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Dangote Cement Creates 50 Agric Entrepreneurs

Dangote Cement Creates 50 Agric Entrepreneurs
Determined to support the governments in its food security effort, the Dangote Cement Plc has launched a Farmers Empowerment Programme in Benue State.
 The initiative is aimed at enabling 50 farmers to produce subsistence and cash crops in commercial quantity from Benue State, considered to be the food basket of the nation.
 The programme is coming barely two months after the company empowered businesswomen in Gboko host communities of the State with cash grants, thus deepening business activities in the State. Earlier, the company had increased bursary payments to students of host communities by more than 100 per cent.
Speaking Thursday at the launch of the Farmers Empowerment Programme, General Manager Social Performance, Johnson Kor, described the programme as ‘historic and innovative.’
He said the beneficiaries were selected from the company’s host communities of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to him, the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the six catchment areas of the Local Government.
Mr. Kor said the projects have been earmarked for the communities as captured in the extant Community Development Agreement (CDA), adding that the contents of the CDA are progressively being executed.
“Today we are witnessing an historic occasion in our journey of mutual development. Farmers Empowerment Programme is the first programme to be launched since we signed the CDA with the immediate host communities in December 2024,” he said.
In his speech, Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Munusamy Murugan, said the company will also support farmers with fertilizers, Agro chemicals, Knapsack Sprayers and various types of seedlings.
Mr. Murugan who was represented by Head of Production Department, Engr Soom Kiishi said: “This is the first batch but certainly just the beginning, and certainly not the end. We plan it to be an annual event, but the choice of the Farmers programme may change, depending on the choice of the benefiting communities.”
He said other economic empowerment programmes are lined up in the coming weeks.
“The Youth Empowerment  Programme will soon be launched, and selected beneficiaries will receive training in Welding & Fabrication, and Solar Electrical Installation from Professional personnels,” he added.
He said the company’s scholarship scheme cuts across students from various disciplines and tertiary institutions.
In his address to the communities, Consultant from Abbass Corporate Services, Dr. Ahemen Aondoaver Samuel, advised the beneficiaries to make use of what he described as a rare opportunity from the Dangote Cement Plc.
The Consultant said the company’s effort will help transform beneficiaries into entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and enable them to support the government’s food security effort.
Responding, a member of the community, Kwaghgba Isaac, described the Farmers Empowerment Programme as a historic and huge intervention from the company, noting that the effort will not only boost subsistence farming, but help feed the nation.
He urged members of the communities to sustain the peaceful coexistence currently being enjoyed with the company.
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PRESS RELEASE

Dangote Cement Ibese trains Host Community leaders for optimal performance

Dangote Cement Ibese trains Host Community leaders for optimal performance
Mr. Aina Olugbenga, GM HAM/Admin, Dangote Cement Plc. Ibese (standing) delivering his opening remarks while Mrs. Olalode Akiode, representative of Yewa North Local Government (left), Mr. Ademola Ojolowo, Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Ibese Plant (right), listen at the Capacity Building Workshop for Host Community Representatives held at Ibese, Ogun State.

As part of its commitment to strengthening local content and community engagement, Dangote Cement Plc., Ibese Plant, has held its 2025 annual capacity development training for representatives of its host communities.

Themed “Engagement and Advocacy Skills: Critical Tools for Community Representatives,” the workshop brought together a broad representation of stakeholder groups from the host communities as well as Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Governments, reflecting the Plant’s inclusive approach to community engagement and development.

Declaring the workshop open, Mr. Aina Olugbenga, Head, Human Asset Management and Administration, commended the community representatives for their dedication and selfless service which has paved the way for peace being enjoyed by all stakeholders in the area.

He encouraged them to use the skills and other key learnings acquired from the workshop to not only benefit the communities they represented but also to foster mutual growth between them and the Plant

In her remarks, Mrs. Ololade Akiyode, Director of Community Development, Yewa North Local Government, urged participants to continue to adopt dialogue and collaborative approach in relating with the Company.

She described the relationship between Ibese Plant and its host communities/local governments as “a model of sustainable development driven by effective engagement, understanding and collaboration”.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hon. Dayo Ogunyinka expressed appreciation to the Company for organizing the workshop. He reaffirmed the commitment of the community representatives to continued, efficient, and selfless representation that supports the well-being of both the communities and the Plant.

