By Peace Udugba
Ahead of the planned takeoff of the Olokola Deep Seaport Project, a high-powered delegation from the Dangote Group, led by the Managing Director, Infrastructure & Logistics, Capt. Jamil Abubakar, has visited host communities in the proposed project area within the Olokola Free Zone in Ogun and Ondo States to engage stakeholders and sensitize them on the project.
The Olokola Deep Seaport is a key component of the Dangote Group’s broader plan to strengthen Africa’s maritime trade capacity through a modern deep-sea port aimed at enhancing regional commerce and logistics across the continent. The project aligns with the Group’s Vision 2030 strategy, which targets an annual revenue of $100 billion by 2030 and is expected to significantly contribute to Africa’s economic development.
The Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) covers an industrial enclave of over 10,000 hectares along the Atlantic coast, straddling Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State and Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, less than 100 kilometres east of Lagos along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
During the visit, the Dangote delegation engaged several host communities, including Ode-Omi in Ogun State and Araromi Seaside Kingdom and Igbokoda in Ondo State, as part of ongoing consultations ahead of project commencement.
The delegation, which included senior officials, land surveyors, and environmental consultants, was received at Ode-Omi by the Lenuwa of Ode-Omi, Oba Folailu Adekunle Hassan (Oshotekun II), alongside chiefs, Baales, and youth leaders. The monarch welcomed the project and granted approval for the commencement of survey and preliminary site activities, including enumeration of households, economic trees, and compensation processes for affected settlements.
Capt. Abubakar also led the team to Araromi Seaside Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area, where they were received by the Alara of Araromi Seaside Kingdom, HRM Oba Adeoloye Olawole, and his council of chiefs. The traditional ruler expressed strong support for the project, describing the community’s readiness to cooperate fully with the Dangote Group.
Speaking on the initiative, Capt. Abubakar described the Olokola Deep Seaport as a transformative infrastructure project that will unlock Nigeria’s economic potential, ease pressure on existing ports, and stimulate industrial growth.
He said the project would create jobs, promote business opportunities, and enhance long-term development across Ogun and Ondo States, while positioning Olokola as a major gateway for imports and exports.
The delegation also visited the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, where they were received by the Base Operations Officer/Acting Commanding Officer, Lt. Commander A.A. Makinwa, who pledged cooperation in the interest of national economic development.
A major outcome of the visit was the endorsement by traditional rulers, allowing the Dangote Group to proceed with survey and enumeration activities ahead of project execution. The initiative is expected to drive job creation, attract investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in regional and global trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA
L-R:Leader of the delegation/ Managing Director, Infrastructure & Logistics, Dangote Industries Limited, Capt. Jamil Abubakar and the Alara of Araromi Seaside Kingdom, HRM Oba Adeoloye Olawole during a community engagement visit of the Dangote team to the palace of the monarch in Araromi, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State…recently.
