President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to develop a large-scale industrial and free trade zone in Ondo State, a project expected to strengthen industrial activities and attract significant investments to the region.
Dangote disclosed the initiative during a visit to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure, where he presented the company’s vision for transforming the Olokola Free Trade Zone into a major industrial and business destination.
According to him, the proposed development will provide essential infrastructure such as power generation facilities, water supply systems, transportation networks, and logistics support, creating a more conducive environment for investors and manufacturers.
The billionaire businessman explained that the industrial zone is designed to serve as a fully integrated investment hub capable of attracting local and international businesses. He noted that inadequate infrastructure remains one of the key challenges facing industrial development in Nigeria, and the project is aimed at addressing that gap.
Dangote revealed that contractors are expected to move to the project site in the coming months, while substantial construction activities are scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2026.
He added that the development is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate economic growth, and support industrial expansion across Ondo State and neighboring regions.
The planned industrial zone also aligns with Dangote Industries’ broader vision for the Olokola axis, including the proposed development of a deep seaport and supporting logistics infrastructure. Industry experts believe these projects could significantly improve trade activities by facilitating the movement of goods for both local and international markets.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa welcomed the investment proposal, describing it as a major step toward accelerating the state’s economic transformation. He expressed optimism that the project would boost employment opportunities, attract additional investors, and strengthen Ondo State’s position as a growing industrial destination.
Economic analysts have also highlighted the potential impact of the initiative, noting that the combination of an industrial hub and a future deep seaport could transform the Olokola area into one of Nigeria’s leading centers for manufacturing, logistics, and regional trade.
If completed as planned, the project is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s industrialization efforts while enhancing the country’s competitiveness as a manufacturing and export hub in West Africa.
About the author
Rwanda vs Nigeria: Chelle reignites the Super Eagles’ aspirations for the 2026 World Cup in Kigali.
On Friday, Eric Chelle became the inaugural non-Nigerian African coach to take the helm of the Super Eagles. The Malian coach directed his first match, resulting in a 2-0 win against Rwanda during a qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup. Chelle's appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took place on January 7, as he replaced Finidi George and succeeded interim coach Augustine Eguavoen. Since that time, he has dedicated three months to traveling across Nigeria, observing domestic league matches, and engaging with his players based in Europe. However, his initial team selection remained perplexing. Chelle opted for a highly offensive formation in Kigali, which appeared unbalanced on paper. Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon were all included in the attacking lineup, while Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi occupied the midfield positions. "I had mixed feelings. […]
Tragedy as man loses three children to Abuja flood
A younger brother of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) 2027 senatorial candidate for Bauchi South, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Musa, has lost his three children to flooding in Abuja. According to report, the children, identified as Maryam, Umar and Hanifah, were swept away by floodwaters four days ago. Abubakar is the younger brother of Shehu Aliyu Musa, the PRP candidate for Bauchi South in the 2027 senatorial election. The PRP Bauchi State chapter said the body of Umar, the male child, had been recovered, while the bodies of the two girls were yet to be found as of October 4. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauch State has condoled with the children’s father, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Musa, over the tragic incident. Mohammed in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, described the loss of the […]
Ogun, NNPC Move to Revive OKLNG as $7bn Coastal Development Gathers Momentum
The Ogun State Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have commenced discussions on the revival of the long-delayed Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) project in Ogun Waterside The development adds a major energy component to the emerging coastal investment corridor anchored by the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and the 10,000-hectare Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone. The renewed discussions followed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Ogun State and global ports and logistics operator, DP World, for the development of the deep sea port and economic zone. The agreements, signed in Paris in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and create over 50,000 direct jobs, according to the Ogun State Government. Receiving NNPC officials in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Governor Dapo Abiodun said […]
Drama as FUOYE students, staff foil police bid to arrest VC
There was a mild drama in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, in the early hours of Wednesday as staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), prevented an attempt by the police to arrest the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole. Ogunwole had raised the alarm that policemen were surrounding his residence in Ado-Ekiti with unclear mission. Our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti understands that the incident attracted members of the university community, including academic, non-academic staff and students to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence. They gathered in solidarity and prevented the alleged arrest. Addressing journalists at his residence in Ado-Ekiti, Ogunwole said the policemen arrived at his official residence at about 6:10am. He explained that his children woke him up after noticing the policemen around the house. The Vice-Chancellor said he initially declined to come out because he was unsure whether […]
Edo court sentences four kidnappers to death
Relatives of four convicted kidnappers wept uncontrollably yesterday as an Edo State High Court sentenced them to death, bringing an emotionally charged end to the first kidnapping case publicly tried by the state’s Special Court for Cultism and Kidnapping Cases. The courtroom was filled to the brim as Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu handed down the sentences, a crowd gathered outside the court premises to catch a glimpse of the convicts as they were led away. The atmosphere evoked memories of the sentencing of notorious armed robber Lawrence Anini and members of his gang in the 1980s, whose case and subsequent execution became one of the most dramatic criminal justice episodes in the state. The four convicts – Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 – were sentenced to death by hanging or lethal […]
