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Railways, Cement and the Future of Ogun State’s Infrastructure

Railways, Cement and the Future of Ogun State’s Infrastructure

By Bayo Orebiyi

The story of Ogun State is, in many ways, the story of Nigeria’s industrial backbone. From Sagamu to Ibeshe, Papalanto to Ewekoro, and now Itori, Ogun has quietly become the cement capital of West Africa. Dangote Cement, with its 12 million metric tons per annum facility in Ibeshe and another 6 million metric-ton plant rising in Itori, dominates the landscape. Lafarge, with plants in Ewekoro and Sagamu, contributes an additional 4.5 million tons each year. Together, these giants account for over 20 million tons of cement—enough to build Nigeria’s cities and even feed export markets.

This industrial boom is commendable, but it comes with a steep cost, which is: The relentless pounding of Ogun State roads by thousands of heavy-duty trucks. Anyone who has driven the Ilaro–Owode road, the Sagamu axis, or the 70-kilometer Abeokuta–Ifo–Ota–Lagos expressway knows the story too well. Despite the commendable efforts of Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration in reconstructing key highways, many roads barely survive under the weight of cement trucks before they begin to crumble again. The newly reconstructed Ilaro–Owode road is already showing distress.

The impact is not just financial but human. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians face daily risks from long convoys of overloaded trucks. Accidents involving Dangote and Lafarge trucks, though sometimes inevitable, have become far too frequent. Lives are lost, businesses disrupted, and infrastructure prematurely destroyed.

Yet, I must be clear, this is not a call to vilify Dangote or Lafarge. On the contrary, I applaud their vision and investments. Aliko Dangote has built Africa’s largest industrial empire, creating thousands of jobs, and Lafarge has indeed contributed decades of expertise to Nigeria’s growth. But with great industrial capacity comes an equally great responsibility to host communities.

Railways as Ogun’s Relief Valve

When I saw Alhaji Aliko Dangote on TVC News proudly announcing that the new Itori plant would focus solely on exports, I could not help but think of the cumulative impact on Ogun’s already overburdened roads. More plants mean more trucks, and more trucks mean more road carnage.

But there is another way forward – The Railway. On August 17, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), revealed that cement had successfully been transported from Papalanto in Ogun to Moniya in Ibadan. This achievement, part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, demonstrates that rail freight is not just possible but practical. It builds on the revival of the Lagos–Ibadan standard-gauge line, initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Imagine if this model were expanded, instead of 4,000 trucks pounding Ogun’s highways each day, cement could move efficiently by rail to distribution hubs across Nigeria. Not only would this save billions in road maintenance, it would also save lives, cut emissions, and ensure smoother logistics for manufacturers.

A Partnership Model for Industry and NRC

The solution is not to build more roads—roads cannot outpace the wear and tear of cement trucks. Rather, Dangote and Lafarge should work with the NRC to create dedicated rail spurs from their plants directly into the national network. From these spurs, regional depots could be established in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and beyond, each fed by rail, not trucks.

This approach is not unprecedented. In South Africa, Transnet partners with mining companies to move bulk commodities by rail. In Europe, freight corridors serve entire industrial clusters. Nigeria can and must replicate these models if it wants Ogun to remain competitive without collapsing under its own weight.

Government as Enabler

The Ogun State government has shown admirable foresight in infrastructure development. From the Gateway International Airport, now completed and recently approved for commercial flights, to the revival of the Olokola Deep Sea Port plan in Ogun Waterside, the Abiodun administration is clearly focused on building an interconnected transport ecosystem. The APC-led governments in Abuja and Abeokuta have laid a foundation for multi-modal transportation, and this must now be leveraged.

The state government, working with the federal authorities, should create incentives for industries that adopt rail freight as their primary mode of transport. Just as manufacturers receive tax relief for new investments, companies that shift tonnage from road to rail could benefit from logistics tax credits or regulatory support.

Beyond Cement: A Broader Vision

While cement dominates Ogun’s industrial map, it is not the only player. The state also hosts agro-processing companies, consumer goods factories in Agbara, and emerging tech clusters. These industries also depend heavily on trucks for distribution. If rail corridors are extended, they too can benefit. Ogun could evolve into Nigeria’s logistics hub, where goods move seamlessly by rail, road, sea, and air. The Gateway Airport will handle passengers and light cargo; Olokola will manage maritime trade; rail will bear the bulk of heavy freight. This vision is within reach—but only if we make deliberate choices now.

Safety and Responsibility

Even as we build infrastructure, there are immediate steps industry leaders must take. Random alcohol and drug testing for truck drivers, stricter safety protocols, and investment in driver training should be standard. These are not penalties but safeguards—for companies, communities, and consumers alike.