Not less than 50 community representatives including women and youth as well as government officials participated in the workshop

It would recall that Dangote Cement’s Ibese plant runs capacity training and empowerment programmes for youths and other population segments in its host communities.

These programmes aim to accelerate social and economic development by providing skills training in areas like domestic electrical installation, catering, tailoring, and more, with the goal of reducing unemployment, improving living standards, and fostering self-sufficiency.

Key aspects of the programmes include Skills Acquisition, which focuses on providing practical skills training to enhance employability and entrepreneurial potential; Economic Empowerment, in which trainees receive start-up kits with tools and equipment to help them establish their own businesses after completing the program and Community Development, which is aimed at improving the overall socio-economic conditions of the host communities by reducing unemployment and poverty.

Others are programmes which focus Sustainable Development and align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty eradication, zero hunger, and sustainable cities and communities.

In addition to the skills training, Dangote Cement provides scholarships to brilliant and indigent students from the host communities. It invests in training to enhance the capacity of community leaders and representatives for conflict resolution and equip the community residents to reducing unemployment among the youth and improve the general standard of living in the host communities.

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Dangote Cement Deepens Government-Community Engagements In Kogi

Dangote Cement Deepens Government-Community Engagements In Kogi
As part of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festivities, the Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, has taken significant steps to reinforce its partnerships with government authorities and host communities in Kogi State.
To deepen these relationships, the Plant Director, Nawabuddin Azad, said the company was scaling up its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts around its catchment areas.
Engr. Azad made this disclosure when he visited the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area of the State, Abdullahi Adamu.
The Plant Director said the company has executed several social projects as stipulated in the mutually agreed Community Development Agreement (CDA), adding that the company was sustaining the tempo.
According to him, the company was desirous of deepening its collaboration with the Local and the State Governments to enable it to sustain its job creation effort and infrastructural development in the State.
“Our strategy focuses on creating sustainable livelihoods, while addressing the unique needs of each host community,” Engr Azad said.
He commended the chairman for his numerous interventions, and for ensuring that peace prevails in the company’s catchment areas.
He said the cement company has contributed enormously to creating social and economic balance for Kogi State and Nigeria.
In his response, Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Comrade Abdullahi Adamu described the Dangote Cement Plc at Obajana as a national treasure that must be protected through collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, most importantly, the host communities.
He urged the host communities to be peaceful and law abiding.
Meanwhile, Engr Azad also paid a courtesy visit to Apata and Obajana Plant Communities.
He thanked the monarchs for their sustained support to the company, saying the relationship is mutually beneficial.
In his response, the Olu of Apata HRH Oba (Dr.) Fredrick D. Balogun commended the Plant Director for his foresightedness and being very supportive.
The Bajana of Obajana, HRH Idowu Isenibi thanked Engr Azad for his numerous supports, pledging that his community will continue to be the Ambassador of the Dangote Cement.
A statement from the company said several social programmes have been executed in the past few years.
Some of the projects include: construction of multimillion naira hospital at Iwaa, women empowerment programmes, scholarship schemes, solar empowerment programme, poultry empowerment programme, provision of tricycles, road construction, water supply, electrification, construction of blocks of classrooms, empowerment of corporative societies and farmer empowerment programme, among several others.
The statement said the Obajana plant is the largest cement factory in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrialization.
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PRESS RELEASE

Dangote Cement wins ‘Dividend Paying Company of the Year Award’