Police arrest five for wearing ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts
The Police has arrested and arraigned five men for allegedly wearing T-shirts bearing “Tinubu Must Go” inscription in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. A First Information Report (FIR) issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and verified through court officials, named the defendants as Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21. The document, dated September 29, 2026, stated that the incident occurred on September 25, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m around the West End Roundabout community in Maiduguri. The police charged the defendants with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery—offences the prosecution argues run contrary to Sections 60, 78, 79, and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. When the case was brought before the Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri, all […]
Police arrest Education Commissioner, three others over deputy director’s death
The Police has arrested the Commissioner for Secondary Education in Delta State, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and three others over the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education. This brings to five the number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Adeda. The spokesperson for the Police Command in the state, SP Bright Edafe made the disclodure in a statement on Monday in Asaba. The command also declared a manhunt for the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Clemetine Ufuoma, and Clement Apia, the driver attached to the Commissioner for Secondary Education. The police said the presence of the two suspects was required to advance the investigation. The command urged Ufuoma and Apia to make themselves available to the police […]
Related
Tragedy as man loses three children to Abuja flood
A younger brother of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) 2027 senatorial candidate for Bauchi South, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Musa, has lost his three children to flooding in Abuja. According to report, the children, identified as Maryam, Umar and Hanifah, were swept away by floodwaters four days ago. Abubakar is the younger brother of Shehu Aliyu Musa, the PRP candidate for Bauchi South in the 2027 senatorial election. The PRP Bauchi State chapter said the body of Umar, the male child, had been recovered, while the bodies of the two girls were yet to be found as of October 4. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauch State has condoled with the children’s father, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Musa, over the tragic incident. Mohammed in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, described the loss of the […]
Ogun, NNPC Move to Revive OKLNG as $7bn Coastal Development Gathers Momentum
The Ogun State Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have commenced discussions on the revival of the long-delayed Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) project in Ogun Waterside The development adds a major energy component to the emerging coastal investment corridor anchored by the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and the 10,000-hectare Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone. The renewed discussions followed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Ogun State and global ports and logistics operator, DP World, for the development of the deep sea port and economic zone. The agreements, signed in Paris in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and create over 50,000 direct jobs, according to the Ogun State Government. Receiving NNPC officials in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Governor Dapo Abiodun said […]
Drama as FUOYE students, staff foil police bid to arrest VC
There was a mild drama in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, in the early hours of Wednesday as staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), prevented an attempt by the police to arrest the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole. Ogunwole had raised the alarm that policemen were surrounding his residence in Ado-Ekiti with unclear mission. Our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti understands that the incident attracted members of the university community, including academic, non-academic staff and students to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence. They gathered in solidarity and prevented the alleged arrest. Addressing journalists at his residence in Ado-Ekiti, Ogunwole said the policemen arrived at his official residence at about 6:10am. He explained that his children woke him up after noticing the policemen around the house. The Vice-Chancellor said he initially declined to come out because he was unsure whether […]
Edo court sentences four kidnappers to death
Relatives of four convicted kidnappers wept uncontrollably yesterday as an Edo State High Court sentenced them to death, bringing an emotionally charged end to the first kidnapping case publicly tried by the state’s Special Court for Cultism and Kidnapping Cases. The courtroom was filled to the brim as Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu handed down the sentences, a crowd gathered outside the court premises to catch a glimpse of the convicts as they were led away. The atmosphere evoked memories of the sentencing of notorious armed robber Lawrence Anini and members of his gang in the 1980s, whose case and subsequent execution became one of the most dramatic criminal justice episodes in the state. The four convicts – Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 – were sentenced to death by hanging or lethal […]
Police arrest five for wearing ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts
The Police has arrested and arraigned five men for allegedly wearing T-shirts bearing “Tinubu Must Go” inscription in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. A First Information Report (FIR) issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and verified through court officials, named the defendants as Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21. The document, dated September 29, 2026, stated that the incident occurred on September 25, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m around the West End Roundabout community in Maiduguri. The police charged the defendants with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery—offences the prosecution argues run contrary to Sections 60, 78, 79, and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. When the case was brought before the Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri, all […]
Police arrest Education Commissioner, three others over deputy director’s death
The Police has arrested the Commissioner for Secondary Education in Delta State, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, and three others over the death of Mr Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Secondary Education. This brings to five the number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Adeda. The spokesperson for the Police Command in the state, SP Bright Edafe made the disclodure in a statement on Monday in Asaba. The command also declared a manhunt for the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Clemetine Ufuoma, and Clement Apia, the driver attached to the Commissioner for Secondary Education. The police said the presence of the two suspects was required to advance the investigation. The command urged Ufuoma and Apia to make themselves available to the police […]
Be the first to leave a comment