Ogun State has moved to turn its long-standing coastal development dream into a major industrial and maritime reality, following the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with global logistics giant DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
The two projects, driven by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, are expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and generate over 50,000 direct jobs, potentially repositioning Ogun as one of Nigeria’s major gateways for manufacturing, logistics, maritime commerce and international trade.
The agreements were signed in Paris, France, in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
For Ogun, the deal represents the latest and most significant push to unlock the economic potential of its coastline after more than three decades of plans for a deep seaport remained largely unrealised.
In his remarks, Abiodun described the signing as a historic turning point for both Ogun State and Nigeria, noting that plans for a deep seaport along Ogun’s coastline had remained unrealised for over three decades.
“It has taken the foresight, courage and dogged leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move it from aspiration to reality,” Abiodun said.
According to the governor, the project is central to Ogun’s strategy to deepen trade, attract foreign direct investment and create new opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, technology and maritime services.
“Our ambition is not merely to berth ships.
We are building a gateway for Ogun and Nigeria’s productive strength to reach Africa and the world,” he said.
Abiodun also highlighted the significance of the Blue Marine Special Economic Zone, saying it would attract capital, technology and innovation while stimulating small and medium-scale enterprises and strengthening supply chains.
Drawing parallels with Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, he said the integration of ports, logistics and industrial zones had the potential to transform Ogun into a major investment destination.
The governor said the project would complement existing infrastructure including the Gateway International Airport, dry ports and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, creating a multimodal transport network capable of accelerating economic growth.
“History will judge us not by the elegance of documents signed, but by the transformation that follows. Ceremonies proclaim intentions; only implementation creates prosperity,” Abiodun said.
According to a statement issued by the Ogun State Government through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the signing marks a decisive step in reviving Ogun’s long-standing coastal development ambitions and leveraging the state’s strategic location to drive industrialisation, logistics and international trade.
With over $7 billion expected in initial investments and tens of thousands of jobs projected, the Ogun deep seaport project is shaping up as one of the most ambitious maritime and industrial undertakings in Nigeria’s recent history.
On his part, Tinubu said the coastal highway would provide a critical connection between the port, Ogun’s industrial belt, Lagos, the Nigerian hinterland and wider African markets.
The President also linked the development to other strategic projects in the area, including the proposed Nigerian Navy Operating Base and Dockyard and the OK LNG Project.
He said the combination of the port and special economic zone would enable Nigeria to move beyond simply importing goods by creating capacity to process raw materials, manufacture finished products and export them to international markets.
“A port moves cargo; a port integrated with a special economic zone helps to build an economy,” Tinubu said
