🧵 FROM OLOKOLA TO GATEWAY: THE 20+ YEAR JOURNEY TO NIGERIA'S NEW OGUN DEEP SEA PORT
Yesterday, 24 September 2026, a major new chapter was written in the long-running story of the proposed deep-sea port at Ogun Waterside.
The Ogun State Government and DP World, one of the world's major port and logistics operators, signed MoUs in Paris for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu witnessed the signing.
The investment package is expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and create over 50,000 direct jobs, according to the government announcement.
But how did we get here?
Let's go back more than 20 years. 🇳🇬👇
1/ 2004 — THE EARLY BEGINNING
The Olokola Free Trade Zone was formally designated in 2004, according to NEPZA records.
The zone covers approximately 10,500 hectares across Ondo and Ogun and was conceived around oil & gas, manufacturing and industrial development.
This is one of the earliest formal milestones in the Olokola story.
2/ 2004–2005 — THE BIGGER VISION
The original concept was never simply about building a port.
The vision was an integrated economic corridor combining:
🚢 Deep Sea Port
🏭 Free Trade Zone
⛽ Oil & Gas
🔥 LNG
🏗️ Manufacturing
📦 Logistics
⚙️ Petrochemicals
🌍 Export industries
The ambition was to create a major industrial and maritime gateway for Nigeria and West Africa.
3/ 2005–2007 — OLNG ENTERS THE PICTURE
The proposed Olokola LNG (OKLNG) project became one of the major pillars of the development.
NNPC and international energy companies including Shell, Chevron and BG were involved in the proposed LNG project.
The thinking was straightforward:
Energy + Industry + Port + Logistics = Integrated Economic Hub.
4/ 17 APRIL 2007 — OFFICIAL FLAG-OFF
The Olokola Free Trade Zone and Deep Sea Port were officially flagged off at Ode-Omi, Ogun Waterside.
This was a major milestone.
But there is an important lesson here:
A project can be officially launched without being fully financed or constructed.
The project still needed concession arrangements, financing, infrastructure, investors and sustained implementation.
5/ 2008 — PRIVATE INVESTMENT
The project moved towards a private-sector/PPP model.
There was interest from international investors and development-finance institutions.
Associated infrastructure was also developed around the wider FTZ.
But the main deep-sea port itself did not progress into sustained full-scale construction.
6/ 2008 — PIONEER JETTY
A Pioneer Jetty was developed within the Olokola Free Trade Zone.
This was tangible infrastructure.
But it is important not to confuse the Pioneer Jetty with the construction of the proposed deep-sea port itself.
7/ 2009–2012 — MOMENTUM WEAKENS
The project encountered a combination of challenges involving:
• Inter-state coordination
• Ownership/equity arrangements
• Concession structures
• Financing
• Feasibility studies
• Political transitions
• The difficulties surrounding OKLNG
The project required Ogun, Ondo, the Federal Government and private investors to maintain a common development structure.
That proved difficult.
8/ 2012–2013 — ATTEMPTS TO REVIVE IT
The Olokola FTZ continued to be marketed internationally.
Private-sector interest remained.
At various points, completion dates were projected.
But those deadlines passed without the original deep-sea port becoming operational.
9/ 2013 — THE DANGOTE REFINERY CONNECTION
Plans were associated with a major Dangote refinery development at Olokola.
A large refinery would have provided a significant industrial anchor and potentially substantial cargo demand for the port.
The refinery was ultimately developed at the Lekki corridor.
That changed the original economic configuration envisaged for Olokola.
10/ 2014–2019 — STILL A PROPOSED PORT
Olokola remained on Nigeria's list of proposed deep-sea ports.
TóBi🎀 retweeted
Contrary to the narrative being pushed by the opposition, with videos of their alleged paid thugs at the National Mosque today, here is footage of Mr. President leaving the mosque after Friday prayers this afternoon.
TóBi🎀 retweeted
LET’S SHUN VIOLENCE: OUR CAMPAIGNS MUST BE ABOUT ISSUES THAT PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF OUR PEOPLE
I have followed recent reports of violence accompanying political events in different parts of the country.
