Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port Approved, Ogun Set for Economic Transformation

By Olatunji Adesina | August 29, 2025

Ogun State has secured a monumental approval from the Federal Government for the establishment of the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port, a development poised to revolutionize trade and logistics in Nigeria’s South-West region.

The dry port will be sited on 130 hectares of land along the Epe/Mojoda Expressway in Ijebu-Ode, generously allocated on an ex-gratis basis by the Ogun State Government. This follows a formal request by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, underscoring strong federal-state collaboration to advance national infrastructure.

When completed, the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port is expected to significantly decongest the Lagos port system by serving as a major cargo consolidation and distribution hub. It will enhance trade effectiveness in the South-West, contribute to increased national GDP, support Ogun’s industrial hub initiative, and create numerous job opportunities for the local economy.

Governor Abiodun emphasized the strategic importance of the project, stating, “The Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port and the Gateway International Airport are critical enablers of industrialization and regional competitiveness. Together, they will transform Ogun State into a logistics and economic powerhouse, creating prosperity for our people and opportunities for Nigeria at large.”

This approval complements the recent certification of Gateway International Airport by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), positioning Ogun State as a major hub for both air and sea trade. With another inland dry port secured at Kajola for the Ogun Central Industrial Cluster, the state is achieving balanced industrial development across its senatorial districts.

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Economic experts anticipate that the dry port will streamline logistics, attract foreign direct investment, and bolster SMEs by providing modern cargo handling, storage, and efficient distribution infrastructure. Additionally, the project is set to enhance the aesthetic and infrastructural landscape of Ijebu-Ode and its environs.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is collaborating with the Ogun State Government to ensure timely project delivery in line with international standards. This initiative fits into the broader national agenda to create an enabling environment for trade, industrial growth, and economic diversification.

As Ogun State continues to build on such monumental infrastructural projects under Governor Abiodun’s leadership, it stands on the brink of becoming Nigeria’s foremost industrial and logistic hub.