🧵 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.

The Application Portal is now officially open today 15th of October, for the Pitch Competition at The National MSME Conference 2026, with a grand prize of ₦30 million for three winners. Application closes on the 22nd of October. Make hay while the sun shines! @SMEDANGov @woye1

All of you Team "I won but no evidence", come closer o, come and read gist 😀😀. Continue to peddle lies without evidence o, una eye go clear 😛🤭 "Blogger Remanded In Kirikiri Over Cyberstalking After Apology To Billionaire Bizwoman Folashade Okoya" ***************** "Days after blogger Ifeoma Nwafor tendered a public apology to Billionaire Bizwoman Mrs. Folashade Okoya for posting false statements about her, the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered her remand at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged cyberstalking. Ifeoma was accused of using her Instagram account to publish offensive, false and malicious stories against the billionaire businesswoman. She pleaded not guilty when arraigned. The court granted her ₦3 million bail with two sureties in like sum. One surety must be a blood relative, and both must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. They are required to present three years’ tax clearance, NIN, and photographs. Until Ifeoma meets the bail conditions, the judge ordered that she be remanded at Kirikiri. The case was adjourned to November 8, 2026 for trial." #sdk #stelladimokokorkusblog #stelladimokokorkus

You defenders of Tobi Adegboyega, come closer... Lol. And those of you defending scammers and thieves, keep at it, keep encouraging them. When their cups get filled up, a book of remembrance shall be opened concerning them. Cc: @olusegini @AyoOguntade @Ayodele10824524 @oMoTonsore