Cargo operations are expected to begin at the Gateway International Airport within the next 30 to 45 days, with the first cargo aircraft arriving from Europe.
Governor Dapo Abiodun made this announcement during an inspection of ongoing work at the Industrial Platform, located within the Remo Free Trade Zone along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway.
The Industrial Platform, Remo, is a Special Agro-Processing Zone project situated between Iperu and Ilishan. Conceived toward the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative aims to promote agro-industrial development and position Ogun State as a major hub for processing and exports.
Governor Abiodun also revealed that the access road connecting the Sagamu–Benin Expressway directly to the airport will soon be opened to the public. He described the road as a vital infrastructure developed in line with global standards.
According to him, airport access roads should run straight from major highways to ensure smooth connectivity. He noted that the new road leads directly to the airport and passes through the processing zone, allowing visitors to observe the level of industrial activity within the area.
The governor explained that the concept was first introduced to his administration by the African Development Bank before evolving into what is now known as the Industrial Platform.
He expressed optimism that the first processing companies within the zone would be commissioned in the coming months, adding that several firms have already begun constructing their facilities.
During the visit, Governor Abiodun inspected a 6,800-square-metre warehouse currently under construction and praised the speed of development in the zone.
He stated that his administration intentionally designed the free trade zone as an integrated ecosystem where agricultural production and processing operate within the same environment to improve efficiency and increase value addition.
The zone, he said, will feature a dedicated power supply, waste management systems, an independent administrative structure, and strong security architecture.
The governor further disclosed that the free trade zone is expected to house what he described as the world’s largest cotton garment processing factory, a development projected to significantly enhance employment and industrial activity in the state.
Explaining the concept, he described a Special Agro-Processing Zone as a designated area focused on converting agricultural raw materials into finished products, likening it to a shopping mall filled with processing companies.
Governor Abiodun also highlighted Ogun State’s partnership with a firm experienced in executing similar projects in the Benin Republic, Lomé, Côte d’Ivoire, and other African nations. He described the collaboration, known as the Ogun State–Arise partnership, as the driving force behind the Industrial Platform.
Finally, he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support through the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Industry, stating that transformative initiatives like the free trade zone are made possible by sound macroeconomic policies.
He emphasized that when effectively implemented, such policies generate employment, boost industrial growth, and improve economic prosperity for households.