Dangote Unveils Olokola Mega Seaport Project Poised to be Africa’s largest

Dangote Unveils Olokola Mega Seaport Project Poised to be Africa’s largest

 

Dangote Group has commenced preliminary activities for the execution of the multi-billion-dollar Olokola Deep Sea Port project.

Projected to become Africa’s largest deep seaport, it is a strategic infrastructure development expected to reshape Nigeria’s maritime and industrial landscape.

The massive maritime and industrial hub, which forms a key pillar of Dangote Industries Limited’s “Vision 2030” agenda, will sit on more than 10,000 hectares within the Olokola Free Trade Zone, stretching across Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State to Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State along the Atlantic coastline.

The project has already secured the backing of host communities, traditional rulers and security agencies, with residents expressing optimism that the development would unlock unprecedented economic opportunities for the region.

Leading the company’s delegation to the project communities, the Managing Director of Infrastructure and Logistics at Dangote Industries Limited, Capt. Jamil Abubakar, described the Olokola Deep Sea Port as a transformational logistics gateway designed to strengthen Africa’s maritime trade capacity and accelerate industrial growth across the continent.

According to him, the seaport will serve as the logistics backbone for Dangote Industries, facilitating the export of fertilisers, petrochemicals and refined petroleum products, while also supporting future Liquefied Natural Gas exports and the importation of heavy industrial equipment.

Abubakar said the project represents a deliberate expansion into logistics, maritime infrastructure and export-driven industrialisation as the Dangote Group pushes toward its ambition of becoming a $100 billion annual revenue company and ranking among the world’s top 100 corporations within the next five years.

“The Olokola Port project is a major step toward unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential, reducing pressure on existing ports and strengthening industrial growth,” he said.

“It will create jobs, stimulate business activities and drive long-term development in Ogun and Ondo states. With its strategic location, Olokola will become a major gateway for exports and imports, boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.”

Abubakar assured the communities that continuous engagement would remain a central part of the execution process, noting that the project would deliver far-reaching economic and social benefits.

The Dangote team, accompanied by surveyors and environmental consultants, visited Ode-Omi in Ogun State, Araromi Seaside Kingdom and Igbokoda in Ondo State as part of stakeholder consultations and preliminary project activities.

Welcoming the delegation, the Lenuwa of Ode-Omi, Oba Folailu Adekunle Hassan (Oshotekun II), expressed delight over the choice of the area for the world-class maritime hub and pledged the community’s support.

“We have been expecting you for long. It is good that you are here today. Do your best and we will all benefit from this process,” the monarch said.

He also granted approval for the commencement of surveys, household enumeration and compensation processes linked to the project.

Similarly, the Alara of Araromi Seaside Kingdom, Oba Adeoloye Olawole, assured Dangote Industries of both physical and spiritual support for the project.

“We can’t wait for this project to commence. If it is possible for it to begin tomorrow, you are welcome,” the monarch declared.

In a further show of institutional support, the Dangote management also visited the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, where the Acting Commanding Officer, Lt. Commander A.A. Makinwa, pledged the Navy’s cooperation toward the successful execution of the project.

The proposed Olokola Deep Sea Port is expected to emerge as a major logistics and industrial hub capable of attracting foreign investment, boosting export diversification, deepening intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area and generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Industry analysts believe the project could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional maritime and industrial powerhouse while easing congestion at existing ports and opening up new economic corridors along the Gulf of Guinea.