Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared that his administration is taking deliberate steps to break trade barriers and position the state as Nigeria’s leading hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking to investors and development partners, the governor highlighted that pro-business policies, investment-friendly reforms, and large-scale infrastructure projects are creating an enabling environment for industrial growth and regional trade. Abiodun said Ogun has witnessed an unprecedented wave of industrialisation in recent years, attracting more industries than at any other time in its history.

He attributed this to reforms such as the automation of tax systems, the establishment of the Ogun State Investment and Facilitation Agency, and the creation of a Business Environment Council, which streamlines regulatory processes for investors. “These measures have made Ogun the most attractive state for businesses.

We have removed bottlenecks and created a one-stop shop where investors can operate seamlessly,” the governor said. International recognition has followed, with Abiodun recently receiving the Foreign Investment Network Award for Economic Leadership, reflecting the state’s growing status as Nigeria’s industrial hub.

Major companies, including the Dangote Group, have renewed commitments to Ogun, with plans for a deep seaport at Olokola and the expansion of cement production capacity to 18 million metric tons annually. The governor also underscored the state’s strategic investments in transport infrastructure, which he said are critical to supporting trade and industrialisation.

Ogun has constructed over 1,200 kilometres of roads, expanded rail connectivity through the Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge line, and promoted inland waterway initiatives. A flagship project, the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, is nearing completion and is being positioned as one of the most advanced trade and logistics hubs in West Africa.

The airport will host Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs), developed in partnership with the Federal Government, the African Development Bank, and Afreximbank, with full completion expected by the third quarter of 2025. To further strengthen trade facilitation, the Nigerian Customs Service has approved new facilities in Ogun, while partnerships with the Nigerian Air Force are underway to establish a base at the cargo airport, enhancing security and attracting greater investment.

Although Abiodun did not explicitly reference AfCFTA, his administration’s policies clearly align with its objectives of reducing trade barriers and boosting intra-African commerce. “Our vision is not just about building infrastructure but about building a globally competitive economy. Ogun State will be the launchpad for Nigeria’s full participation in AfCFTA. We are positioning ourselves as the gateway to African trade,” he said.

Analysts note that with ongoing projects in transport, agro-processing, customs operations, and industrial expansion, Ogun is steadily consolidating its position as a trade powerhouse. If current momentum is sustained, the state is poised to become a major driver of Nigeria’s export-led growth and one of the country’s strongest trade hubs under AfCFTA.