Aheri Kingdom Supports Dangote's Olokola Return, Opposes City

The Aheri Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, expressed support for the return of Dangote Industries Limited to the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) but rejected plans for the proposed Dangote Industrial City. The Aheri Development Council, led by secretary Ayeoba Ige Asemudara, stated their commitment to resisting any attempts to acquire ancestral lands for the industrial project.

The Olokola Free Trade Zone was initiated in 2007 under the late Governor Olusegun Agagu, covering approximately 10,000 hectares along the coastal boundary of Ondo and Ogun states. The council welcomed genuine investments but raised concerns about the proposed Dangote Industrial City, which reportedly aims to cover about 29,250 hectares.

They criticized survey activities and crop enumeration occurring without adequate communication regarding the project details. The council also highlighted the exclusion of host community representatives from the technical committee set up by the state government, warning that this could exacerbate communication gaps.