Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to construct what is set to become Nigeria’s largest industrial and free trade zone in Olokola, Ondo State, a project that will feature dedicated power generation, gas infrastructure and logistics facilities designed to eliminate the bottlenecks that have long constrained industrial growth across the country. The President of Dangote Group made the disclosure on Monday, June 15, 2026, during a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa at his office in Akure, where he outlined a renewed investment framework covering power generation, cement production, gas infrastructure and industrial manufacturing.
According to Dangote, the proposed Olokola project will go beyond a conventional free trade zone, transforming into a power‑driven investment hub where manufacturers can simply “plug in” and operate without the delays associated with unreliable utilities. “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 told the governor. He emphasised that the initiative directly tackles Nigeria’s three‑decade power deficit, which he described as the country’s biggest industrial constraint. “Most manufacturers currently rely on self‑generated electricity. The new model will integrate dedicated energy supply into the zone, plus gas infrastructure through an east‑west gas corridor to support energy‑intensive industries,” he said.
Dangote revealed that the group had previously attempted to develop investments in Olokola but faced operational challenges, forcing a concentration of projects in Lagos. He, however, noted that renewed engagement with the Ondo State Government reflects improved conditions and stronger collaboration prospects. According to him, contractors are expected to mobilise to the site within three to four months, with full‑scale construction scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The project structure will include government participation, and Dangote requested the nomination of a state representative to the board of the industrial zone to facilitate coordination and execution. He added that the initiative would stimulate large‑scale job creation and industrial expansion across Ondo State and surrounding regions, noting that similar projects in Lagos had delivered significant employment and export revenues.
Welcoming the investment, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the development as a major milestone in Ondo State’s industrialisation agenda. He noted that the project aligns with his administration’s efforts to position the state as a leading industrial destination in the South‑West, highlighting its strategic location along the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway corridor. The governor also pointed to the state’s deep seaport licence, describing it as a key logistics advantage capable of handling large vessels without transshipment, and disclosed that limestone deposits in the state have been tested and found suitable for industrial use, signalling potential for cement production expansion. Aiyedatiwa confirmed that a technical committee had been established to engage with the Dangote Group on legal, land, community and operational frameworks, while the state is ready to nominate a representative to the project board. He assured full government backing for the initiative, stressing that Ondo State would work closely with investors and host communities to ensure smooth implementation and long‑term sustainability.
The Olokola Free Trade Zone, located in Ilaje Local Government Area, has been a subject of renewed interest following the revival of the deep‑seaport project in the area. The Dangote Group’s commitment to the zone signals a major vote of confidence in Ondo State’s economic potential and could catalyse a new wave of industrial activity across the South‑West. For the people of Ondo, the announcement carries the promise of thousands of jobs, improved infrastructure and a stake in Nigeria’s industrial future. As contractors prepare to move to site in the coming months, the project holds the potential to reshape the state’s economy and spread industrial growth beyond the commercial capital, Lagos.
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