Governor Dapo Abiodun announced on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu has granted approval for the initiation of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island, situated in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
During a courtesy visit from Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, the governor expressed that this development is poised to position Ogun among Nigeria's oil-producing regions for the first time.
Tongeji Island is a relatively small island located along waterways near the border with the Republic of Benin. Reports suggest that it is more accessible by boat to Port-Novo in Benin Republic than to major cities in Nigeria like Badagry, located in Lagos State. Access to the island has historically been challenging via road from the Nigerian mainland.
This island spans approximately 200 hectares and has a minor resident population. Due to its location close to Benin Republic, locals have previously needed to travel across the border for essential services, including healthcare, because of insufficient infrastructure on the island.
The island also known for being isolated, features water and mangrove plant life and is believed to contain crude oil reserves that have recently sparked government interest in commercial extraction.
Additionally, the Ogun State Government, in a message on its X page, quoted Governor Abiodun stating that President Tinubu has approved the long-awaited commencement of the Olokola Deep Seaport project, located in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
The governor indicated that the seaport, which has been rebranded as the Blue Marine Economic Zone, marks a vital advancement intended to reduce congestion in the existing ports of Lagos and to unlock substantial economic potential for coastal communities within Ogun State and beyond.
He further observed that the federal government has demonstrated significant interest in both initiatives, with ongoing discussions aimed at expediting their execution.
"Governor @DapoAbiodunCON praised President Tinubu’s firm commitment to both projects, revealing that discussions are underway to accelerate their process," the statement conveyed.
Governor Abiodun also acknowledged the Nigerian Navy for enhancing its operational presence at Tongeji Island, establishing it as a Forward Operations Base. He described this initiative as essential for bolstering border security and protecting emerging economic resources in the vicinity.
In remarks during the visit, Mr. Mustapha reaffirmed the strategic significance of Ogun State to the nation’s security landscape, particularly due to its coastal and border positioning. He committed to maintaining a collaborative relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the Ogun State Government to enhance security and support ongoing economic development efforts.
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