A major boost is coming to Ogun State’s industrial landscape as Governor Dapo Abiodun has revealed plans for the establishment of the largest cotton and apparel industry in West Africa, a project expected to generate 40,000 jobs.
Speaking when he hosted the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun announced that the groundbreaking ceremony would take place soon, with the industry strategically located in the Special Agro-Processing Zone.
“We are planning to house the biggest cotton and apparel industry, perhaps in West Africa, and the groundbreaking is scheduled to take place soon. That industry promises to employ about 40,000 people when it starts operations, and they will be situated in our Special Processing Zone,” Abiodun stated.
The governor also highlighted the integration of the project with the Ogun State Agro-Cargo and Passenger Airport, describing it as part of a larger “aerotropolis” concept aimed at enhancing efficiency in production, trade, and logistics.
“What we did was co-locate the Special Agro-Processing Zone with our airport. We are in the final stage of completing our Agro-Cargo and Passenger Airport, and within this ecosystem, we also have the biggest customs facility in Nigeria,” he explained.
Governor Abiodun reiterated his administration’s economic blueprint, built on a public-private partnership model under the ISEYA framework—Infrastructure, Social Welfare, Education, Youth Employment, and Agriculture. He pointed out that investments in road infrastructure, affordable housing, healthcare, and education were all part of the state’s industrialization strategy.
He further mentioned the completion of three key road projects—Sagamu-Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode-Epe, and Agbara-Lusada-Atan roads, stressing that improved connectivity would boost investor confidence and facilitate economic expansion.
Highlighting Ogun’s natural resources, Abiodun noted that the state is rich in bitumen, limestone, silica, and gold, adding that it is one of six states approved to operate a Special Processing Zone, which he described as a model for Nigeria’s industrial growth.
“We are leveraging our proximity to Lagos, which is the nation’s financial capital and home to the busiest air and seaports. We are also working toward becoming an oil-producing state soon,” he said.
Governor Abiodun also shared insights from his recent visit to Morocco, where he observed how the country incentivizes investors and has positioned itself as a hub for aircraft parts production. He suggested that Nigeria could replicate such models through strategic partnerships.
The governor further emphasized Ogun’s commitment to industrial energy solutions, stating that efforts were underway to provide affordable power for industries, and he noted the state’s renewed investment in the Adire textile industry to boost local craftsmanship and exports.
In his remarks, Minister John Owan Enoh praised Ogun’s role as Nigeria’s industrial hub, stating that the federal government remains committed to collaborating with states and private investors to advance industrialization.
“Ogun State is a key pillar of Nigeria’s industrial activities. We appreciate the state’s hospitality to industries and its commitment to fostering growth. While we acknowledge the economic challenges businesses face, we must also recognize the enormous opportunities that exist,” Enoh said.
The minister described his visit as an “industry push”, aimed at strengthening federal-state collaboration in line with President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, which prioritizes industrialization, digitalization, innovation, and manufacturing.
