Ogun State’s ambition to become a major agro-processing and export hub is gaining momentum as new industries, warehouses, and logistics infrastructure rapidly take shape within the Industrial Platform located inside the Remo Free Trade Zone along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway.
During an inspection of the facility on Thursday, Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed that cargo operations at the Gateway International Airport are expected to commence within the next 30 to 45 days, with the first cargo aircraft from Europe anticipated to land at the airport once operations begin.
The governor explained that the Industrial Platform, Remo — the state’s Special Agro-Processing Zone — was designed to transform Ogun into a leading centre for processing agricultural products and exporting finished goods to international markets.
He also disclosed that the access road linking the Sagamu–Benin Expressway directly to the airport would soon be opened to the public, describing it as a critical piece of infrastructure built in line with global best practices for airport connectivity.
According to him, the road runs straight from the expressway to the airport and passes through the processing zone, allowing visitors and investors to witness the scale of activities already underway within the industrial cluster.
The project, which was conceived toward the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, was originally introduced to the Ogun State Government by the African Development Bank before evolving into the Industrial Platform now under development between Iperu and Ilishan.
Governor Abiodun expressed optimism that the first processing companies operating within the zone could be commissioned in the coming months, noting that a number of firms have already commenced construction of their facilities.
As part of the inspection, he toured a 6,800-square-metre warehouse currently under construction and commended the speed and scale of development taking place within the zone.
He said the administration deliberately created an integrated ecosystem where agricultural production and processing activities coexist within the same environment to improve efficiency and encourage value addition to farm produce.
The governor added that the free trade zone would operate with dedicated power supply, structured waste management systems, an independent administrative framework, and strong security architecture to support investors and industries within the zone.
He further revealed that the zone is expected to host what he described as the world’s largest cotton garment processing factory, a development projected to boost employment opportunities and expand industrial activity across Ogun State.
Explaining the concept behind the Special Agro-Processing Zone, the governor said the facility functions like a cluster of processing companies working together in one location to convert agro-raw materials into finished goods ready for distribution and export.
Governor Abiodun also noted that Ogun State partnered with a firm that has successfully delivered similar projects in Benin Republic, Lomé, and Côte d’Ivoire, a collaboration he described as the Ogun State–Arise partnership that birthed the Industrial Platform initiative.
He commended the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the federal ministries responsible for agriculture and industry, noting that large-scale economic projects such as the agro-processing zone thrive under sound macroeconomic policies.
According to the governor, when such policies are effectively implemented, they create employment, stimulate industrial growth, and ultimately improve economic prosperity for individuals and households.
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