By Lukman OMIKUNLE
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has inaugurated a Technical Committee on the Olokola Free Trade Zone project to address legal, administrative and operational issues and chart a path forward
Aiyedatiwa Constitutes Technical Committee on Olokola Free Trade Zone Project
The Ondo State Government has taken a major step towards revitalising the long-awaited Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) project with the constitution of a Technical Committee mandated to review all legal, administrative and operational issues surrounding the initiative and recommend a clear path forward.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa announced the establishment of the committee on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the ambitious industrial and investment project, which has remained one of the most strategically important economic development initiatives in the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on June 15, 2026, and made available to NewsHeadline247.
According to the statement, the committee will be chaired by renowned industry leader Chief Bode Sunmonu, while the Chief Executive Officer of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Mr. Emmanuel Omomowo, will serve as Secretary.
Other members of the committee include Barrister Yinka Orokoto, Mr. Sola Adebisi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Idowu Ojo, and Engr. Femi Akarakiri, Director at ONDIPA.
The committee has been assigned the critical responsibility of examining all outstanding issues relating to the Olokola Free Trade Zone and providing expert guidance to the state government on the next phase of the project. Its mandate covers a wide range of strategic areas, including legal reviews, stakeholder engagement, land verification, community relations, inter-state coordination and other matters that may be referred to it by the government.
The move comes amid renewed interest in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most promising industrial corridors due to its strategic coastal location and vast potential for manufacturing, trade and investment. The establishment of the committee signals the Aiyedatiwa administration’s determination to address lingering challenges that have slowed the project over the years and unlock its economic benefits for Ondo State.
With experienced professionals drawn from both the public and private sectors, the committee is expected to lay the groundwork for a fresh phase of engagement and development aimed at transforming the Olokola Free Trade Zone into a major hub for industrial growth, job creation and economic expansion in the state and across the region.
The latest action by the Ondo State Government also aligns with broader efforts to attract large-scale investments and position the state as a preferred destination for local and international investors seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s growing industrial sector.