Ultimately, the call here is not adversarial but collaborative. Ogun State cannot shoulder the burden of industrial growth alone. The cement industry cannot prioritize profit without considering sustainability. The federal government cannot build rail lines without ensuring industries use them.

The Road Ahead

The question is not whether Ogun can handle more cement plants, more exports, or more trucks. The question is whether we will allow growth to destroy the very infrastructure meant to sustain it.

If we choose the railway, we choose sustainability, safety, and shared prosperity. If we choose business-as-usual trucking, we condemn our roads, our people, and our future to unnecessary hardship.

The foundations have been laid—by the Buhari administration’s railway revival, by Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, and by Abiodun’s forward-looking infrastructure projects. What remains is for industry to match policy with responsibility.

If Ogun State gets this right, it will not only protect its roads but also set a national example: that industrial growth and sustainable infrastructure can, indeed, travel the same track.

*Bayo Orebiyi, a Public Administration Expert, writes from Yewa-South Local Government, Ogun State.

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By Bayo Orebiyi The story of Ogun State is, in many ways, the story of Nigeria’s industrial backbone. From Sagamu to Ibeshe, Papalanto to Ewekoro, and now Itori, Ogun has

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Tanker Explosion: Unconfirmed Deaths, Vehicles Burnt on Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway

Tanker Explosion: Unconfirmed Deaths, Vehicles Burnt on Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway

A devastating tanker fire accident occurred at midnight on Friday on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway, resulting in the destruction of properties and unconfirmed number of fatalities.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident.

Akinbiyi said the accident occured at 1:00 a.m. on the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange axis of the Expressway.

He explained that the accident occurred when a 33,000-litre petrol tanker overturned as a result of excessive speeding and spilled its content on the road, leading to an inferno.

“The case of an inferno caused by a fuel-laden tanker which fell on its side and spilled its contents around 0100hrs today, along the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway, due to excessive speed and loss of control, has been reported.

“The effect of the unfortunate incident also extended to the burning of a truck and a tow vehicle parked by the roadside, as well as the destruction of a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and its environs,’’ he said.

Akinbiyi noted that the casualty figure could not be ascertained at the time of this report.

He said that joint rescue teams from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé Fire Service, the police, Amotekun Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were on ground to put out the fire and begin the decantation process.

According to him, emergency and rescue workers are still at the scene to restore normalcy and ensure free flow of traffic.

He appealed to road users to remain calm and obey traffic diversions and rerouting measures put in place by security and rescue operatives.

“However, any inconveniences as a result of this unfortunate incident are highly regretted,” Akinbiyi added. (NAN) 

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A devastating tanker fire accident occurred at midnight on Friday on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway, resulting in the destruction of properties and unconfirmed number of fatalities. In a statement issued on

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Gov Otti Demands Retraction, Threatens Legal Action Over ‘Defamatory’ Facebook Posts

Gov Otti Demands Retraction, Threatens Legal Action Over ‘Defamatory’ Facebook Posts

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has threatened legal action against Hon. Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, also known as Iyierioba Chikamnayo, over what he described as “defamatory and malicious” publications against him on Facebook.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by his counsel, Dr. Sonny Ajala (SAN), Otti demanded a written retraction, public apology, and compensation of N100 billion from Chikamnayo.

The governor accused the former commissioner of persistently publishing libelous posts on his Facebook page, “Iyierioba Chikamnayo.”

Among the cited publications were posts titled “Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and disaster!” (September 22, 2025), “Fighting Promax!!!!” (September 21, 2025), “Old or new Abia?” (September 14, 2025), “Sabbath Message” (September 13, 2025), and “Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and congenital liar = looting governor!” (August 15, 2025).

Ajala, of Deeplaw Associates, stated that the posts were clearly targeted at Otti, noting that “our client, for the avoidance of doubt, is the only Governor and Chief Executive of a State within the 36 States of Nigeria who bears the name Alex Chioma Otti. Thus, no effort is required by members of the public to link all your spiteful, false and defamatory attacks to him.”

He described Otti as a man of integrity with a distinguished career in the banking sector, where he rose to the position of Managing Director/Chief Executive of Diamond Bank Plc before venturing into politics.

According to the letter, Otti’s attention was drawn to the Facebook posts on September 29, 2025, while in Abuja for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the Abia State Attorney-General.

Ajala stressed that Otti “unequivocally denies in their entirety your malicious defamatory materials,” emphasizing that the governor has no criminal indictment or conviction by any court of law. He added that the posts inflicted “unquantifiable mental torture, depression, denigration, and brutal destruction of his reputation built over decades.”

The governor is demanding a written retraction of all defamatory posts to be published both on the same Facebook page and in four national newspapers. He is also seeking a written public apology on the same Facebook page, compensation of N100 billion for reputational damage, and an undertaking to desist from further defamatory publications.

