Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, has revealed plans to construct what he described as the “biggest, deepest seaport in Nigeria.”
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Dangote disclosed that he has submitted an application to begin work on the proposed Atlantic seaport located in Olokola, Ogun State.
According to him, the project will significantly ease the export of goods—including liquefied natural gas (LNG)—while further accelerating the expansion of his sprawling industrial empire.
“The plan to build the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria” progressed last month, he said, after submitting the necessary paperwork for official approval.
“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it,” Dangote explained.
The proposed port signals a return to a site he once abandoned following a disagreement with local authorities over an earlier plan to build a refinery and fertiliser complex.
In March, Dangote cited renewed support from Ogun State authorities as his reason for returning to the state. “Because of His Excellency, our governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun,” he said, construction has resumed in the area.
In a separate interview, Devakumar Edwin, vice-president of the Dangote Group, confirmed the company’s intention to begin exporting LNG from Lagos. He revealed that the venture would require constructing pipelines from the gas-rich Niger Delta.
“We want to do a major project to bring more gas than what Nigeria LNG is doing today,” Edwin said. “We know where there is a lot of gas, so run a pipeline all through and then bring it to the shore.”
On May 26, Dangote stated that Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) aims to generate $7 million in daily revenue from fertiliser sales within the next two years.
Roughly a month later, the Dangote Refinery announced it would begin the nationwide distribution of diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, starting August 15.
The company also revealed it had acquired 4,000 new compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to support this upcoming rollout.s (CNG)-powered tankers to enhance its fuel distribution capacity across the country.
On June 27, Dangote also said Africa will be self-sufficient in fertiliser supply within 40 months.