Every form of violence stands condemned. Violence should never have a place in our political campaigns as we move toward the 2027 general elections.
Our campaigns should be about issues, a contestation of ideas that promote the welfare of our people and the progress of our country.
As the leader of this country, I commit myself to a peaceful, free, and fair election, and I urge political leaders and supporters across party lines to conduct themselves responsibly.
I have said that being in different political parties or pursuing different ambitions does not make us enemies.
As Nigerians, we are members of the same household living in different rooms. Therefore, our politics must elevate human conditions and focus on national progress and development.
I want to reiterate my previous directive to the security agencies: be strict and firm against anyone who seeks to test our resolve and will to preserve public order.
Our administration is committed to an orderly and peaceful election, and all political parties and candidates should be protected and free to campaign anywhere in the country without molestation or fear for their safety.
We shall not tolerate any irresponsible conduct by politicians and their supporters.
Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria
November 13, 2026
The idiot has been trolling me ni o. Ṣe mo jo awon ebi e ni? Oloribu somebody. He even called me barren. Imagine!
Replying to @ToBiLeez @f___castle
Ah ah... This is my first time seeing you type like those of us to GBA LORI. 😂🤣🤣🤣
5
10
711
TóBi🎀 retweeted
This Is Suppose To Be A Political Gathering In Lagos, Nigeria
What Kind Of Political Gathering Encourages Its Members To Come With Machete? And After This So Called Political Gathering, Violence Started
I Think Yall Are Sleeping.
It’s About Time This Is Investigated & People Arrested @LagosPoliceNG @TunjiDisu1
TóBi🎀 retweeted
Vote wisely.
Vote President Ahmed Tinubu for 2nd term
God bless you. God bless Nigeria
TóBi🎀 retweeted
Today in Abuja, I was honoured with an award for my contributions and advocacy in music. I particularly like this award as it speaks to my versatility. Most grateful.
Abeg, wetin dey sup??? 🤔🤨😐
NDC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdulmumin Abdulsalami Resigns From Party
tvcnews.tv/ndc-deputy-nation…
1
292
TóBi🎀 retweeted
Let's do this:
Home and abroad, mention the best airline you ever flew by, and why.
Let's encourage those doing well.
This wahala no con too much like this? Ahhh... ADC and NDC I cover you with the blood of Jesus o 😑😑
EXCLUSIVE: Nafiu Bala's purported resignation letter submitted by ADC was fabricated, court rules
A federal high court in Abuja has declared fictitious a resignation letter allegedly signed by Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which the party relied on to argue that he voluntarily relinquished his position.
In a judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, Peter Lifu, presiding judge, declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and invalidated all decisions taken by the party’s caretaker committee, including the nomination of Atiku Abubakar as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
thecable.ng/exclusive-nafiu-…
🤯🤯🤯
I confuse!
2027: Former Obidient Movement Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko dumps Peter Obi for Adebayo
The former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has dumped Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, for the Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo
This comes as the SDP Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, announced Tanko as the coordinator of the party’s presidential campaign council on Wednesday.
Accordingly, Tanko, a key figure in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, will now coordinate support for Adebayo’s 2027 bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu
TóBi🎀 retweeted
VIDEO NEWS: First Lady Remi Tinubu receives Nigeria's Flamingos at the Presidential Villa on behalf of President Tinubu after their historic U-17 World Cup triumph
TóBi🎀 retweeted
Obingo wanted to take pictures with the flamingos. They said "No".
He is now all over the place barking like a bingo.
Pass me Ajinomoto, I need to cook Efo riro.
The one and only Oga MA @mikeachimugu01 🙌❤️. Misbehave? Fear no gree dem misbehave o... 😅😅
TóBi🎀 retweeted
From Reforms to Prosperity.
This is @officialABAT's promise from 2027 - 2031
Watch the Manifesto broken down. A new Nigeria is already here



























