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Ogun State will become an oil-producing state following the approval by President Bola Tinubu for the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this during a courtesy visit to his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and senior officers.
The governor also announced that President Tinubu has approved the immediate take-off of the long-delayed Olokola Deep Seaport project, describing the decision as a major breakthrough after years of anticipation surrounding the multibillion-dollar development.
According to Abiodun, both the oil drilling project and the seaport are of special interest to the president.
He said the seaport would help ease congestion at the Lagos ports, while oil exploration at Tongeji Island would drive inclusion and economic empowerment for residents of coastal communities.
“Let me share with you that Mr President has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling operations at Tongeji Island, and going forward, you will begin to see a lot of activities there,” Abiodun said on Thursday .
He added that the Olokola port project, which had remained on the drawing board for several years, has now been revived on the president’s directive.
“Our proposed Olokola Port, which has been on the drawing board for several years, is now back on the table. I want to sincerely thank Mr President because this is solely his initiative.
“In the last two weeks alone, we have held several meetings on Olokola, and Mr President has clearly expressed his desire to see the port become a reality.”
Abiodun said Tinubu has instructed that construction should be significantly advanced between now and next year.
The governor disclosed that the new seaport would be known as the Blue Marine Economic Zone, reflecting its coastal location and economic potential.
He noted that the project would also benefit from the coastal road, which provides an alternative logistics corridor.
Abiodun commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, saying the naval presence would help prevent infiltration from the Benin Republic and protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
He added that his administration was working to provide basic amenities for island residents to support improved living conditions and emerging economic activities.
He also praised the navy’s contribution to Ogun State’s security, attributing the state’s relative peace to effective collaboration among security agencies.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Mustapha described Ogun State as strategic to Nigeria’s national security, noting that the naval outpost at Tongeji Island would be upgraded to a Forward Operations Base due to the area’s oil potential.