Dangote Cement wins ‘Dividend Paying Company of the Year Award’
L - R; Dangote Cement plc,(DCP) Yuwana Keri, Legal Department; Kemi Ogunmolu; DCP Corporate Finance Department, Temilade Aduroja; Group Head, Investor Relations, Dangote Industries Limited, With the (DCP) Dividend Paying Company of the award; Edward Imoedemhe; Acting Company Secretary, Dangote Cement Plc, Conrad Kakulu; DCp Legal Department; at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025; in Lagos on Friday; 23 May 2025;
Africa’s largest cement producer, Dangote Cement has been named the Dividend Paying Company of the Year at the inaugural Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards, held weekend, in Lagos.
According to the organisers, the awards’ ceremony, themed “Capital Market as a Catalyst for Nigerian Economic Transformation,” celebrated companies making significant contributions to the country’s economic progress.
Dangote Cement was awarded the Dividend Paying Company of the Year, ahead of other nominees including Nigerian Aviation Company and Airtel Africa—recognizing its record of solid shareholder returns. The company has established a strong reputation for rewarding its shareholders with consistent and robust dividends.
Speaking on the award, Group Head, Investor Relations, Dangote Group, Temilade Aduroja, said “Our commitment to paying strong dividends reflects our robust financial performance, commitment to value creation, and dedication to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders. It reinforces trust, rewards long-term investment, and signals discipline in capital allocation.”
A review of Dangote Cement’s annual reports and accounts indicated that since 2018, the company has paid above N10 per share as dividend, increasing the payout to N16 per share and sustaining it through 2022. In 2023, the dividend rose to N20 and was later raised to N30 for the 2023 financial year.
The board for the financial year ended December 31,2024 proposed a dividend of N30 per share subject to the approval of Shareholders.
It should be noted that Dangote Cement recently emerged as the Platinum Award Winner of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and NGX Regulation Limited (NGX REGCO) Corporate Reporting Award. Organised by ICAN-NGX REGCO, the event celebrated excellence in corporate transparency and governance, with other notable winners including MTN Nigeria, Seplat Energy, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, GTCO, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, and International Breweries.
According to the Corporate Reporting Award guidelines issued by ICAN-NGX REGCO, thirty listed companies were evaluated across three key categories with marks allotted for compliance. The categories and allotted marks are financial reporting with 35 percent, corporate governance allotted 30 percent and sustainability reporting allotted 35 percent. The awards were ranked in Platinum, Gold and Silver categories.
Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with 52.0Mta capacity across Africa. A fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer, with a production capacity of 35.25Mta in its home market, Nigeria. Obajana plant in Kogi state, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with
16.25Mta of capacity across five lines; Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12Mta; Gboko plant in Benue state has 4Mta; and Okpella plant in Edo state has 3Mta. The company is building a new six million tons per annum cement plant in Itori, Ogun State.
Through recent investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and has transformed the nation into an exporter of cement and clinker, serving neighbouring countries.
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Dangote Cement Ibese Banishes 3-Year Blackout, Lights Up 21 Communities in Yewaland

Dangote Cement Ibese Banishes 3-Year Blackout, Lights Up 21 Communities in Yewaland
L-R , Oba Gabriel Ogunyomi, Onimoto of Imoto; Member, Ogun state House of Assembly, Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju Awoso; Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Roy K. Uttam; HRM, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero, Aboro of Ibese Land; HRM. Oba Lukmon Kunoye, Olu of Imasayi; HRM, Oba Daniel Abayomi Salako, Aboro of Iboroland; Vice Chairman of Yewa North local Government, Hon. Joseph Ilori; HRM, Oba Gabriel Ogunji, Onijomi of Ijomi; HRM, Oba Basiru Oyero, Onijole of Ijole; Adetoro Hakeem, Representative of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Ogun state Vice Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kehinde Damilola, during the donation by Dangote Cement Ibese Plant of multi-million Electrical materials to reconnec 21 Host communities to national grid.

…donates electrical materials for electricity restoration

It was jubilation galore in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State following the donation of multi-million Naira electrical materials by Dangote Cement, Ibese plant to end over 3 years’ total blackout and get 21 communities affected by a prolonged power outage reconnected.

In an unprecedented Social Investment gesture, management of the Ibese Cement plant moved to support the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) with all the items needed to reconnect the communities back to the national grid out of empathy for the affected communities.

Traditional rulers from the affected towns were full of praises to the Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote for approving over N100million to procure the needed electrical items as they took delivery and in turn handed over to the IBEDC officials.

Lauding the rare gesture by Dangote Cement Ibese Plant to intervene for the second time by providing the electrical items, the community leaders enjoined the IBEDC to deliver speedily on the light reconnection, in view of the plant’s donation. Pressured by the communities’ leaders, the IBEDC assured that it would complete the reconnection of all the affected communities within four to six weeks from the hand-over date.

Speaking while handing over the electrical materials within the premises of Ibese Police Station, Ibese Plant Director, Roy Uttam said the donation was part of efforts made by the cement plant management to halt the prolonged blackout in the affected towns and villages, and advised the people to ensure the electrical installations are protected.

Uttam pointed out that the Plant management had invested millions of Naira to purchase the electrical materials in the spirit of good neighbourliness. He said, “Otherwise it should be the job of the IBEDC to provide the materials as a business venture that would be collecting money from the customers after reconnecting them.”

