The Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) has highlighted its contributions to community development through road infrastructure, educational support, healthcare, youth empowerment, agriculture and access to clean water, with its road projects estimated to benefit more than 350,000 people.
The Administrative Manager of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Mr Steven Makanjuola, highlighted the socioeconomic significance of the Zone and its community development initiatives while speaking with journalists during a press conference held at the Zone’s premises on Tuesday.
Makanjuola emphasized the importance of OGFTZ’s industrial presence and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes in promoting economic opportunities and improving the welfare of residents in its host communities.
He described the Zone as a platform for strengthening economic relations between Nigeria and China, noting that its presence creates opportunities for investment, employment, business development and broader community advancement.
“If Igbesa was my village, I wouldn’t just build a house there; I’ll have a business presence here,” he said, describing Igbesa as fortunate to host the free trade zone.
Providing details of the Zone’s community development initiatives, OGFTZ’s Public Relations Manager, Mr Tope Anthony, explained that its interventions extend beyond industrial investment to include practical programmes designed to improve livelihoods, expand opportunities and support sustainable development in its host communities.
Tope noted that these initiatives complement the Zone’s core mandate of attracting investment, promoting industrialization, generating employment and strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and China.
On education, he said OGFTZ had established and sustained the China–Nigeria Friendship School in Igbesa for more than 14 years. The school currently serves over 700 pupils and has been recognized by education stakeholders as one of the leading public primary schools in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
He added that the Zone pioneered an inter-school knowledge competition involving public schools across its host communities, with more than 10,000 students benefiting from the initiative over the years.
According to Tope, OGFTZ has also supported public schools with educational and extracurricular materials, including sound systems, sewing machines, musical instruments, sports equipment, stationery and food items. Cash prizes have equally been awarded to outstanding schools to encourage academic excellence and promote healthy competition among students.
He further disclosed that the Zone operates a free Chinese language school for students in its host communities and has awarded fully funded scholarships to indigenes to study in China, providing opportunities for international exposure, language development and cultural exchange.
On healthcare, Tope said OGFTZ had constructed a modern hospital block for the community, periodically donated medical supplies to healthcare facilities and organized medical outreaches to improve residents’ access to healthcare services.
Infrastructure development, he noted, remains a major component of the Zone’s community interventions. He cited the construction of roads connecting communities, including the Oba Adesola Market Road, which has improved access to commercial activities in Igbesa.
The road projects are estimated to benefit more than 350,000 people by improving mobility, facilitating trade and strengthening connections between communities and commercial centers.
Tope also highlighted OGFTZ’s annual youth empowerment programme, through which young people have received grants and business starter kits to establish or expand their businesses.
He said the Zone had established a solar-powered community water facility providing access to water for more than 5,000 people. In addition, 20 widows have received support to establish or expand their businesses as part of efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and financial independence.
In agriculture, he explained that OGFTZ’s agronomy programme had trained hundreds of farmers and provided beneficiaries with starter kits to support farming activities, improve productivity and strengthen livelihoods.
He added that the Zone’s sponsorship of community sports activities had contributed to youth development and talent discovery, with more than 2,000 young people benefiting from the programmes.
Beyond these interventions, the Zone’s industrial activities provide wider economic opportunities through employment generation, demand for local services, skills development and business partnerships. Its position as a link between Nigerian and Chinese businesses also creates opportunities for investment, technology exchange and skills transfer.
While acknowledging the progress made, Makanjoula noted that community development remained an ongoing process and that the Zone recognized the need to address emerging challenges and the evolving needs of its host communities.
He reaffirmed OGFTZ’s commitment to sustained engagement with traditional institutions, community leaders, residents, government agencies and other stakeholders to identify priority needs and explore opportunities for further interventions.
He added that the Zone would continue to pursue initiatives that promote community welfare while advancing its broader objectives of industrial growth, employment creation and mutually beneficial economic relations between Nigeria and China.
