President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has accused former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, of twice demolishing his company’s cement plant project in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area.
The project, an expansion of Dangote Cement’s operations, consists of two new production lines with a capacity of 6.0 million metric tons per annum. It is an addition to the Ibese plant in Yewa North LGA, which has been operational for over a decade. Construction of the Itori plant commenced on December 23, 2023, and is slated for completion by November 2026.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday, Dangote revealed that the company had initially abandoned the project due to its demolition under Amosun’s administration. However, he credited Abiodun’s pro-investment policies for their decision to resume construction.
“Our factory at Itori was pulled down twice. When we started the second time, they not only demolished the factory but also the fence, so we left. But right now, because of His Excellency, our governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, we are back. When you visit the factory, you will be surprised at what we have done,” Dangote stated.
Governor Abiodun, who inspected the site alongside Dangote, reinforced the claims, accusing Amosun’s administration of frustrating Dangote’s business efforts in the state on three occasions.
“The first time was by frustrating the construction of the refinery, a $20 billion investment that would have impacted the entire South West region. That refinery now employs around 10,000 people, with an additional 30,000 benefiting indirectly. We lost that,” Abiodun said.
“They further came here and demolished this place (Itori plant project) twice. You begin to wonder what informs such leadership decisions,” he added.
Dangote assured that upon completion, Ogun State’s total cement production capacity would reach approximately 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the highest cement-producing region in Africa.
“Ogun remains far ahead of other African countries in cement production, thanks to contributions from other manufacturers,” he said.
Dangote Cement currently leads the industry across Africa, with a total production capacity of 52.0 million metric tons per annum, 70% of which comes from Nigeria. The company’s Obajana plant in Kogi State, with a capacity of 16.25 million metric tons per annum, remains the largest in Africa.
He added that investments in cement and fertilizer manufacturing have made Nigeria self-sufficient in both products, with surplus production now being exported to earn foreign exchange.
