The Federal Government has appealed to residents and host communities in Ogun and Ondo states to support the proposed Dangote Industrial City and Deep Seaport project, describing it as a major infrastructure initiative expected to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and boost development in the affected areas.
The appeal was made during a combined Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) site visit to Ode-Omi Waterside Community in Ogun State and Araromi Community in Ondo State.
Representing the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, the Director of Assessment at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Rofikat Adebukunola Odetoro, commended Dangote Industries Limited for engaging host communities and complying with environmental assessment procedures ahead of the project’s implementation.
She said the assessment process demonstrated the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive stakeholder participation.
Odetoro urged community leaders and traditional rulers to ensure that women and children were adequately represented during consultations, noting that they stand to benefit from the employment opportunities and corporate social responsibility programmes associated with the project.
According to her, broad-based participation would help ensure that the development addresses the needs of all segments of the host communities.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement at Araromi Seaside Kingdom, the Managing Director of Infrastructure and Logistics at Dangote Industries Limited, Capt. Jamil Abubakar, assured residents that the company would maintain transparency and continuous engagement throughout the project’s execution.
He said the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, remained committed to promoting Africa’s economic self-sufficiency through strategic investments in critical infrastructure.
Abubakar disclosed that the proposed deep seaport at Araromi is expected to rank among the largest in the world and said the company was determined to work closely with host communities to ensure mutual benefits.
He added that Dangote had directed the project team to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs of host communities and begin providing critical interventions even before the project’s completion.
The Group Lead for Environment and Sustainability at Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Adeyemi Adun, explained that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was designed to establish baseline environmental and socio-economic data before construction begins.
According to him, the study will evaluate air quality, water resources, soil conditions and the socio-economic profile of the communities in line with the requirements of the Federal Ministry of Environment.
L-R: Director of Assessment, Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, Mrs. Rofikat Adebukunola Odetoro; Managing Director, Infrastructure & Logistics, Dangote Industries Limited, Capt. Jamil Abubakar, and the Chief Executive, Amiable Consulting & Logistics, Mrs. Aina Elizabeth Egharevba, on the way to the community engagement and sensitisation on the environmental, social impact of the proposed Dangote Industrial City/ Deep Seaport project at Ode-Omi, Ijebu Waterside LGA, Ogun State on Monday 29 June 2026
He assured residents that the project would deliver lasting socio-economic benefits, citing the company’s record of community development in other locations where it operates.
Also speaking, the Director of the Environmental Assessment Department in the Ondo State Ministry of Environment, Isaac Ojo, who represented the state commissioner, welcomed the commencement of the assessment process.
He described the exercise as transparent and inclusive, expressing confidence that the project would contribute significantly to the development of the host communities.
Traditional rulers also expressed support for the initiative.
The Alara of Araromi Seaside Kingdom, Oba Adeoloye Olawole, described Aliko Dangote as a visionary investor whose projects have contributed to development across Africa.
The monarch said the community was prepared to cooperate fully with the company, expressing optimism that the industrial city and deep seaport would accelerate economic growth and infrastructure development in the kingdom.
The three-day assessment exercise was attended by officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, representatives of the Ogun and Ondo State Ministries of Environment, local government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives and officials of Dangote Industries Limited.
At the end of the engagements in Ode-Omi and Araromi, stakeholders signed communiqués outlining their commitments toward the successful implementation of the project, while environmental consultants commenced field surveys as part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process.