Onne, Lekki Free Zones driving Nigeria’s energy, maritime transformation – OGFZA

Jada

Stanley Ihedigbo

Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has reaffirmed the strategic importance of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in advancing Nigeria’s blue economy, industrialisation, maritime logistics and energy exports, describing the nation’s oil and gas free zones as critical assets for sustainable economic growth and investment attraction.

The Authority said its regulated free zones have evolved beyond serving as investment destinations to becoming strategic Energy Economic Zones that are strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, expanding export capacity and positioning the country as a preferred investment hub in West Africa.

The position was made known during the 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), held on Thursday at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference, themed “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy,” brought together key stakeholders from the maritime and energy sectors to deliberate on strategies for unlocking Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Delivering the keynote address on “The Strategic Role of OGFZA in Supporting Nigeria’s Blue Economy and Energy Exports,” the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada, represented by the Technical Adviser to the Managing Director on Free Zones Development, Jackson Iniobong, described the blue economy as a framework for harnessing Nigeria’s oceans, rivers, ports and coastal resources to drive economic prosperity while preserving the environment for future generations.

According to him, OGFZA’s statutory responsibility of regulating and promoting investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda, particularly because most of the Authority’s free zones are strategically located along the country’s coastal corridors.

He explained that over the years, OGFZA has played a significant role in developing the nation’s blue economy through the establishment, regulation and promotion of Special Economic Zones that have become major centres for industrialisation, international trade, marine logistics, offshore support services and export-oriented manufacturing.

Jada said the transformation of the free zones has strengthened Nigeria’s participation in the global maritime economy while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.

He identified the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State as the Authority’s flagship zone, noting that it hosts one of Nigeria’s busiest seaports and serves as an operational base for several multinational companies engaged in maritime operations as well as oil and gas activities.

He also highlighted the Bestaf Maritime Industrial Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lagos State, describing it as an indigenous lubricant blending facility with an annual production capacity of 240 million litres, producing lubricants that are exported through Nigeria’s waterways.

The OGFZA boss further pointed to the Dangote Industries Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lekki as another landmark investment, noting that the zone hosts the 700,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery—the largest refinery in Africa—which has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s energy export profile and industrial capacity.

According to him, these landmark investments have expanded the role of OGFZA-regulated free zones into becoming Energy Economic Zones that support national energy security, industrialisation, maritime logistics infrastructure and safer maritime operations.

Jada further disclosed that OGFZA regulates the Secured Bunkering Anchorage, an offshore facility designed to support safe maritime operations and facilitate energy exports. He added that the Authority’s free zones have attracted substantial domestic and foreign investments, generated thousands of direct and indirect jobs and encouraged technology transfer across the energy and maritime value chains.

He explained that OGFZA’s One-Stop-Shop model has significantly improved collaboration with key maritime agencies by simplifying licensing procedures, streamlining Customs processes and enhancing the ease of doing business for investors operating within the free zones.

The Managing Director noted that the Authority’s regulatory framework has also improved port efficiency, reduced operational bottlenecks and promoted indigenous participation in fabrication, engineering, marine support services, vessel maintenance and logistics.

He cited facilities such as the West Atlantic Shipyard as examples of how local content development continues to expand within Nigeria’s free zones through increased technical capacity and investment.

Looking ahead, Jada assured stakeholders that OGFZA would continue to promote environmentally responsible industrial operations by encouraging cleaner technologies, efficient resource utilisation and sustainable business practices across all regulated free zones.

He emphasised that the Authority remains committed to supporting the Federal Government’s vision of leveraging Nigeria’s vast maritime resources to diversify the economy, attract quality investments, create employment opportunities and build a resilient, prosperous and sustainable future for the country.

The conference underscored the growing recognition of Special Economic Zones as strategic platforms for accelerating maritime development, expanding energy exports and unlocking the enormous potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.