Kogi students rally support for Tinubu, Ododo ahead of 2027

Students from tertiary institutions across Kogi State have declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The students, under the aegis of Jagaban/Ododo Students Mandate 2027, also inaugurated Campus Ambassadors across tertiary institutions in the state as part of efforts to promote civic engagement and student participation in governance.

The initiative is expected to establish a student network across 12 tertiary institutions in Kogi State.

Speaking at the launch, the Coordinator of the Jagaban/Ododo Students Mandate 2027, Kogi State chapter, Usman Ibrahimnyass Dende, said the Campus Ambassadors would engage students on issues including education, youth development, infrastructure, economic policies and other matters affecting young Nigerians.

Dende said the ambassadors would organise intellectual discussions, civic engagement programmes and information-sharing activities to improve students’ understanding of government policies and programmes at the federal and state levels.

He said the initiative would provide students with a platform to understand government programmes, assess their impact, communicate concerns affecting the student community and participate in the democratic process.

Highlighting federal government interventions, Dende cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying more than 1.5 million students had benefited from over N282 billion disbursed under the scheme. NELFUND reported that 1,586,921 students had benefited from N282.2 billion as of May 28, 2026.

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He also mentioned investments through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, road and rail projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural initiatives and ongoing economic reforms.

Dende also cited Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026. The figure was reported by the National Bureau of Statistics and represented an increase from 3.89 per cent recorded in the first quarter.

On developments in Kogi State, Dende commended the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for what he described as continuity and consolidation of development programmes.

He said the state government had maintained about 30 per cent budgetary allocation to education while sustaining free education in public primary and secondary schools, payment of examination fees and scholarship support. The Kogi State Government has previously reported a 30 per cent education allocation and free education and examination-fee policies.

He also highlighted infrastructure development at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and Kogi State University, Kabba, including medical and engineering faculties, hostels, and other facilities.

Dende further said more than 80 primary healthcare centres had been revitalized with equipment, water, and solar power, while the 2026 state budget provides for the renovation of 111 additional PHCs across the three senatorial districts.

On infrastructure, he cited road projects across Kogi East, Kogi West, and Kogi Central, as well as plans for the construction of the Kogi Cargo Airport at Kabba Junction, Lokoja. The state government included an international cargo airport among its major infrastructure plans for 2026.

He said the airport, when completed, would expand opportunities for investment, create jobs, and boost commerce in the state.

The coordinator also cited the ongoing Lokoja International Market project, describing it as a major commercial development capable of strengthening trade and creating opportunities for traders, artisans, and young entrepreneurs.

He added that farmers had benefited from programs such as ACReSAL, while security interventions had also been strengthened, including the commissioning of the Violent Crime Response Unit in Lokoja in June 2026.

Dende acknowledged the contributions of former Governor Yahaya Bello to the development of the state, particularly in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth and women empowerment, saying the current administration was building on the foundations already laid.

Addressing the newly inaugurated Campus Ambassadors, he urged them to be responsible representatives and engage positively with students on their respective campuses.

He charged them to facilitate constructive discussions, communicate government programs objectively, and ensure that students’ concerns were brought to the attention of relevant authorities.

“As we move towards the 2027 general elections, this network will continue its activities across all tertiary institutions in Kogi State,” he said.

The event was attended by the Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe; Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Students Matters, Hon. Oladele John Nihi; and Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Students Affairs led by Hon. Emmanuel Ojodunwene Mario, student leaders and members of the press.