The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has revealed that a former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, demolished his proposed cement plant in the Itori area of the state on two occasions.
However, the renowned businessman and philanthropist did not disclose the reasons behind Amosun’s actions.
In a viral video posted on social media on Monday, Dangote made this revelation in the presence of the incumbent governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, whom he praised for reviving the project.
“I think it is important to have it on record that the (cement) factory we are visiting in Itori was revived because of His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“That factory was demolished twice. We started, and Governor Amosun demolished it. The second time, we started again, and he demolished not only the factory but also the fencing, so we left.
“But now, we are back because of His Excellency, my brother, Prince Dapo Abiodun,” Dangote stated.
Amosun, who served as the governor of Ogun State from 2011 to 2019, was also a two-term senator representing the Ogun Central senatorial district.
Dangote had previously announced in 2023, during the agreement signing with China Sinoma International Engineering—the foreign firm tasked with constructing the cement plant—that the new integrated facility would significantly strengthen Dangote Cement’s local production capacity.
Upon completion, the Itori Cement Plant is expected to increase Dangote Cement’s local production capacity to 41.25 million tons per annum, raising its total African production capacity to 57.6 million tons per annum.
He further noted that the plant would enhance Nigeria’s cement export capacity, contributing to economic diversification and increased foreign exchange inflows.
Dangote emphasized that the project would stimulate the domestic economy by creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, as well as fostering economic development in the Itori axis of Ogun State.
Additionally, he stated that ancillary businesses would be attracted to the area, providing goods and services to staff, contractors, and other stakeholders.
The construction of the cement plant aligns with Dangote Group’s vision of producing locally manufactured goods that were previously imported, despite Nigeria’s abundance of raw materials.
As of the time of this report, attempts to verify Dangote’s claims from former Governor Amosun’s side have been unsuccessful.