Ahead of the takeoff of the Olokola Deep Seaport Project, a high-powered Dangote delegation led by the Managing Director of Infrastructure & Logistics at Dangote Industries Limited, Capt. Jamil Abubakar, has paid an advance visit to engage and sensitize host communities in the proposed project area within the Olokola Free Zone across Ogun and Ondo states.
The Olokola project is an important aspect of the vision of the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, to strengthen Africa’s maritime trade capacity.
The new deep seaport project aims to enhance regional commerce and logistics across the continent as part of the Group’s Vision 2030 strategy to generate an annual revenue of $100 billion by the year 2030, with a corresponding positive impact on Africa’s development process.
The Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) spans an industrial enclave of over 10,000 hectares located directly along the Atlantic coast, straddling the border of Ogun and Ondo states. It is situated in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State and extends eastward to the borders of the Ilaje LGA in Ondo State. It is located less than 100 kilometers east of Lagos, abutting the eastern side of the Lekki-Epe corridor.
The coastal area lies at the natural estuary and waterway junction between Ogun and Ondo states on the Gulf of Guinea.
Among the communities visited by the Managing Director and his team were the Ode-Omi community in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State, as well as the Araromi Seaside Kingdom and Igbokoda town in Ondo State. This continuous engagement is a crucial part of the development process.
The visiting delegation, which comprised senior Dangote officials, land and estate surveyors, and environmental consultants, was welcomed to the Ode-Omi community by the monarch, the Lenuwa of Ode-Omi, Oba Folailu Adekunle Hassan (Oshotekun II), alongside Baales, Chiefs, and youth leaders of the area.
The monarch stated that the community had long expected the delegation and expressed optimism that the project would be mutually beneficial.
The traditional ruler also gave his consent for the Dangote team to mobilize and begin survey operations and other preliminary activities in the project area. These activities will include the enumeration of households and economic trees to ensure proper compensation for any settlements affected by the deep seaport project.
Capt. Abubakar also led the team to the Araromi Seaside Kingdom in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, where they engaged and sensitized the Alara of Araromi Seaside Kingdom, HRM Oba Adeoloye Olawole, high Palace Chiefs, and youth leaders of the community.
The Alara welcomed the project and pledged both physical and spiritual support to ensure its immediate commencement.
Speaking on the initiative, Capt. Abubakar noted that the Olokola Deep Sea project is a major step toward unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential, strengthening trade networks, reducing pressure on existing ports, and supporting industrial growth.
He emphasized that the port will create real opportunities for host communities through job creation, business activities, and long-term developmental projects across both Ogun and Ondo states.
With its strategic location, Olokola is positioned to serve as a key gateway for exports and imports, boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.
The team also paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda, Ondo State, where they were received by the Base Operations Officer and Acting Commanding Officer, Lt. Commander A.A. Makinwa, who pledged cooperation with the Group in the interest of national security and overall economic development.
A major outcome of the delegation’s visit was securing the official approval and support of the two monarchs and their cabinets. This allows the Dangote Group to mobilize to the project site to begin surveying and enumeration activities, paving the way for the conglomerate to compensate affected communities in the project area as the Olokola Deep Seaport project takes off.
The proposed Olokola Deep Seaport is expected to deliver compelling value for the Dangote Group, particularly in supporting economic expansion, trade growth, and long-term operational scale.
The project will drive significant direct and indirect job creation, attract foreign direct investment, and stimulate related sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and services.
This will position Olokola as a key logistics and industrial hub, contributing to a more robust and resilient economy.
In addition, the port will enhance trade potential, foster export diversification, and strengthen participation in intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, positioning both the Group and Nigeria to benefit from increased regional trade flows and foreign exchange generation.