By Agency Report
No fewer than six Nigerian governors have pledged to draw practical lessons from the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone in the Republic of Benin to revive the country’s textile industry and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
The governors made the commitment while joining Vice President Kashim Shettima on an inspection tour of the integrated industrial zone near Cotonou.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the visit formed part of efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to establish agro-industrial processing hubs and revive domestic manufacturing.
The delegation comprised Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma; Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal; Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang; Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Katsina Governor Dikko Radda; and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi.
The governors said the GDIZ model demonstrated how deliberate government policies, reliable infrastructure and private-sector investment could connect farmers with processors, reduce the export of raw commodities and create jobs in agriculture and manufacturing.
AbdulRazaq, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described the visit as an African peer-learning mission designed to help Nigerian states avoid costly mistakes and adopt tested industrial practices.
“Nigeria is on the verge of developing industrial processing zones across the federation.
“We previously visited Ethiopia to study what they had done, and we are now in Benin Republic to learn from both the challenges and the successes of this industrial zone.
“We have examined the cotton, cashew and soybean value chains. What we have seen has been a tremendous success, and we will take these lessons back to Nigeria as we implement our own projects,” he said.
He said participating states were working with the Federal Government and development partners to provide the infrastructure required for the zones.
‘We can industrialise Jigawa’
Namadi said the industrial zone had provided useful lessons for Jigawa’s efforts to add value to agricultural production under Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme.
“What we have seen here is very encouraging, both for us as a country and as a state.
“We have learnt many things that will help us industrialise Jigawa and create sustainable jobs for our young people,” he said.
Namadi added that adopting the concept and implementing the SAPZ programme would enable Jigawa to add value to its agricultural products and create more opportunities for its people.
Zamfara governor recalls thriving textile industry
Lawal said the visit revived memories of Zamfara’s once-thriving textile industry, where factories, cotton ginneries and oil mills previously employed thousands of people.
“This takes me down memory lane because I grew up around this industry. My father was one of the owners of the Zamfara Textile Industry.
“At one point, the factory operated three shifts, with about 2,000 workers on each shift. Zamfara also had about 23 ginneries and an oil mill, where even cotton seeds were converted into oil,” he said.
The governor said the GDIZ model had strengthened his determination to restore cotton production and textile manufacturing in Zamfara.
“This visit has given me a clear pathway. Reviving this industry is one of the legacies I want to leave in Zamfara State, and I am determined to make it a reality,” Lawal said.
He added that restoring the value chain would enable farmers, processors and manufacturers to participate in the industry, create jobs and improve the economic conditions of residents.
Uzodimma said African countries must deepen peer learning and develop industries around their respective comparative advantages to create employment and shared prosperity.
He commended Tinubu for directing Shettima to lead the delegation, describing the visit as a practical step towards implementing the administration’s industrialisation agenda.
“We are satisfied with what we have seen. If this model is properly adopted in Nigeria, with every state building around its comparative advantage, we will create the prosperity and employment opportunities our people need,” he said.
Radda said the production systems at GDIZ could be replicated in Nigerian states with strong agricultural value chains.
“What we have seen today is achievable in our states. Katsina is one of Nigeria’s major cotton-producing states, and we are also doing well in soybean production.
“We have both comparative and competitive advantages in these commodities. By applying the lessons from this zone, we can create jobs for our young people, generate wealth and build stronger links between agriculture and industry,” he said.
Mutfwang described GDIZ as a successful proof of concept, saying its transformation from an idea into a functioning industrial ecosystem demonstrated the importance of political commitment, careful planning and competent management.
“What we have seen is something that has moved from an idea to reality. The lesson is that this kind of success requires intentionality.
“It cannot happen by chance. It requires political will and the appointment of the right people to drive the process,” he said.
Mutfwang said Nigeria and Plateau State possessed even greater economic potential but must take deliberate steps to convert raw agricultural output into processed goods.
“We came with the Vice President to see a practical demonstration of what we have been discussing. This aligns with the President’s vision of building a $1tn economy.
“It demonstrates that ambition must be driven by production, processing and a firm belief that Nigeria has the capacity to achieve it,” he said.
(c) NAN