“The management of Dangote Cement Plc is donating the electrical materials to close out the lingering power outage in the affected communities which have been in darkness for years due to vandalisation of cables and other jawa togel installations by unscrupulous elements”, he added.

The Ibese Plant Director further explained that the decision to intervene was borne out of genuine care for the people and the desire to help mitigate the negative impact of the outage on socio-economic activities of the people. He reiterated the cement company’s commitment to the sustainable development of its host communities and continued collaboration on initiatives geared towards the general wellbeing of the people. “We cherish living happily with our communities,” he said.

One after another, traditional rulers from the affected communities eulogised the Dangote Cement Ibese plant management for their efforts to ensure that all the electrical materials were finally procured and donated to the people just as they had promised.

Olu of Imasayi, Oba Lukman Kuoye described the material donation as the result of some positive engagements the management of Ibese Plant had with various interest groups especially the communities and the IBEDC on the way out of the protracted blackout.

“We thank God it is a reality today that we are on the way to getting reconnected to national grid after over three years in darkness. We want to thank Dangote Cement Ibese Plant for this development. We are not taking this for granted.

“Dangote Cement is the only transformer that is illuminating the Yewa communities and Ogun State in general with its CSR projects. The management did not even consider the IBEDC’s inertia but still went ahead to donate materials that are supposed to be provided by the distribution company”, he enthused.

In his own remark, the Aboro of Ibeseland, Oba Rotimi Mulero thanked Dangote Cement and the Chairman, Aliko Dangote for always rising to the task of helping the communities, saying the provision of the electrical materials would go a long way to further cement the existing cordial relationship between the company and the communities.

The monarch promised that the communities would do everything possible to ensure the protection of the electricity infrastructure when installed and warned that the people would not take kindly with vandals any longer

Member representing the Communities at the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju expressed the constituents’ appreciation and that of Ogun State House of Assembly to the management of Dangote Cement for assisting the people to address the lingering blackout in the communities.

Said he; “I will take this back to the Speaker and other House members that Dangote has done as it has promised since we have invited them on this before. We thank you, and let me also assure you that we will make sure that IBEDC plays its own part to give our people electricity.”

The executive members of Ogun West District of National Youth Council, who witnessed the donation of the materials, hailed Dangote Cement for bailing out the communities. The Executives then presented letter of appreciation to the management of the cement Plant for the good gesture.

President of the Youth Council for Ogun West, Kehinde Damilola, recalled how the Council members had planned to protest to the office of IBEDC over the persistent blackout but had to soft-pedal following promises by Dangote Cement that it would help provide materials.

Receiving the materials on behalf of the management of IBEDC, Technical Engineer for the Sango Business Hub, Engr. Ayodeji Taiwo, thanked Dangote for the provisions. He assured the gathered stakeholders of speedy action by the electricity distribution company to facilitate quick reconnection of the communities within timelines.

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Dangote Cement is the Platinum winner of ICAN, NGX’s Corporate Reporting Award

Dangote Cement is the Platinum winner of ICAN, NGX’s Corporate Reporting Award
Legal and Regulatory Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Tioluwani Ajani; Head, Financial Control & Reporting Nigeria, Dangote Cement Plc, Ignatius Ediale;  Acting Company Secretary and General Counsel, Dangote Cement Plc, Edward Imoedemhe; Legal & Compliance Manager, Dangote Cement Plc, Portia Esangbedo; Legal & Compliance Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Conrad Kakulu display the Corporate Reporting Award won by Dangote Cement Plc (Platinum Category) at the 2025 ICAN/NGX Corporate Reporting Award, held in Lagos on April 15, 2025

For its excellence in corporate transparency and governance, Dangote Cement Plc has been honoured as the Platinum winner of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and NGX Regulation Limited (NGX REGCO)’s Corporate Reporting Award for the financial year ending 2023.

Organised by ICAN-NGX REGCO, the event was meant to celebrate excellence in corporate transparency and governance. It was a moment of positive appraisal for the Cement company’s adherence to corporate governance with other winners comprising of MTN Nigeria, Seplat Energy, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, GTCO, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, and International Breweries.

In the Corporate Reporting Award guidelines issued by ICAN-NGX REGCO, thirty listed companies were evaluated across three key categories with marks allotted for compliance. The categories and allotted marks are; financial reporting taking 35 percent, corporate governance allotted 30 percent and sustainability reporting accounting for 35 percent.  The awards were ranked in Platinum, Gold and Silver categories.

