𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗨𝗽 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀.

BY NIGERDELTA VOICE,

Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Africa’s richest businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has explained why he returned to Ondo State after more than a decade, revealing plans to revive investment activities at the Olokola Free Trade Zone and establish one of Nigeria’s biggest industrial hubs.

Dangote disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in Akure on Monday.

The business mogul said he was in the state to announce plans to return to the Olokola project, which he described as a major industrial development that would attract investors and create thousands of jobs.

According to him, the proposed industrial zone will provide critical infrastructure including power, water supply, and developed land to enable investors to easily establish factories.

“We want to create here the biggest industrial zone in Nigeria, with the provision of power and other infrastructure, where investors can easily come and put up their own investments,” Dangote said.

He added that construction work on the project is expected to commence before the end of the year, with significant employment opportunities expected for residents of Ondo State and neighbouring communities.

Dangote recalled that a previous mega project associated with his group in Lagos generated more than 67,000 jobs, stressing that a similar impact could be achieved in Ondo.

He noted that industrial activities around such projects often stimulate economic growth, including increased land value and opportunities for local residents to participate in housing and other businesses.

Speaking on why he decided to return to Ondo after his earlier proposal almost two decades ago, Dangote attributed the move partly to the leadership style of Governor Aiyedatiwa.

He described the governor as business-friendly and said the administration’s approach to private sector development created a more favourable investment environment.

“The atmosphere is friendlier now,” Dangote said.

On the scale of the renewed investment, the businessman stated that the project could exceed the estimated $6 billion investment initially proposed for Olokola, explaining that the plan would also involve attracting other investors to the zone.

He said investors would not need to worry about infrastructure challenges as the industrial zone would provide essential facilities required for smooth operations.

The return of the Dangote project is expected to boost industrialisation, employment, and economic activities in Ondo State and the wider region.