Ex-Ambassador Bode Sunmonu to Lead Olokola Free Trade Zone Technical Committee as Ondo Pushes Industrial Revolution

By Ademola Adekusibe
15 June, 2026

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has appointed former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Chief Bode Sunmonu, as Chairman of the Olokola Free Trade Zone Technical Committee. The appointment is part of the state’s push to accelerate the multi-billion dollar industrial project following renewed investment interest from the Dangote Group.

Sunmonu, a seasoned technocrat and diplomat, is expected to lead negotiations and coordinate the legal, land, and community engagement frameworks for the proposed industrial zone. The committee is also tasked with ensuring seamless collaboration between the state government, host communities, and potential investors.

The Olokola Free Trade Zone, located along the coastal corridor of Ondo State, is positioned to become one of Nigeria’s largest industrial hubs, with plans for power generation, gas infrastructure, cement production, and manufacturing. Governor Aiyedatiwa has described the project as a game-changer for the state’s economy and a key driver of the South-West’s industrialisation agenda.

The appointment signals the state government’s readiness to fast-track the project, with construction expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026.