Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that cargo operations will commence at Gateway International Airport within the next 30 to 45 days, with the first cargo aircraft from Europe expected to land at the facility.
The governor disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing work at the Industrial Platform, Remo Free Trade Zone, located along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway. The Industrial Platform, Remo, is a Special Agro-Processing Zone project positioned between Iperu and Ilishan, conceived toward the end of the COVID-19 pandemic to drive agro-industrial growth and strengthen Ogun State’s export capacity.
Abiodun revealed that the access road linking the Sagamu–Benin Expressway directly to the airport would soon be opened to the public. He described the road as a vital infrastructure component designed in line with global best practices, stressing that airport roads should run straight from major highways for efficiency and ease of movement.
“This road tees off from the Sagamu–Benin Expressway and leads straight to the airport,” he said, noting that it also passes through the processing zone, allowing visibility of industrial activities within the hub.
The governor explained that the concept of the Special Agro-Processing Zone was introduced to his administration by the African Development Bank before evolving into the current Industrial Platform model.
He expressed optimism that the first processing companies within the zone would be commissioned in the coming months, as several firms have already begun construction. During the visit, he toured a 6,800-square-metre warehouse under construction and commended the pace of development.
According to Abiodun, the free trade zone is designed as an integrated ecosystem where agricultural production and processing coexist to promote value addition. The facility will feature dedicated power supply, waste management systems, independent administration, and enhanced security.
He further disclosed that the zone is expected to host what he described as the world’s largest cotton garment processing factory, a development projected to generate significant employment.
The governor also commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for federal support, stating that sound macroeconomic policies are critical to unlocking transformative industrial projects and driving sustainable economic growth.
