Ogun State: A Hub of Investment Under Governor Dapo Abiodun's Leadership, with a $5 Million British Battery Recycling Plant on the Horizon

Ogun State: A Hub of Investment Under Governor Dapo Abiodun's Leadership, with a $5 Million British Battery Recycling Plant on the Horizon

Ogun State is steadily positioning itself as Nigeria's premier business and industrial hub, thanks to the concerted efforts of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun. His administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, business-friendly policies, and the cultivation of strategic international partnerships has resulted in an influx of significant investments into the state. One of the latest and most notable of these investments is the upcoming five-million-dollar British battery recycling plant, which will be the first of its kind in Africa.

This landmark project was announced during a visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Montgomery, who led officials of the British Commission to a meeting with Governor Abiodun in Abeokuta. The High Commissioner revealed that the recycling plant, currently in the final stages of planning, would bring cutting-edge technology and job opportunities to Ogun State, marking it as a leader in battery recycling on the continent.

"My brief visit to this state is about the deal put together for recycling, which is moving out of Lagos State and establishing a new plant here for recycling e-waste," said Montgomery. He noted that the collaboration between Ogun Invest and the State’s Bureau of Lands had been pivotal in making the deal a reality. The investment, totaling five million dollars, will contribute to the state’s industrial growth by manufacturing batteries and recycling them back into chemical form, a process that will be carried out for the first time in Africa.

This initiative is just one of many strategic moves Governor Abiodun has made to position Ogun State as the preferred destination for both local and international investors. His administration’s focus on infrastructure, particularly road networks and industrial parks, has created a conducive environment for industries to thrive. The governor has been particularly proactive in ensuring that bureaucratic hurdles are minimized and that investors can seamlessly acquire land and set up operations.

Ogun State, with its expansive tracts of land, abundant natural resources such as limestone, and proximity to gas pipelines from the Niger Delta, has become home to a host of manufacturing companies. Governor Abiodun's drive to improve the state’s transport infrastructure is further evidenced by the development of a comprehensive Transportation Master Plan and the construction of a cargo airport, initiatives that stemmed from the governor’s participation in a United Kingdom summit in 2020.

Agriculture also remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy, with Ogun playing a significant role in Nigeria’s food security. Governor Abiodun highlighted this during the meeting with the British delegation, noting the state’s vast potential for cultivating both food and cash crops. The state has also benefited from British expertise, with British International Investment already involved in one of Nigeria's leading cashew processing and export companies.

As Ogun State continues to grow, the United Kingdom remains a key partner. According to Mr. Montgomery, his country is eager to participate in Ogun’s development, particularly in areas such as energy, technology, tertiary education, and agricultural processing. British International Investment is already exploring opportunities in mass transit, offering technical assistance as Ogun tests its new transport systems.

Governor Abiodun’s administration has not only focused on business and industry; significant strides have been made in education and health, ensuring that the state’s development is holistic and benefits its citizens. The governor’s clear vision for Ogun as a progressive and forward-thinking state has helped it attract a range of international investments, making it the hub of business in Nigeria.

The partnership with the United Kingdom and the arrival of the British battery recycling company is just the latest example of how Ogun State is open for business. As Governor Abiodun noted, “We are open for business. Our administration has made the environment attractive. We have reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks to the barest minimum. We have made land acquisition seamless for investors. We have grown our economy.”

Indeed, Ogun State is not only growing its economy but solidifying its reputation as the destination of choice for investors in Nigeria. Governor Abiodun’s administration is creating a future where Ogun is recognized not just for its rich cultural heritage but for its dynamic and investor-friendly environment. With initiatives like the British battery recycling plant, the state is on track to become a leading industrial powerhouse in Africa.

*Tayo Mabeweje*

*Media Consultant to the Executive Governor of Ogun State*