Dangote Returns To Olokola, Plans Biggest Industrial & Free Trade Zone In Ondo

The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed plans to develop a large-scale industrial and free trade zone at Olokola in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He described the proposed development as a power-driven investment hub designed to attract manufacturers and reduce infrastructure constraints for investors.

Dangote stated this on Monday during a visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital.

According to Dangote, the renewed investment framework covers power generation, cement production, gas infrastructure, and industrial manufacturing.

He said the proposed Olokola project would go beyond a conventional free trade zone by integrating power, water, and logistics infrastructure to enable investors to operate without delays related to basic utilities.

“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,” Dangote said.

He added that the initiative is designed to address Nigeria’s long-standing power deficit, which he described as a major industrial constraint for more than 30 years.

He noted that many manufacturers currently rely on self-generated electricity, and the absence of reliable power has slowed industrial expansion.

The new model, he said, will integrate dedicated energy supply into the industrial zone.

Dangote also disclosed plans to integrate gas infrastructure through an east-west gas corridor to support energy-intensive industries within the zone.

Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomed Dangote’s renewed investment drive in Ondo State.

He described it as a milestone in the state’s industrialisation agenda and said the proposed project aligns with efforts to position Ondo as a leading industrial destination in the South-West.

The governor noted the state’s strategic location along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor.

Aiyedatiwa also highlighted Ondo’s deep seaport licence, which he said provides a logistics advantage for handling large vessels without transshipment.

He stated that limestone deposits in the state have been tested and found suitable for industrial use, indicating potential for cement production expansion.

The governor said a technical committee has been established to engage with the Dangote Group on legal, land, community, and operational frameworks.

He added that the state is ready to nominate a representative to the project board.

Aiyedatiwa assured full government backing for the initiative, stressing that Ondo State will work closely with investors and host communities to ensure smooth implementation and long-term sustainability.