French Investors Eye Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport, Dry Port

...as former French Transport Minister Leads Talks on Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport Investment

The Ogun State Government is set to attract French investments in its transport infrastructure as the former French Minister of Transport, Mr. Djebbari Jean-Baptiste, expressed the interest of French investors in key projects, including the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Dry Port, Olokola Sea Port, and the railway system.

Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mr. Jean-Baptiste expressed his admiration for the infrastructural strides being made in the state.

“This is one of the several meetings I have had with the governor over the years. We discussed aviation-related items owing to the fact that the state is developing the Gateway International Airport, the Dry Port, and other major infrastructural projects related to transport,” he said.

He further emphasized the appeal of Ogun State to French investors: “We have many French operators who are involved in transportation, logistics, and aviation. There are many interested in investing in Nigeria and Ogun State because Ogun State is seen as a very dynamic and reliable partner.”

Mr. Jean-Baptiste also noted his previous engagements with the governor, including a meeting last December during the state visit of President Tinubu to President Macron in France. He stated, “I proposed to come and see how I could contribute to the amazing development in Ogun State in transport and aviation.”

During the two-day visit, the former minister and his team plan to tour the Gateway International Airport and assess opportunities regarding the Dry Port, Sea Port, and railway system. He remarked, “Your products are developing quickly, and the market demand is very high.”

Commending the leadership of Governor Abiodun, Mr. Jean-Baptiste described him as a visionary who has surrounded himself with capable individuals to achieve his goals. “It has been six years since the governor has been heading the state, and I can see that the changes are really massive and positive,” he added.

Governor Abiodun, in response, highlighted his administration’s multimodal transport master plan aimed at driving Ogun’s economy. 

He explained, “We took advantage of the rail infrastructure that the federal government has invested in; that is what informed our Gateway International Airport, the construction of our Dry Port, and our upcoming seaport.”

The governor elaborated on the progress of the Gateway International Airport, noting that its physical construction is complete, with the runway and control tower at 100% completion, while the terminal building is 90% finished. “Commercial operations would have started in the last quarter, but the navigational equipment like runway lights are yet to be installed,” he said.

Abiodun added that the airport is designed to be part of an ecosystem, featuring a Special Agro-Processing Zone and a Nigeria Customs and Excise Village to facilitate swift customs processing. “Our goal is to make it the best-equipped airport in Nigeria,” he affirmed.

The governor expressed optimism about the positive impact of these developments on Ogun’s economy, stating, “We believe that cargo destined for Ogun State or other states around can be put on the train and transported to Kajola and cleared there. It will make for a more efficient Tin Can and Apapa Ports and ease the troubles manufacturers here have experienced in the past.”