In the title compound, [Co(C(6)H(4)NO(2))(3)], the Co(III) ion lies on a threefold rotation axis and is in a distorted octa-hedral environment defined by three N and three O donor atoms from three fac-disposed pyridine-2-carboxyl-ate ligands. The ligands are coordinated in a chelate fashion, forming three five-membered rings. In the crystal, translationally related complex molecules are organized into columns along [001] via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.