Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Thursday for a key working visit to the Republic of Benin, leading a high-profile delegation that includes six state governors and senior government officials. The mission aims to draw invaluable lessons from Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) near Cotonou, a highly successful industrial park that the delegation will visit as part of its itinerary. This strategic visit seeks to gather critical insights to inform the revival of Nigeria’s textile industry and strengthen the implementation of Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme (SAPZ). The focus is on understanding how Benin’s integrated industrial model can be adapted to foster economic growth and job creation within Nigeria.
Benin's Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone
The Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), located near Cotonou, stands as a significant industrial hub spanning an expansive 1,640 hectares. This advanced zone employs an integrated production system meticulously designed to encompass all stages of textile manufacturing. This full system covers cotton spinning, weaving, fabric processing, and garment manufacturing, all contained within the industrial area. This integrated approach is a cornerstone of the GDIZ's success, aiming to create a streamlined manufacturing process from raw material cultivation to the production of finished goods. Nigeria's delegation is studying this strong model to potentially replicate its successes in reviving its own textile industry and enhancing the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme across the country. The GDIZ's ability to manage the entire value chain is a key aspect that Nigerian officials hope to understand and adapt.
Nigeria's Textile Sector and SAPZ
Nigeria’s textile, apparel, and footwear industry holds a substantial economic value, estimated at approximately N8.15 trillion at current prices in 2024. This significant valuation shows the sector's potential as a major contributor to the national economy. The sector demonstrated strong output in the first quarter of 2025, generating N2.45 trillion in nominal terms. This strong economic activity notes the inherent potential for significant growth and revival within Nigeria's industrial landscape, particularly if strategic interventions are effectively implemented.
The African Development Bank is actively supporting plans for a dedicated garment-training centre, which is slated for establishment within the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme in Ogun State. This initiative is specifically designed to bolster skills development, enhance local production capabilities, and foster innovation within the textile sector. Such training facilities are considered vital for building a skilled workforce capable of operating modern textile industries. The SAPZ programme itself is a critical component of Nigeria's strategy to diversify its economy and create employment opportunities by adding value to agricultural produce.
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s current engagement in Benin aligns perfectly with the broader objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The agenda prioritises economic revitalisation and industrial development, with a specific focus on leveraging key sectors like textiles for extensive job creation and national growth. The study visit to Benin's industrial zone aims to gather concrete insights that can inform practical strategies for achieving these ambitious national development goals, ensuring that Nigeria can harness its vast potential in the textile and agro-industrial sectors. The insights gained are expected to directly contribute to policy formulation and implementation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Delegation's Objectives and Scope
The Nigerian delegation, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, comprises a formidable group of leaders, including six state governors: Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Dikko Radda of Katsina, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa. These governors represent states with significant agricultural and industrial potential, making their participation key for the localized implementation of lessons learned.
The primary objective of the visit is to thoroughly examine how the operational model of Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) can be effectively adapted and implemented within Nigeria’s existing and planned agro-industrial zones. This detailed study aims to provide concrete strategies for enhancing industrial development and accelerating textile sector revival in Nigeria. The delegation will focus on understanding the practical aspects of the GDIZ's success, from its administrative structure to its operational efficiencies.
The delegation intends to explore a full range of opportunities that could significantly benefit Nigeria's industrial landscape. These opportunities include the identification of effective technology transfer mechanisms to bring advanced industrial processes to Nigeria, the development of strong industrial training programs to upskill the local workforce, and the adoption of modern machinery to enhance productivity and quality. The discussions will also encompass the establishment of reliable energy systems to power industrial operations sustainably, the creation of common processing facilities to streamline production and reduce costs, and the strengthening of public-private partnerships to foster sustainable growth and attract investment. These critical areas are considered key for successfully replicating the successes observed in the GDIZ model within Nigeria, ensuring long-term industrial viability and economic prosperity.
