The Ogun State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco, CGEM, to collaborate on key sectors, including power generation, education, housing, infrastructure, and port development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun signed the agreement on behalf of Ogun State. At the same time, Mr Ali Zerouali represented the Moroccan side during the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Governor Abiodun highlighted Morocco’s strides in education, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture, emphasizing that Ogun State stands to benefit from the North African country’s expertise.
He noted that Morocco provides a 30 percent subsidy to attract investors, has signed 60 trade agreements globally, and has become a leader in solar energy. The governor also pointed out Morocco’s transition from an importer to an exporter of electric vehicles to Europe and its role in manufacturing aircraft components.
Gov. Abiodun expressed optimism that Ogun State could replicate Morocco’s success story, leveraging the expertise of CGEM.
The governor underscored Morocco’s leadership in agriculture, particularly as the continent’s largest fertilizer producer and exporter. He recalled discussions on establishing a massive fertilizer plant in Nigeria, expressing hopes that Ogun State would be its location.
As an industrial hub, the governor said Ogun is keen on partnering with Morocco in manufacturing and industrial development. He emphasized the need for technology transfer and collaboration to bring the automobile industry to the state, which could serve as a strategic production and export base for Sub-Saharan Africa.
On power generation, he outlined Ogun’s “Light Up Ogun Project,” which requires 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts to support industries across the state. He acknowledged Morocco’s success in energy generation, transmission, and distribution, seeking collaboration to boost electricity supply.
In the area of education, the governor revealed plans to strengthen technical and vocational training to equip Nigerian graduates with industry-relevant skills, drawing inspiration from Morocco’s economic transformation model.
Regarding infrastructure, he emphasized the extension of the Lagos Blue Line to Ogun State, which he said had received approval, and the development of Olokola Deep Seaport, which has long been in the pipeline. He expressed a strong commitment to realizing this project, even if it begins as a temporary berth port.
In his remarks, Vice President of CGEM, Mr Zerouali, reaffirmed Morocco’s readiness to collaborate with Ogun State in the automobile and agro-food industries, as well as the education sector. He expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen economic ties and deepen relations between Nigeria and Morocco.
Radio Nigeria/ Naomi Akinkunle