Dangote Cement, according to the Assessment Panel, excelled in all the assessment parameters as it emerged the platinum award winner, MTN won Gold and Seplat Energy carted home the Silver award.

President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Davidson Alaribe, the platinum award is conferred upon the overall top-performing company across all three categories. This prestigious recognition is reserved for an organisation that demonstrates excellence in corporate reporting, effectively addressing all key elements evaluated.

He explained that the final score is derived from a combination of weighted averages and a scoring matrix based on the rigorous and independent evaluations of individual assessors.

Said he; “This award underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable corporate practices within, the Nigeria Capital Market.

“The demand for corporate entities to disclose their environment, social and governance (ESG) impact beyond the confines of their traditional financial reporting has grown exponentially in recent years. The shift reflects a global call for greater transparency, accountability, and sustainability in business practices.”

He then described the honourees as exemplary, stating that their achievements reflect a commitment to the highest standards in corporate reporting. According to him, they’ve gone beyond compliance to set a benchmark for trust, growth, and sustainability in Nigeria’s financial landscape.

In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer, NGX Regulation Limited, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo described the award as the celebration of outstanding achievements in corporate reporting among the listed companies over the past year and that it has continued to underscore the commitment to promoting excellence and transparency in financial reporting.

According to him, effective corporate reporting is vital for fostering trust and accountability in the capital market as it enhances the investors’ confidence and promotes best practices within the industry.

Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with 52.0Mta capacity across Africa. A fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer, with a production capacity of 35.25Mta in its home market, Nigeria.  Obajana plant in Kogi state, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with 16.25Mta of capacity across five lines; Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12Mta; Gboko plant in Benue state has 4Mta; and Okpella plant in Edo state has 3Mta. Through recent investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and has transformed the nation into an exporter of cement and clinker, serving neighbouring countries.

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DCP Zambia bags three sustainability awards

DCP Zambia bags three sustainability awards

Dangote Cement Zambia, a subsidiary of Dangote Cement Plc has bagged three awards at the 6th national Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Sustainability Awards held in Lusaka, the Zambian capital.

 

During the awards organised by CSR Network Zambia, the company carted home the Food Security Initiative Award in the Excellence in Agriculture category, the Best Waste Recycling Initiative Award in the Environmental Sustainability category, and the Mental Healthcare Award in the Excellence in the Workplace category.

The award ceremony with the theme Driving Sustainable Impact through Innovation place held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka.  The event saw the participation from the country’s over 60 major corporate organizations celebrating outstanding impactful CSR & Sustainability initiatives.

 

CSR Network Zambia’s Executive Director, Lee Muzala, commended Dangote Cement Zambia for its outstanding contributions to sustainable development and community empowerment. He stated, “Dangote Cement Zambia has demonstrated exceptional commitment to driving positive change in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and workplace well-being. These awards are a testament to their dedication to creating a lasting impact in Zambia.”

 

Receiving the award, Head Environment and Social Performance (Sustainability Lead) Dangote Cement Zambia, Víctor Mpundu said, “We are deeply honoured to receive these prestigious awards. They reflect our unwavering commitment to sustainability and our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. At Dangote Cement, we believe that sustainable development is not just a responsibility but a core value that drives our operations.”

 

These awards are a significant milestone for Dangote Cement Zambia, highlighting the company’s leadership in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. They underscore the company’s efforts to promote food security through agricultural support, environmental conservation through innovative waste recycling initiatives, and employee well-being through mental health and wellness programs.

 

The recognition not only reinforces Dangote Cement Zambia’s position as a socially responsible corporate citizen but also serves as a motivation to continue driving impactful initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of Zambia.

 

Dangote Cement Plant, Zambia, located in Ndola, is a 1.5mta capacity fully integrated plant and part of Dangote Cement Group. In addition, Dangote Cement has operations in Cameroon (1.5Mta clinker grinding), Congo (1.5Mta), Ghana (2.0Mta clinker grinding and import), Ethiopia (2.5Mta), Senegal (1.5Mta), Sierra Leone (0.5Mta import), South Africa (2.8Mta), Tanzania (3.0Mta).

