OKFTZ: Gbenga Daniel 2004 Vision Comes Alive as Dangote Commits to Olokola Deep Seaport Project

The revival of the OKFTZ is not just a win for Dangote or Ogun State—it is a triumph for visionary governance and a lasting tribute to the developmental foresight of Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

 In a major boost to Nigeria’s industrial and maritime landscape, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has submitted formal paperwork to commence the construction of a multi-purpose deep seaport within the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) in Ogun State — a vision originally championed by former governor and current Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

This development marks a significant resurrection of the OKFTZ project, which was initiated by Senator Daniel in 2004 during his tenure as Governor of Ogun State in partnership with the then Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu. The zone was conceived as a strategic industrial hub to drive Nigeria’s economic growth, focused on oil and gas processing, petrochemicals, refining, heavy and light manufacturing, and port infrastructure.

The project had stalled for years due to political and administrative setbacks, especially during the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun (2011–2019), leading to the relocation of Dangote’s $16 billion refinery project from Olokola to Lagos. But now, Otunba Daniel’s bold vision is finding new life.

“The OKFTZ is back to life!” the statement declares, echoing the enthusiasm of economic stakeholders across Ogun State and Nigeria. “Truly, Otunba Daniel’s works will keep speaking for him no matter how late.”

According to a Bloomberg report published on Monday, July 14, Dangote confirmed that paperwork for the project was submitted in late June 2025, as part of his plan to build Nigeria’s largest and deepest seaport—just 100 kilometres from his existing fertilizer and petrochemical complexes in Lagos.

“Africa’s richest person has applied to begin work on a seaport near his fertilizer and oil refinery plants to make it easier to export goods — including liquefied natural gas — and support the rapid growth of his industrial empire,” Bloomberg reported.

“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it,” Dangote was quoted as saying.

The planned Atlantic seaport in Olokola is expected to serve as a major export channel for urea, fertilizers, and eventually liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is also being considered a strategic alternative to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, with capacity that could potentially surpass it.

The reactivation of the Olokola project represents more than just economic advancement; it also vindicates Otunba Daniel’s foresight in infrastructural planning and regional development. His vision for a self-sustaining industrial corridor along the Ogun coastline now appears closer to realization, two decades after the groundwork was first laid.

Under the current Ogun State administration, relations with the Dangote Group have improved, creating an enabling environment for large-scale investment. As part of the broader infrastructure rollout, Dangote is also advancing plans for a network of pipelines linking the Niger Delta to Lagos for LNG transport — a project expected to rival the operations of Nigeria LNG Ltd.

Meanwhile, the company is preparing to begin nationwide fuel distribution in August 2025, using a fleet of 4,000 gas-powered trucks. Despite concerns about possible market dominance, Dangote has dismissed suggestions of monopolistic intent.

With a personal fortune of $27.8 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Aliko Dangote’s push into seaport and logistics infrastructure signals another bold move in reshaping Africa’s economic architecture.

As the OKFTZ begins to rise from dormancy into action, observers say this revival is not just a win for Dangote or Ogun State—it is a triumph for visionary governance and a lasting tribute to the developmental foresight of Otunba Gbenga Daniel.