The letter warned that failure to comply within seven days would leave Otti with no option but to seek legal redress in court.

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has threatened legal action against Hon. Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, also known as Iyierioba Chikamnayo, over what he described as “defamatory and malicious” publications against

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Tinubu Urges S’ east Politicians to Emulate Late Michael Okpara’s Politics

Tinubu Urges S’ east Politicians to Emulate Late Michael Okpara’s Politics

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, charged the South-east political class to emulate the brand of inclusive politics played by the Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, late Dr Michael Okpara.

Tinubu gave the charge, when he inaugurated the renovated and retrofitted Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia.

The president, represented by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, described Okpara as a visionary politician, who positioned the region at the centre of national politics.

He said that the late elder statesman played to the centre and created a place for the South-east in the business of nation building.

He commended the Abia State Government for the transformation of the edifice, saying that the structure had become a modern landmark, worthy of the late Okpara’s memory.

Tinubu said that he holds the South-east in high regard and has demonstrated it through his inclusiveness in governance, which focuses on nation building and even socioeconomic development of the country.

He said that he was in Abia to inaugurate various projects that would improve the well-being of the residents.

“Some are federal projects performed by the governor; others are state projects.

“But projects, whether they are federal or state, the important thing is to touch the lives of the people of our state,” the president said.

In a remark, the state Governor, Dr Alex Otti, recalled that the auditorium was abandoned for many years until his administration began its renovation in late 2023.

“Today, it is a standing edifice worthy of beholding and by the time we make a step inside, Your Excellency, you will be happy with the quality of work that is done,” Otti said.

The event was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial Zone, Senator Enyinnya Abaribe, and the Deputy Governor of Abia, Mr Ikechukwu Emetu.

Others are the Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, the former Deputy Governor of Abia, Chief Ude Oko-Chukwu, and top government functionaries, amongst other dignitaries. (NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu on Friday, charged the South-east political class to emulate the brand of inclusive politics played by the Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, late Dr Michael Okpara.

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NAFDAC  Seals Off Two Chinese Supermarkets, Eight Cosmetic Shops in Abuja

NAFDAC  Seals Off Two Chinese Supermarkets, Eight Cosmetic Shops in Abuja

* Confiscates goods worth N170m 

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off two chinese supermarkets located in the Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, confiscating  products worth over N170 million.

The agency also said that it has shut down eight cosmetics shops within Wuse Market for the sale of banned, expired and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs and aesthetic medicines.

In a statement on Friday signed by its Deputy Director of Public Relations/Protocol, Adegboyega Osiyemi, NAFDAC said: “Acting on the directive of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the enforcement team confiscated and evacuated offending products worth over N170 million.”

It said the action was as a result of flagrant violation of extant laws governing the sale, distribution, and labelling of regulated products in Nigeria.

The statement said that the supermarkets situated on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi District, Abuja, were sealed off following credible consumer complaints and subsequent surveillance by NAFDAC Enforcement Team.

According to NAFDAC, its investigations revealed that the operators of the chinese supermarkets were engaged in the sale of unregistered food items and products labelled exclusively in chinese language, contrary to NAFDAC’s mandatory labelling policy requiring English translations for the Nigerian market and regulatory understanding.

“Despite initial resistance and denials by the foreign nationals at Ebitu Street that the supermarket is yet to commence operation, the enforcement team confirmed that the outlet was in full operation and selling unregistered regulated products,” it added.

According to NAFDAC, eight cosmetics shops within Wuse Market were sealed off by its enforcement team for the sale of banned, expired and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs and aesthetic medicines.

The agency said that certain individuals had been illegally presenting themselves, “as dermatologists and pharmacists, prescribing and selling harmful products to unsuspecting consumers under the guise of body enhancement, skin whitening, aesthetic improvement for ladies and manpower for men.

“Some of the cosmetics products seized include Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement, Curvy Weight Gain, Skin Whitening Vitamin Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathone Whitening Gummies, White doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, Original Herbal Yellow fever, Sickle Cell Medicine, Dr. Nafisa Herbal Medicine, Dynewell Syrup, White Blinks, and so on”.

While responding to the development, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, restated the agency’s mandate to protect the health of Nigerians against exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxic substances which are linked to serious health risks, including skin cancer, kidney damage, irritability and memory loss.

She said NAFDAC is committed to enforcing compliance with regulations and advised Nigerian consumers to patronize only products duly registered by NAFDAC.

She also urged foreign nationals and investors intending to import or market products in Nigeria to visit NAFDAC offices nationwide for product registration and regulatory guidance.

In addition, Adeyeye urged members of the public to report suspicious sales outlets or products to the nearest NAFDAC offices.

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* Confiscates goods worth N170m  Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off two chinese supermarkets located in the Jabi