Ogun State Partners with Morocco on Energy, Education, and Infrastructure Development
The Ogun State government has entered into a strategic partnership with the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco (CGEM) to collaborate on key sectors, including power generation and distribution, education, housing, infrastructure, and port development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on behalf of Ogun State, while Mr. Ali Zerouali represented the Moroccan delegation. Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun highlighted Morocco’s impressive advancements in education, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture—areas in which Ogun State stands to benefit significantly.
The governor emphasized Morocco’s achievements in energy production, particularly its leadership in solar power, and noted that the country has transitioned from being an importer to an exporter of electric vehicles to Europe, in addition to manufacturing aircraft components. He expressed optimism that Ogun State could replicate Morocco’s industrial success through this partnership.
“We look forward to unlocking and maximizing the full potential of this collaboration. Morocco has perfected the integration of hydro, solar, and gas energy, which has significantly reduced energy costs. We hope to learn from this model,” Abiodun stated.
He further pointed out Morocco’s dominance in fertilizer production and exportation, adding that discussions were underway to establish a large-scale fertilizer plant in Nigeria. Abiodun expressed interest in bringing this investment to Ogun State, given its strong industrial base.
Other key areas of collaboration discussed include manufacturing, technology transfer, and the automobile industry. The governor highlighted the potential of Ogun State as a manufacturing hub, noting that the state’s strategic location makes it an ideal gateway for distributing vehicles across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Additionally, Abiodun introduced the state’s “Light Up Ogun Project,” which aims to generate between 6,000 and 7,000 megawatts of electricity to meet the growing energy demands of industries operating within the state. He acknowledged Morocco’s expertise in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, stating that Ogun State is eager to adopt best practices to enhance its energy infrastructure.
On the issue of transportation, the governor stressed the importance of extending the Lagos Blue Line railway into Ogun State to improve connectivity and facilitate economic growth. He also highlighted the state’s plans to develop Olokola Deep Seaport, describing it as a vital project that has been in the pipeline for years.
Regarding housing, Abiodun revealed that despite his administration constructing 5,000 housing units, the demand remains high. He called for collaborative efforts with Moroccan investors to accelerate the development of smart cities across Ogun State.
In response, Ali Zerouali reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to partnering with Ogun State in automobile production, agro-food industries, and the education sector. He expressed confidence that this collaboration would further strengthen the economic ties and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Morocco.
