By Peter Omopo
The Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government Area in Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Diya, has flagged off the construction of a N3.5 billion ultramodern truck park along the Ijebu-Ode–Benin Expressway, a project he says will significantly enhance the council’s economic fortunes and create hundreds of jobs.
Speaking on Friday during the groundbreaking ceremony, Diya said the initiative—conceptualised and sponsored by the local government—will serve as a major logistics hub, improve road safety, and expand the area’s internally generated revenue base.
He described the truck park as a critical investment designed to provide a safe and organised parking space for heavy-duty vehicles, thereby reducing highway accidents, improving environmental safety, and generating employment, especially for young people in the council.
“This N3.5bn Odogbolu Truck Stop Project represents a monumental stride toward modernising local infrastructure, expanding the economy, and boosting job creation,” he said.
According to Diya, the state-of-the-art facility will include parking lots, fuel stations, maintenance bays, hotels, restaurants, drivers’ lodges, and recreational areas. It is expected to generate over 300 direct and indirect jobs.
He added that the project will also complement the emerging Gateway International Airport corridor, positioning Odogbolu as a key commercial and logistics hub in the Southwest.
The chairman expressed appreciation to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for providing the policy direction and support that enables development at the grassroots.
At the event, the Deputy CEO of TGroup and 1st TruckStops, Mr. Oyeyemi Oke, underscored the centrality of logistics infrastructure to national commerce.
“Trade cannot thrive without logistics, and logistics cannot thrive without infrastructure. The Odogbolu Truck Stop is designed to become the backbone of trade along the 49km Sagamu–Benin Expressway,” he said, noting that construction alone would create at least 300 direct jobs.
Similarly, the Managing Director of TruckBus and Odogbolu TruckStops, Oluwaseun Mamoye, described the project as a transformational asset that will turn highways from choke points into engines of economic growth.
“Every truck that parks, every driver that rests, and every business that operates here contributes to a cycle of productivity and recurring revenue,” he said, highlighting the multibillion-naira scale of Nigeria’s road haulage industry.
Federal lawmaker representing Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, Olufemi Ogunbanwo, commended the initiative as a legacy project that would benefit future generations. Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development and Technology Innovation, Dennis Ogunnaike, also praised Diya for aligning with the governor’s development vision.
Nigeria’s major highways have long suffered from indiscriminate parking by articulated vehicles, leading to gridlock and frequent accidents. Truck parks such as the Odogbolu facility are part of broader federal and state efforts to address these challenges while opening new revenue streams through public-private partnerships.
