President Bola Tinubu has given approval for the commencement of commercial oil drilling in Ogun State, paving the way for the state to officially join Nigeria’s league of oil-producing states.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, made the disclosure on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and senior naval officers to the Government House in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
According to the governor, commercial oil exploration will begin at Tongeji Island in Eba, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, following the President’s directive. He described the development as a major economic milestone that would stimulate growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of residents in the state’s coastal communities.
Governor Abiodun also announced that President Tinubu has approved the immediate take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project, another long-delayed initiative located in Ogun Waterside. He said the President has shown strong personal interest in both the oil drilling project and the seaport, noting that discussions on Olokola have intensified in recent weeks.
He explained that the Olokola Deep Seaport, which will now be developed under the name Blue Marine Economic Zone, is expected to play a critical role in easing congestion at Lagos ports while opening up Ogun State as a major logistics and maritime hub. The governor added that the President has directed that construction activities on the port should be significantly advanced between now and next year.
“With the coastal road providing an alternative logistics corridor, the Olokola Port presents a strong opportunity to support national trade and economic expansion,” Abiodun said, adding that the project would unlock vast commercial and industrial opportunities for the state and the country at large.
The governor commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, noting that the presence of naval personnel would strengthen security, prevent cross-border infiltration from neighbouring Benin Republic, and safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity. He said his administration is also working to provide essential infrastructure and social amenities for island communities to support emerging economic activities.
Abiodun further praised the Nigerian Navy for its contribution to maintaining peace and security in Ogun State, stressing that collaboration among security agencies has helped sustain stability across the state.
In his remarks, Rear Admiral Mustapha described Ogun State as strategically important to Nigeria’s national security, particularly due to its coastal location and oil prospects. He disclosed that the naval outpost at Tongeji Island would be upgraded to a Forward Operations Base in response to the area’s growing economic and security significance.
He said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the Ogun State Government, adding that the Western Naval Command remains committed to securing Nigeria’s maritime borders and preventing criminal activities in the region.
