Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is set to expand his industrial footprint with plans to build Nigeria’s largest and deepest seaport in Olokola, Ogun State.
The ambitious project is aimed at enhancing export capacity and strengthening the Dangote Group’s integrated logistics operations.
In a recent interview in Lagos, Dangote confirmed that his company submitted formal documentation in late June to begin construction of the Atlantic deep seaport, which he described as “the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria.”
The proposed port will be strategically located approximately 100 kilometres from the Dangote Group’s expansive fertilizer and petrochemical plants in Lagos. It will serve as a major hub for fertilizer, urea, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, while also facilitating the import of heavy industrial equipment.
Currently, the Dangote Group relies on a private jetty near its refinery to handle exports and receive large equipment. The new seaport is expected to provide a more robust and centralized logistics solution for the group’s growing industrial needs and may soon rival the Chinese-funded Lekki Deep Sea Port, which commenced operations in 2023.
“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves,” Dangote said. “But I believe this kind of investment will inspire other entrepreneurs to get involved too.”
In addition to fertilizer exports, the project includes plans to export LNG from Lagos. This will involve constructing pipelines from the gas-rich Niger Delta to the Ogun coastline. Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of the Dangote Group, confirmed that the port will be central to the group’s long-term gas and export strategy.
“We want to do a major project to bring in more gas than what NLNG is doing today,” Dangote added, referencing Nigeria LNG Ltd., the country’s leading LNG exporter. “We know where there is a lot of gas, so we’ll run a pipeline all the way and bring it to the shore.”
Dangote already uses natural gas from the Niger Delta to power his fertilizer plant, where it is converted into hydrogen to produce ammonia—an essential input for fertilizer production.
Earlier this year, Dangote projected that his conglomerate could generate $30 billion in revenue by next year. He also reiterated his long-term vision for Africa, stating that the continent could become a “heaven” within five years if properly harnessed.
The Olokola port project further underscores Dangote’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s industrial and economic landscape, while positioning the country as a leading global player in urea and LNG exports.
