.
FG Commends Ondo’s Industrial Drive as Minister Inspects Methanol, Fertilizer Plant in Ore
10th November, 2025
The Federal Government has lauded Ondo State’s growing industrial profile, describing it as a model for investment-friendly governance in Nigeria.
This commendation came from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, during his inspection of the Supertec Methanol and Harmonium Plant in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, on Sunday.
Ekpo, who later paid a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa at the Government House, Akure, praised the state’s commitment to security and investor engagement, noting that such efforts have positioned Ondo as a hub for gas-based industrial development.
“Because of the importance of the project in your domain, we decided to come on inspection tour,” Ekpo said. “What interests me most is the technological advantage of using natural gas to produce methanol, fertilizer and other critical products our country needs at this time.”
Describing the Ore methanol and fertilizer project as a landmark industrial investment, the Minister said it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to harness Nigeria’s natural gas for economic transformation and industrial growth.
He added that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will leverage such projects to boost upstream operations and value addition within the gas sector.
“I congratulate you for providing the enabling environment for this project to thrive and for attracting foreign investment to the state,” Ekpo remarked. “Other states should emulate this to drive national economic growth.”
Ekpo pledged to brief President Tinubu on the progress of the project ahead of its official commissioning and promised sustained collaboration with Ondo State in advancing gas-driven development.
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed appreciation for the Minister’s visit, commending the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) for eliminating bureaucratic barriers and fast-tracking investor relations.
The Governor highlighted several major industrial initiatives facilitated through ONDIPA, including a 500,000-barrel-per-day modular refinery and a petrochemical fertilizer plant in Ilaje Local Government Area.
He emphasized the economic potential of the Southern Senatorial District, which he described as the state’s industrial hub, rich in oil, gas, and mineral resources, and home to emerging projects like the proposed Deep Seaport and the Ondo-Linyil Industrial Hub for ethanol production.
“We believe that creating a peaceful, investment-friendly environment is the most sustainable way to grow our economy and provide jobs for our people,” Aiyedatiwa said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, the Governor announced ongoing plans to dualize the Ore–Okitipupa–Igbokoda road corridor, while the Federal Government undertakes the dualization of the Akure–Ore highway.
He further invited investors to take advantage of the state’s abundant resources — including gold, limestone, and other minerals — assuring them of continuous government support.
