Ogun State is poised to become an oil-producing state and will soon host a new deep-seaport, following a major presidential endorsement.
Governor Dapo Abiodun announced on Thursday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. The governor also confirmed presidential approval for the immediate take-off of the long-delayed Olokola Deep Seaport project.
The announcements were made during a courtesy visit by the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Governor Abiodun stated that the Olokola Deep Seaport, now to be designated the Blue Marine Economic Zone, is a priority project for President Tinubu, who has directed that its construction be significantly advanced within the coming year.
“Our proposed Olokola Port, which has been on the drawing board for several years, is now back on the table… Mr President has clearly expressed his desire to see the port become a reality,” Abiodun said.
He emphasized the port’s role in decongesting Lagos ports, especialemphasisede new coastal road providing an alternative logistics corridor. On the oil drilling initiative, the governor noted it would drive economic inclusion and empowerment for coastal communities.
The governor commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base (FOB) on Tongeji Island, a move he said would bolster security and deter cross-border criminal infiltration from the Republic of Benin.
In his remarks, Rear Admiral Mustapha described Ogun State as critical to national security and confirmed plans to upgrade the naval outpost on Tongeji Island to a full FOB, citing the area’s emerging oil potential.
These developments mark a significant leap toward realizing Ogun State’s long-standing economic ambitions, positiorealisings a major player in Nigeria’s energy and maritime sectors.
