Dangote Set To Establish Major Project In Ondo State

According to Ireporter Online, the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has reiterated plans to establish a large-scale industrial and free trade zone in Olokola, Ondo State, in what he described as a transformative investment designed to reposition the state as a major industrial hub. Dangote made the remarks on Monday during a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the Governor’s Office in Akure, accompanied by senior executives of Dangote Industries Limited. He explained that the proposed project would function as a fully integrated industrial ecosystem covering power generation, cement production, gas infrastructure, logistics, and manufacturing, with the aim of eliminating the infrastructural bottlenecks that typically hinder business operations in Nigeria. According to him, the initiative would go beyond a standard free trade zone by providing dedicated electricity, water, and transport infrastructure to ensure investors can commence operations seamlessly upon arrival.

He further noted that the lack of reliable electricity supply has remained one of the most persistent challenges confronting industrial growth in Nigeria for over three decades, forcing manufacturers to depend heavily on self-generated power and significantly increasing production costs. Dangote said the Olokola project would adopt a new model in which energy supply is built into the foundation of the industrial zone, while also incorporating a gas pipeline corridor to support energy-intensive industries. He revealed that contractors are expected to mobilise to the site within three to four months, with full construction slated to begin in the last quarter of the year. The industrialist also disclosed that the project would include government representation on its board to ensure effective coordination, adding that the initiative is expected to generate large-scale employment and stimulate economic activity across Ondo State and surrounding regions.

Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomed the investment proposal, describing it as a significant milestone in the state’s industrialisation drive. He said the project aligns with his administration’s vision of positioning Ondo State as a leading industrial destination in the South-West, noting that its strategic location along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor, combined with its deep seaport licence, gives it a strong logistics advantage. The governor also disclosed that limestone deposits in the state have been confirmed suitable for industrial use, further boosting prospects for cement production expansion. He added that a technical committee has already been set up to engage with the Dangote Group on land, legal, community, and operational issues, while assuring full government backing and cooperation to ensure smooth and sustainable implementation of the project.