Aliko Dangote To Build Nigeria’s Largest Seaport In Olokola, Ogun State.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual and founder of the Dangote Group, has submitted an application to construct Nigeria’s largest and deepest seaport in the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ), Ogun State. This ambitious project marks a significant step in expanding his industrial empire and enhancing Nigeria’s trade and logistics infrastructure.
The proposed Atlantic seaport, located approximately 100 kilometres from Dangote’s fertiliser plant and petrochemical refinery in Lagos, aims to alleviate congestion at the overburdened Lagos ports and streamline exports, particularly for Dangote’s businesses. The port is expected to facilitate the export of petrol, liquefied natural gas (LNG), urea, and fertiliser, addressing logistical bottlenecks that currently hinder operations due to constrained road networks and existing port limitations. The initiative is also poised to boost regional commerce, positioning Olokola as a key export gateway for West Africa.
Dangote’s vision for the seaport, which has been revitalised with support from the Nigerian federal government and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, follows years of delays due to regulatory and legal challenges. The billionaire announced plans for the project in March 2025, with paperwork formally submitted in late June. The seaport is designed to complement Dangote’s existing infrastructure, including his $20 billion refinery, the largest single-train facility of its kind globally, and his fertiliser operations, which currently rely on a private jetty for exports and equipment handling.
In addition to supporting his own enterprises, the Olokola seaport is expected to drive economic growth in Nigeria by creating jobs and fostering a more robust logistics network. Dangote has long championed self-sufficiency in Nigeria, leveraging the country’s abundant natural resources to reduce reliance on imports. His investments in cement manufacturing have already made Nigeria self-sufficient in the sector, transforming it into a cement-exporting nation.
The project has garnered praise for its potential to reshape Nigeria’s industrial landscape. Governor Abiodun highlighted Ogun State’s investor-friendly environment as a key factor in Dangote’s decision to return to the OKFTZ, noting that the state is fast becoming a manufacturing hub. However, the seaport will face competition from other regional infrastructure, such as the Chinese-backed Lekki Deep Sea Port, which opened in 2023.
Dangote’s broader vision includes expanding LNG exports, which will require constructing pipelines from Nigeria’s gas-rich Niger Delta. This aligns with his ongoing efforts to industrialise Africa, as evidenced by his recent expansion of the Dangote Refinery’s operations into Namibia and four other African countries. Speaking to global CEOs at the Lagos Business School on 10 July 2025, Dangote urged African entrepreneurs to invest boldly in transformative projects to harness the continent’s vast resources and address long-standing challenges.
The Olokola seaport project underscores Dangote’s commitment to driving economic development and inspiring other investors. As plans progress, the port is expected to become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s trade infrastructure, cementing Dangote’s legacy as a transformative force in African industry.
