Faith Nyasuguta
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced plans to build Nigeria’s largest seaport at the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) in Ogun State. The announcement came on Monday during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Dangote revealed that the Olokola project had previously been abandoned but is now being revived due to the governor’s investor-friendly policies. “We earlier abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, but because of Governor Abiodun’s policies and the state’s welcoming environment, we are back. Plans are underway to construct the largest port in the country,” Dangote said.
In addition to the seaport, Dangote announced the resumption of construction on a massive cement factory in Itori, located in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. The new facility will have a production capacity of six million metric tons per annum and is expected to be completed by November 2026.
Dangote expressed disappointment that the $800 million Itori cement factory had faced delays due to opposition from former Governor Ibikunle Amosun. However, with construction now back on track, the new plant will expand Ogun State’s role as Nigeria’s cement production hub. Currently, the state is home to the 12-million-metric-ton-per-annum Dangote Cement Plant in Ibese.
Once the Itori project is completed, Ogun’s total production capacity will reach 18 million metric tons per annum, making it Africa’s largest cement-producing region.
Driving Nigeria’s Self-Sufficiency
Dangote highlighted the broader impact of his company’s investments in Nigeria, emphasizing that the country is now self-sufficient in cement production, no longer relying on imports. In fact, Nigeria has become a cement-exporting nation, contributing to economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.
He pointed out that similar strides have been made in the fertilizer industry. Dangote Group’s investments have not only satisfied local demand but also positioned Nigeria as a major fertilizer exporter. This shift has strengthened the country’s agricultural sector while boosting foreign exchange reserves.
Additionally, Dangote referenced the success of his 650,000-barrel-per-day petroleum refinery, which recently began exporting refined crude products and has played a crucial role in lowering fuel prices domestically.
With these ambitious projects, Dangote Group continues to drive Nigeria’s industrial growth, creating jobs, reducing import dependency, and enhancing the nation’s economic resilience. The new seaport and cement factory are expected to solidify Ogun State’s status as a key player in Nigeria’s industrial landscape while boosting the country’s position as a regional economic powerhouse.
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