Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of a naval base and dockyard in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, describing the project as a major step toward economic growth and national security.
Daniel, who chairs the Senate Committee on Navy, said the new base would stimulate the local economy, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime defence. He also commended President Tinubu for reviving the Olokola Deep Seaport project, which he said would have a transformative impact on the state’s economy.
Speaking during the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Mid-Term Community Assessment and Review Tour in Abigi, Ogun Waterside, Daniel said the President’s developmental initiatives reflected a genuine commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
He noted that the Ogun Waterside axis was already benefiting from the Federal Government’s Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, which passes through the area.
“The naval base and dockyard in Ode-Omi will open up new opportunities for business, employment, and infrastructure,” Daniel said. “We are grateful to the President for his vision and support, and we will show our appreciation through our votes in 2027.”
Reflecting on the region’s history, Daniel recalled that the land allocated for the naval base had been set aside more than five decades ago but was left undeveloped until now. He said his current role as Senate Committee Chairman on Navy helped accelerate the project’s realisation.
“This land was given to the Navy over 50 years ago, but nothing happened until now,” he explained. “Through strategic efforts and the President’s approval, work can finally begin. We must thank President Tinubu for his decisive action.”
Daniel also mentioned plans to revive the Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI) in Ode-Omi, established during his tenure as governor to train technicians for the proposed refinery and seaport projects. He said the federal government would step in to ensure the institute’s sustainability, just as it did when it took over funding for the Tai Solarin University of Education.
“Whatever the state government cannot handle, we will support at the federal level,” Daniel said. “The President is committed to helping Ogun State grow.”
On the scope of the naval base, Daniel explained that the project would be executed in phases:
• Phase One will include accommodation for senior and junior officers, administrative buildings, a perimeter fence, and other security infrastructure.
• Phase Two will establish a naval secondary school.
• Phase Three will feature a naval hospital.
He assured that the Federal Government would provide full funding to ensure the project’s success.
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“Many people may not understand what a naval base truly represents it’s more than just a facility; it’s a naval city,” he said. “Wherever a base is built, security and development follow. President Tinubu means well for Nigeria, and all patriotic citizens should support his second-term bid to see these projects completed.”
