The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to develop a large-scale industrial and free trade zone at Olokola in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, describing the project as a power-driven investment hub aimed at transforming Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
Dangote made the disclosure on Monday during a visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure, where he outlined the framework for the proposed industrial zone.
According to him, the project will integrate power generation, cement production, gas infrastructure, and manufacturing facilities to eliminate major bottlenecks facing investors in Nigeria.
“Plug-and-Play” industrial zone
Dangote said the Olokola project is designed to function as a fully serviced industrial hub where investors can operate without infrastructure delays.
“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,” he said.
He added that the initiative is targeted at addressing Nigeria’s long-standing power deficit, which he described as the biggest constraint to industrial growth over the past three decades.
Energy and infrastructure integration
The industrial hub is expected to include dedicated power generation and an east-west gas corridor to support energy-intensive industries within the zone.
Dangote noted that most manufacturers in Nigeria currently depend on self-generated electricity, a situation he said has slowed industrial expansion nationwide.
He stressed that the new model would directly integrate energy supply into the industrial ecosystem to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
Ondo government backs project
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major boost to the state’s industrialisation drive and economic development agenda.
He said the project aligns with Ondo State’s strategic position along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway corridor, which enhances its logistics potential for industrial growth.
Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the state’s deep seaport licence, noting that it would provide a competitive advantage for large-scale industrial exports and imports.
Strategic mineral and logistics advantage
The governor revealed that limestone deposits in the state have been tested and confirmed suitable for industrial use, opening up opportunities for cement production expansion within the proposed hub.
He added that a technical committee has already been established to work with the Dangote Group on legal, land, community, and operational frameworks for the project.
“The state is ready to fully support this initiative and ensure smooth implementation,” he said.
The proposed Olokola industrial hub is expected to become one of the largest private-sector-led industrial zones in West Africa, strengthening Nigeria’s push toward local manufacturing, energy independence, and export competitiveness.
Discover more from VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
