Ododo
By Tosin Ogunrinde
The Federal Government’s recent pledge that Kogi State will finally receive its full share of the 13 percent derivation fund feels like the culmination of years of lobbying and paperwork. After the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) officially recognized Kogi as an oil‑producing state back in 2021, the state began to see the first trickle of the money in October 2022, a fact that was even noted by the Senate in early 2024 when they affirmed Kogi’s status as a derivation beneficiary .
The breakthrough came last week when RMAFC Chairman Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu hosted Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and a high‑level delegation in Abuja. In a warm, interactive session, Dr Shehu assured the governor that the commission would do everything within its legal remit to ensure Kogi gets every kobo due from oil, gas and solid‑mineral revenues ². He emphasized that accurate data is the backbone of a fair allocation, and promised the commission’s full technical support to help Kogi set up mineral buying centres that will capture every transaction.
Governor Ododo, for his part, expressed frustration that despite Kogi’s abundant natural wealth—crude oil discoveries in Olamaboro and a suite of solid minerals—the state had yet to see a steady flow of derivation funds. He asked pointed questions about ongoing oil and gas activities and urged the commission to fast‑track the onboarding process. In response, Dr Shehu announced the formation of a joint technical committee that will bring together RMAFC, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Kogi officials to harmonise data, verify production figures and iron out any lingering issues ³. This committee is expected to be the engine that finally translates Kogi’s oil and mineral potential into tangible revenue for schools, roads and health services.
The meeting also featured contributions from other commissioners who underlined the constitutional importance of the 13 percent derivation principle. Federal Commissioner for Kebbi State, Barr Rakiya Tanko Ayuba‑Haruna, stressed that the constitution treats this allocation with the utmost seriousness and that proper data collection is essential for every state to receive its rightful share .
Likewise, Hon (Amb.) Desmond Akawor of Rivers State advised Kogi to study the post‑Petroleum Industry Act frameworks so it can navigate contractual rights smoothly ². These voices from across the commission reinforced the message that Kogi’s case is not an isolated request but part of a broader commitment to fiscal federalism and equitable revenue distribution.
All in all, the government’s assurance is more than just a polite promise; it’s backed by a concrete plan involving data sharing, joint committees and ongoing dialogue between RMAFC and Kogi’s leadership. If the commission follows through on its pledges, Kogi should start seeing regular, predictable deposits from the derivation fund, turning its natural resources into real development for its people .
