Ogun Waterside Local Government has pledged its full support for the proposed Dangote Deep Seaport, describing the project as a transformative investment that will accelerate industrialisation, create employment and reposition the coastal council as a major logistics and maritime hub in Nigeria.
The commitment was made during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Executive Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Adetoye Odunnoiki, at the council secretariat. The meeting brought together representatives of Dangote Group, traditional rulers from Ode Omi and Irokun Kingdoms, community leaders and senior government officials to strengthen collaboration ahead of the project’s development.
Odunnoiki commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving the Free Trade Zone in Ode Omi and Irokun as the location for the Dangote Deep Seaport, describing the decision as a defining moment for the economic future of Ogun Waterside.
“This engagement is about strengthening mutual understanding, fostering peaceful coexistence and creating a sustainable framework for community development and industrial collaboration,” he said. “The Dangote Deep Seaport will not only transform our local economy but also create opportunities for our people and future generations.”
The council chairman urged residents and traditional institutions across the local government to embrace unity and maintain peace, stressing that sustainable development can only thrive in a stable environment. He also assured investors that the local government would continue to provide an enabling environment while safeguarding the rights, culture and welfare of host communities.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sulaimon Ibrahim, who represented Dangote Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to responsible investment and meaningful engagement with host communities. He said the success of the deep seaport would be built on transparency, partnership and shared prosperity.
“Our commitment goes beyond infrastructure,” Ibrahim said. “We will honour every agreement reached with the host communities and ensure that all persons affected during the planning process are compensated in line with established enumeration and industry standards. Sustainable operations can only flourish in an atmosphere of peace and mutual trust.”
The meeting also highlighted expectations for broad based local participation in the project. Member representing Ogun Waterside Constituency at the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Samsideen Adekunle Lawal, urged Dangote Group to prioritise the employment of qualified indigenes across both technical and management positions while maintaining continuous dialogue with traditional institutions and community stakeholders.
Following extensive deliberations, participants unanimously adopted a communiqué committing all parties to transparency, regular communication and peaceful collaboration throughout the implementation of the project. They also agreed that further town hall engagements would be held as development progresses.
The Dangote Deep Seaport is expected to become one of Nigeria’s most strategic maritime infrastructure projects, strengthening export capacity, supporting industrial clusters within the Free Trade Zone and enhancing the country’s position as a regional gateway for trade and logistics across West Africa.
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