By joshua “NO VACANCY IN ASO ROCK, LUGARD HOUSE”: HOW ENGR. BASHIRU GEGU’S LOYALTY IS FUELING KOGI’S MINING RESURGENCE
By Our Reporter
Ask Engr. Bashiru Gegu the same question at midnight or midday and you’ll get the same answer: “There is no vacancy in Aso Rock and Lugard House.”
The Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources makes no apologies for his political stance. He describes himself as a committed supporter of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello, saying their leadership shares a common goal: to reposition Kogi for growth.
“I stood with the former governor till the end, and I will continue to stand with what I call ‘the supreme leader,’” Gegu said. “For me, loyalty is not negotiable when it is tied to progress.” He insists that same principle is now paying off in Kogi’s solid minerals sector.
When Gegu took over the Ministry, it was largely inactive. Today, it is one of the state’s fastest-growing revenue arms. The turnaround, he says, is the result of technical reforms, new equipment, and strategic partnerships.
First, the ministry launched a full mineral characterization and reserve estimation exercise in partnership with the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, NGSA. The project is mapping the types, quality and economic potential of minerals across Kogi. The goal: give investors hard data and build confidence for structured, large-scale mining.
Second, the state doubled its mineral titles from 15 to 30, covering all 21 local government areas. Officials say the expansion is designed to widen Kogi’s revenue base and cut reliance on federal allocations.
Third, the ministry invested in capacity. It has acquired modern excavators, loaders and dump trucks to upgrade operations and compete with private mining companies.
The impact is already visible. The ministry projects higher internally generated revenue, new jobs across mining communities, and a stronger push toward industrialization. Investor interest is rising, and the sector is being positioned as one of Kogi’s main economic drivers.
Governor Ododo has thrown his weight behind the effort, repeatedly stressing that Kogi’s natural resources must translate to prosperity for the people. “There’s no reason for Kogi to be poor,” the governor has said, describing the state’s mineral wealth as an untapped engine for growth.
For Gegu, the results reflect “opportunity meeting preparation.” He credits the governor’s political will for giving the ministry room to act decisively.
Within APC circles, Gegu is known as a loyalist who does not change direction with the wind. His political relevance in Kogi, allies say, is built on two things: consistent delivery and a refusal to abandon the leaders who mentored him.
In a state where mineral deposits have sat idle for years, his tenure is now being cited as evidence that the right leadership can turn policy into real economic gains.
As mining activity ramps up and new titles come on stream, Gegu’s message remains unchanged: back the leadership in Aso Rock and Lugard House, and let Kogi’s resources work for Kogi’s people.