By Ayomide Otitoju
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed plans to establish a large-scale industrial and free trade zone at Olokola in Ondo State, describing it as a power-driven investment hub designed to attract manufacturers and ease infrastructure challenges for investors.
Dangote made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa at the Governor’s Office in Akure, where he outlined renewed investment plans spanning power generation, cement production, gas infrastructure, and industrial manufacturing.
He was accompanied by the Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Olakunle Alake, and the Managing Director, Logistics and Infrastructure, Capt. Jamil Abubakar.
According to him, the proposed Olokola project would go beyond a conventional free trade zone, as it would be fully integrated with power, water, and logistics infrastructure to enable seamless industrial operations.
“We want to create the biggest free trade zone where investors can just come and plug in. We will generate power, provide infrastructure, and remove the bottlenecks around doing business,” Dangote said.
He noted that Nigeria’s persistent power deficit has remained a major constraint to industrial growth for over three decades, adding that most manufacturers are forced to rely on self-generated electricity.
Dangote explained that the new model would incorporate dedicated energy supply systems within the industrial zone, while also integrating gas infrastructure through an east-west gas corridor to support energy-intensive industries.
He disclosed that the group had previously considered investments in Olokola but shifted focus to Lagos due to operational challenges at the time, adding that improved conditions have now revived interest in the project.
According to him, contractors are expected to mobilise to the site within three to four months, with full construction slated to commence in the last quarter of the year.
Dangote also proposed a governance structure that would include government participation, requesting the nomination of a state representative to the project board to enhance coordination and execution.
He said the initiative would drive job creation, industrial expansion, and export growth across Ondo State and the wider region.
Responding, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa welcomed the investment plan, describing it as a significant boost to the state’s industrialisation drive.
He said the project aligns with his administration’s goal of positioning Ondo State as a key industrial hub in the South-West, noting its strategic location along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor.
The Governor also highlighted the state’s deep seaport licence, describing it as a major logistics advantage capable of accommodating large vessels without transshipment.
He disclosed that limestone deposits in the state had been tested and found suitable for industrial use, presenting opportunities for expanded cement production.
Aiyedatiwa said a technical committee had been set up to engage Dangote Group on legal, land, community, and operational frameworks, while confirming the state’s readiness to nominate a representative to the project board.
He assured full government support for the initiative and pledged collaboration with investors and host communities to ensure smooth implementation and long-term sustainability.
Dignitaries present at the meeting included Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioner for Finance, Omowunmi Isaac; Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Johnson Alabi; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Pastor Bola Ademuwagun; Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tob Loko; Special Adviser on Special Duties, Com. Gani Mohammed; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Barr. Emmanuel Omomowo.
