi’s resource landscape. Born and raised in Kogi, he entered office at a time when the state’s mineral wealth was largely untapped and unregulated, despite sitting on vast deposits of limestone, iron ore, coal, gold, and other solid minerals. His mandate was clear: formalize the sector, curb illegal mining, attract legitimate investors, and ensure host communities benefited directly.
Since 2019, Gegu has led the ministry through its formative years, focusing on establishing systems to register miners, verify licenses, and align state operations with federal mining laws. He has also pushed for Community Development Agreements to ensure mining revenues translate into roads, schools, and health facilities in host communities, while positioning Kogi as a mining destination for both local and foreign investors. The state’s proximity to Abuja and its central location have been key advantages in this drive.
Kogi is one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich states, with 21 local government areas and a population boosted by its border with the FCT. The state’s solid and liquid mineral deposits, combined with its human capital, give it potential to become a key player in Nigeria’s diversification drive away from oil. Under Gegu’s watch, the ministry has become the first point of contact for investors and a reference point for other states looking to structure their own solid minerals governance.
Gegu’s appointment came shortly after Kogi’s creation from the old Kwara and Benue states, making him the first to occupy the role in the state’s post-restructuring era. His tenure is now seen as a test case for whether Nigeria’s subnational governments can manage resources transparently and turn mineral wealth into measurable development. As Kogi pushes to increase its internally generated revenue and reduce reliance on federal allocation, the Solid Minerals Ministry under Gegu is expected to play a central role.