By : Nusrat Lasisi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling in Ogun State, a move that could transform the state’s economy and mark its entry into Nigeria’s league of oil-producing regions. The approval was disclosed on Thursday by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun during a statement in Abeokuta, the state capital. The project will begin at Tongeji Island in the Ipokia Local Government Area, where geological surveys have long indicated commercial oil potentials.
Governor Abiodun described the decision as a “major breakthrough” for the state and its coastal communities, noting that oil exploration and production activities are expected to create jobs, drive economic inclusion and open new opportunities for residents. Alongside the oil drilling approval, President Tinubu has also green-lit the immediate take-off of the long-awaited Olokola Deep Seaport project in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. The seaport is planned to be developed as the Blue Marine Economic Zone and is seen as key to decongesting ports in the Lagos area and boosting regional trade.
Officials say both initiatives reflect a broader push to leverage Ogun’s strategic coastal location. The state government has also reaffirmed its commitment to providing basic amenities and strengthening security, including support for a Forward Operations Base established by the Nigerian Navy on Tongeji Island to safeguard emerging oil operations.
The developments come after years of anticipation for both oil production and maritime infrastructure in the region, and are expected to shape Ogun’s economic landscape in the years ahead.