Dangote Industries Limited has kicked off preliminary preparations for its proposed Deep Seaport at the Olokola Free Trade Zone in Ogun State.
This major step forward follows successful engagements and endorsements from traditional rulers and host communities across Ogun and Ondo states, positioning the project to become a dominant maritime logistics hub in West Africa.
The development marks a significant milestone toward establishing what could become one of West Africa’s key maritime logistics hubs.
According to a statement by the company, a high-level delegation, led by Capt. Jamil Abubakar, Managing Director of Infrastructure & Logistics at Dangote Industries, recently visited communities within the proposed project corridor in the Olokota Free Trade Zone.
It said the engagement aimed to begin stakeholder consultations and sensitisation ahead of survey and enumeration activities.
The deep seaport project is part of Aliko Dangote’s broader expansion strategy under his Vision 2030 plan, which targets annual group revenues of $100 billion while enhancing Africa’s industrial and trade infrastructure.
Situated along Nigeria’s Atlantic coastline, the Olokola Free Trade Zone spans over 10,000 hectares across Ogun and Ondo states, less than 100 kilometers east of Lagos and near the Lekki-Epe industrial corridor. Its location is strategically positioned to support regional shipping, exports, and industrial supply chains across the Gulf of Guinea.
During the stakeholder engagement, Dangote officials met with leaders of the Ode-Omi community in Ogun State and the Araromi Seaside Kingdom in Ondo State. Traditional rulers at both locations endorsed the launch of preliminary activities, including land surveys, household enumeration, and the assessment of economic assets for compensation purposes.
The Lenuwa of Ode-Omi, Oba Folailu Adekunle Hassan, welcomed the project team and voiced support for the initiative, while the Alara of Araromi Seaside Kingdom, Oba Adeoloye Olawole, pledged both community and traditional backing.
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Capt. Abubakar described the seaport as a transformational infrastructure project designed to strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, ease congestion at existing ports, and spur industrial growth across southern Nigeria. He noted that the project is expected to generate employment, expand logistics and manufacturing activities, and deliver long-term economic benefits for host communities and the wider Nigerian economy.
The delegation also visited the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, where military officials expressed readiness to provide security and operational support.
For investors and business stakeholders, the Olokola Deep Seaport is viewed as a potentially strategic addition to Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure network. This comes as Africa’s largest economy seeks to improve export capacity, reduce logistics bottlenecks, and capitalize on opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Analysts suggest the project could bolster Nigeria’s role in regional trade flows by encouraging export diversification, attracting foreign direct investment, and strengthening industrial supply chains tied to manufacturing, energy, and logistics.
If completed, the Olokola Deep Seaport would complement existing port infrastructure around Lagos while potentially emerging as a major gateway for imports, exports, and intra-African commerce.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X