LAGOS? NO—KWARA LAWMAKER APPEALED TO DANGOTE: “COME TO ILORIN, LET’S BUILD THE NEXT INDUSTRIAL HUB;”_Hon. Rukayat Shittu.
Hon. Rukayat Shittu, the youngest female lawmaker in Nigeria, representing Owode/Onire constituency, Kwara State house of assembly has called on Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to consider Ilorin and Kwara State for future large-scale industrial and energy investments.
The appeal followed reports of a land-related legal dispute surrounding the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day Dangote refinery project in Lamu, Kenya. The Malindi Environment and Land Court ordered parties to maintain the status quo on a disputed parcel pending further proceedings, while the planned groundbreaking itself was not expressly stopped. The project subsequently broke ground on September 30.
Against this backdrop, Hon. Shittu said Nigeria, and particularly Kwara State, should be prepared to present new investment opportunities to major Nigerian entrepreneurs seeking to expand their industrial footprint.
In her appeal to Dangote, the Kwara lawmaker highlighted Ilorin’s geographical position, expanding road and urban infrastructure, access to markets and growing agro-industrial and logistics opportunities as factors that could support major industrial investments.
She described Ilorin as a potential bridge between Nigeria’s northern and southern economic markets, arguing that a major energy investment could stimulate a much wider industrial chain rather than operate as a standalone project.
According to her, such an investment could generate opportunities across petrochemicals, manufacturing, storage, transportation, logistics, engineering, energy services and other supporting industries, while creating employment and strengthening local businesses.
“When one door becomes legally uncertain, Nigeria should be ready to show you another door. Ilorin is that door.”
Shittu further stressed that a refinery or major energy facility requires a supporting ecosystem—including reliable transportation networks, power, water, storage facilities, skilled manpower, engineering services and access to markets.
She therefore urged Dangote to personally examine the investment potential of Ilorin and the wider Kwara landscape.
“Come and see the land. Come and see the location. Come and see what is changing. Come to Ilorin, Alhaji Dangote. Let’s talk.”
FROM GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGE TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
The lawmaker’s intervention also focused on the need for Kwara to convert its strategic location into tangible economic opportunities by attracting large-scale private-sector investments.
She said the ambition should extend beyond securing a single refinery, stressing the importance of developing an integrated industrial ecosystem capable of supporting businesses, creating jobs, developing technical skills and expanding the state’s logistics and manufacturing base.
Shittu also acknowledged that any major investment in Kwara would need to comply with land, environmental and regulatory requirements, alongside meaningful engagement with communities and other relevant stakeholders.
Her message to Dangote is therefore an invitation to explore what Kwara can offer as the search for new industrial opportunities continues.
For Kwara, the conversation is bigger than a refinery—it is about positioning Ilorin as a destination for industry, investment, jobs and sustainable economic development.
