The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday paid tribute to former Kogi State governor Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who died in a London hospital in September at the age of 77.
Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho (Kogi East), who moved a motion of urgent national importance, informed the upper chamber of Idris’s death and urged colleagues to mark his contribution to business and public service. Echocho described Idris as a prominent political figure who had begun his career in the Peoples Democratic Party before later changing his political affiliation.
Idris, born on April 6, 1949, in Idah, Kogi State, spent part of his childhood in Onitsha and completed his primary education in Kano. He attended Prince Commercial College in Buguma, Rivers State, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Abuja.
Before entering politics, Idris built a successful business portfolio under the Ibro brand. Through Ibro Trading Company he expanded into construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality. His ventures included the Ibrahim Furniture Factory in Sokoto—described by supporters as the largest furniture factory in the then old Sokoto State—and Ibro Hotel, widely regarded as one of the first three-star hotels in the region.
Idris was elected governor of Kogi State in 2003 and served from May 29, 2003, to January 6, 2012, making him the longest-serving elected civilian governor in the state’s history. Lawmakers highlighted infrastructural projects commissioned during his administration, particularly in Lokoja: construction of housing units for civil servants, new classrooms for primary and secondary schools, the Lokoja International Market, a state specialist hospital, and expansion of the Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, which reportedly improved water supply in the state.
Echocho asked the Senate to observe a minute’s silence and to send a delegation to the former governor’s family in Abuja to convey the Senate’s condolences.
Several senators paid personal tributes. Senator Aminu Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, recalled Idris’s early years in the timber and hotel trades and noted the late governor’s longstanding ties to Sokoto, including an honorary title conferred by the Sultan. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) praised Idris’s commitment to workers’ welfare, recounting a meeting with Idris during which the governor defended his decision to pay a minimum wage.
Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) and Abba Moro (Benue South) also lauded Idris’s contributions and offered prayers for his repose.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio led the chamber in a minute’s silence in honour of the late governor.
Idris was buried at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja in a state burial attended by senior political figures, including Kogi Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, former governors Yahaya Bello and Idris Wada, among others. Lawmakers described his death as a significant loss to his family, Kogi State and the nation.
