Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has praised Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his investment-friendly leadership, describing the state as a safe and promising destination for serious investors.

Dangote made the remarks on Friday during a visit to the Government House in Yenagoa, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Dangote Group and the Bayelsa State Government. The agreement spans investments in oil and gas development, agro-allied processing, seaport development, and infrastructure expansion.

The visit marks a significant follow-up to earlier engagements between both parties, including a tour of the Dangote Refinery in Lagos by Governor Diri in July 2024 and a meeting during the Afreximbank Annual Meeting in The Bahamas in June 2024.

Speaking at the MoU signing, Dangote expressed satisfaction with the progress of his group’s gas pipeline project in the state and commended Governor Diri’s administration for its collaboration and peaceful environment.

“We’ve had the best cooperation with your officials on the Iseni project. It shows your leadership style is paying off. I thank you and your team for ensuring things run smoothly,” Dangote said.

He emphasized Bayelsa’s vast potential, stating that with the development of the Agge Deep Seaport and full utilization of the state’s gas resources, Bayelsa could emerge as Nigeria’s most prosperous state.

Dangote pledged to partner with the state not only to create jobs and empower youth but also to send a strong signal to other investors that Bayelsa is open and secure for business.

 “No foreign investor will come if we do not lead by example. Our duty isn’t only to work in oil and gas but to also encourage others to invest,” he noted.

He also expressed readiness to support rice cultivation in the state with high-quality seeds and advanced soil testing, and encouraged Governor Diri to engage with President Tinubu on tapping into the federal government’s infrastructure tax credit scheme.

In his remarks, Governor Diri thanked Dangote for honouring his commitment to visit Bayelsa and described the industrialist as a businessman of integrity.

Diri highlighted the state’s richness not just in oil and gas but also in untapped natural resources, and welcomed Dangote’s investment as a potential game-changer for the state’s economy.

> “Your visit today is divine. It confirms you are a man of your word. We’re not only rich in oil and gas but in other resources waiting to be harnessed,” Diri said.

The governor listed several key areas of interest, including the expansion of the Iseni gas project, development of the Agge Deep Seaport, gas processing for inter-state supply, and partnership on the state-owned oil field.

He further noted that his administration had taken concrete steps to improve the state’s security architecture by deploying CCTV surveillance across critical areas, creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

Both parties expressed optimism that the partnership would yield long-term economic benefits for Bayelsa State, generate employment opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s broader drive for industrialization and self-sufficiency.

The MoU signing marks a new chapter in Bayelsa’s economic development, reinforcing the state\'s positioning as an emerging hub for energy, agriculture, and maritime logistics.