Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, is set to collaborate with Brazil’s Ambar Energia to establish power plants in the state. This initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to ensuring a reliable power supply and food security for residents and the numerous industries operating in the state.
Highlighting Ogun State’s status as Nigeria’s industrial hub, Abiodun emphasized the importance of leveraging the recent constitutional amendment that decentralizes power generation, allowing states to independently generate electricity according to their needs.
The governor made these remarks while receiving a delegation from Ambar Energia, led by its president, Marcelo Zanatta, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He noted that the state urgently requires additional energy to meet the demands of its many factories, as the current supply is insufficient.
Ogun and Lagos states reportedly consume around 40% of the 6,000 megawatts of electricity generated nationwide. With Nigeria’s energy demand projected to reach 45,000 megawatts by 2030, Abiodun highlighted the vast potential for investment in the sector.
“The power plant we are currently constructing initially had a capacity of four megawatts, but we are expanding it. The first phase will generate 30 megawatts to serve government offices and residential areas, but this is just a fraction of what is needed. Our plan is to establish similar plants in the state’s three zones as captive power projects. We look forward to partnering with Ambar Energia to meet Ogun’s electricity needs and assist in distribution,” Abiodun stated.
He also emphasized Ogun State’s wealth of natural resources—including gold, lithium, bitumen, silica, and limestone—alongside its leadership in cement production, cassava farming, poultry, and egg production, noting that reliable electricity is essential to unlocking these potentials.
The state has been divided into industrial clusters in areas such as Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, Atan-Agbara, Remo, Imeko-Afon, and Aworo to facilitate industrial investments. Additionally, Abiodun revealed that the largest garment production facility in Africa is set to commence construction at the Special Agro Processing Zone near Gateway International Airport. The facility will require 300 megawatts of electricity to operate.
Recognizing Ambar Energia’s strong background—being among the top five energy companies with 27 plants and a production capacity of 4.3 gigawatts—the governor expressed confidence in the potential partnership to position Ogun State as a prime investment destination.
“Our government’s policy is to collaborate with the private sector. Our vision is to create an enabling environment that fosters economic growth and individual prosperity. Governments should not run businesses; they should facilitate them. By doing so, businesses will create jobs and drive economic progress,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of Ambar Energia, Marcelo Zanatta expressed the company’s willingness to share expertise and explore investment opportunities in Ogun State. The delegation had earlier visited key sites, including Gateway International Airport, Olorunsogo Power Plant, and Onijanganjangan Power Plant.
In a separate meeting, Governor Abiodun also welcomed a delegation from the Brazilian conglomerates JBJ, JBS, and SEARRA Group, led by Jose Batista, reaffirming his administration’s readiness to collaborate with genuine investors.
With over 16,000 square kilometers of land, more than 12,000 of which is arable, Abiodun highlighted Ogun’s suitability for large-scale farming. The state boasts over 200,000 registered farmers producing various crops and is eager to partner with major agricultural investors.
“We are developing the largest farmers’ market in Abeokuta, where farmers can bring their produce for processing and sale at affordable prices. We provide farm inputs, tractors, and land-clearing services while linking farmers with off-takers. So far, N5.4 billion has been invested in supporting and training our farmers,” he stated.
Ogun State also offers significant infrastructure advantages, including the largest road network in Nigeria and an integrated transportation system accessible by land, sea, and air. With two major gas pipelines running through the state, it presents an attractive location for investors.
Encouraging the Brazilian delegation to leverage Ogun’s strategic location, abundant resources, and investor-friendly environment, Abiodun assured them of his administration’s full support.
Providing insights into the JBJ Group, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Executive Secretary Aisha Rimi explained that JBJ is Brazil’s primary cattle supplier, managing 12 farms spanning 200,000 hectares and employing around 5,000 people.
In response, delegation leader Jose Batista commended Ogun State’s business-friendly environment and the government’s enthusiasm for collaboration. He invited Governor Abiodun to Brazil and expressed interest in contributing to Nigeria’s food security initiatives.