 

Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with 52.0Mta capacity across Africa. A fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer, with a production capacity of 35.25Mta in its home market, Nigeria.  Obajana plant in Kogi state, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with 16.25Mta of capacity across five lines; Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12Mta; Gboko plant in Benue state has 4Mta; and Okpella plant in Edo state has 3Mta.

 

Through recent investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and has transformed the nation into an exporter of cement and clinker, serving neighbouring countries.

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Abiodun’s Vision, Policies Brought me Back to Ogun – Dangote

Abiodun's Vision, Policies Brought me Back to Ogun - Dangote

…reconstructs Itori cement plant, to build the largest port at Olokola.

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has stated that his company decided to return and invest in Ogun State because of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration’s vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting investors, as well as the investor-friendly climate that exists in the state.

Dangote, who stated this on Monday during a courtesy visit to the governor in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said Ogun State is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria, positioning itself as the manufacturing ‘bedrock’ of Nigeria.

He said: “I would especially like to commend, in a special way, my good friend and brother, Your Excellency, the governor of Ogun State, for your vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting enterprises through immense support for the private sector, which is now attracting investors.

“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.

“We had earlier abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ), but because of your policies and investor-friendly environment, I want to say we are back and will work with the state government to return to Olokola, and plans are underway to construct the largest port in the country,” he pledged.

Giving an update on the company’s ongoing projects in the state, Alhaji Aliko Dangote said two new lines with a capacity of 6.0 million metric tons per annum for the cement plant have been constructed at Itori, while the 12 million metric tons per annum cement plant is also located at Ibeshe.

Upon completion, the Chief Executive assured, the total capacity of the company’s cement plants in the state would be in the neighborhood of 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the highest cement-producing state or region in Africa.

“With the contributions of other cement producers in the state, Ogun remains far ahead of other countries across Africa in terms of cement production,” he said.

Dangote Cement, according to the Dangote Group President, is the leading cement producer in Africa with a capacity of 52.0 million metric tons per annum across the African continent.

He added that 70 percent of the production is carried out in Nigeria, with the Obajana plant in Kogi State accounting for 16.25 million metric tons per annum, the largest in Africa.

He said investment in the manufacturing of the product has made the nation self-sufficient in cement, just as the country is now self-sufficient in fertilizer, with the surplus going to the export market, thus earning the nation the needed foreign exchange.

While noting that the company’s target is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in whatever it consumes, Alhaji Dangote informed that the company is currently meeting domestic demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from its 650,000 barrels per day refinery at Ibeju-Lekki, as well as refined aviation fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Nigeria, he said, is a growing economy; hence the need for private companies to complement government efforts, assuring that his company would continue to demonstrate its belief in the nation and its people by making investments targeted at transforming the nation’s economy.

He appreciated traditional rulers and the people of Itori for their support and partnership, which enabled the smooth and speedy take-off of the cement plant, adding that the encouragement from the people of Yewaland had fostered smooth operations, assuring continued adherence to its Corporate Social Responsibilities to the host communities.

Responding, Governor Abiodun described the day the Dangote Refinery groundbreaking was performed in Lagos as “the day of heartbreak for the sons and daughters of Ogun State as they watched helplessly on television,” saying it was an indication that the project had left Olokola.

He said: “I want to thank you for coming back to Ogun State and also for your belief and trust in your country, Nigeria. I want to thank you for all that you have done, the number of people you have employed, and the impact you continue to make not just in this state, but in Nigeria as a whole.

“The way you selflessly continue to promote this country all over the world, we can’t thank you enough. Your life and story continue to be an inspiring narrative for all young men. You have excelled in everywhere you touch; you have the Midas touch.

“These are indeed giant strides. For us in Ogun State, we welcome your return to the state. Today is a historic day, March 17, 2025, the same March when you did the groundbreaking in Lagos for the refinery, and you are now coming back in the month of March to Ogun State.

“Not only have you chosen to complete Itori, but you have also chosen to come back and develop the biggest port in Nigeria. For this, I thank you.”

Abiodun emphasized that with the establishment of the Itori cement plant, proposed to produce six million metric tons of cement per annum, and the existing Ibeshe plant, producing 12 million metric tons, cement production in the state would total 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the largest cement producer in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

The governor lauded the company for not shirking its Corporate Social Responsibilities to the host communities, just as it is currently constructing the Inter-change-Papalato-Ilaro road, assuring that his administration is ready to work with the company for the good of the state and the nation as a whole.