PARIS — In what is being hailed as a major milestone for Nigeria’s industrialization and maritime trade, the Ogun State Government has signed historic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with global logistics powerhouse DP World to develop the Gateway Deep Seaport and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The high-level signing ceremony in Paris, France, was witnessed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who seized the moment to reassure domestic and international investors of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to regulatory clarity, policy stability, and a predictable business environment.
A Transformative $7 Billion Partnership
The ambitious twin projects are projected to pull in an initial investment exceeding $7 billion. At full maturity, the venture aims to generate over 50,000 direct jobs, unlock massive non-oil export earnings, and significantly broaden Nigeria’s industrial footprint.
- Gateway Deep Seaport: Located at Ogun Waterside, the facility will feature an impressive 4-kilometer berth and an 18-meter draft. It is engineered to handle ultra-large, deep-draft cargo vessels, effectively decongesting the chronically strained Lagos port corridor—including the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports—while cutting down logistics costs and delivery delays.
- Blue Marine Special Economic Zone: Spanning a massive 10,000 hectares, the SEZ is designed as an integrated manufacturing hub. Imported inputs will be processed into finished goods, and local raw materials prepared for international export.
”A port moves cargo; a port integrated with a special economic zone helps to build an economy. Each reinforces the other,” President Tinubu stated during the ceremony.
Cooperative Federalism in Action
The Ogun State delegation was led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, alongside key state officials and host community representatives. Federal backing was strongly underscored by the presence of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho. Global executives, including DP World Group CEO Yuvraj Narayan and SkyCapital Managing Director Karim Noujaim, were also in attendance.
President Tinubu lauded the deal as a shining example of “cooperative federalism”—where local vision is met with robust federal facilitation. He pledged that the central government would fast-track essential road, rail, and power connectivity, secure the maritime domain, and sweep away bureaucratic hurdles.
Strategic Infrastructure Links
To guarantee commercial viability, the new maritime and industrial cluster will plug directly into major national infrastructure grids. President Tinubu noted that the 28-kilometer Ogun State stretch of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway—slated for completion before the end of the year—will serve as a vital artery connecting the port and SEZ to Lagos, the hinterland, and broader continental markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The corridor is also positioned to synergize with upcoming energy and defense infrastructure, including the proposed Nigerian Navy Operating Base and Dockyard and the OK LNG Project.
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Governor Abiodun praised the federal leadership for helping revive a coastal development vision that had laid dormant for over three decades, emphasizing that the state is primed to deliver swift, transformative execution.
