Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on African countries to harness their abundant natural resources through industrialisation and value addition, saying the continent must move beyond exporting raw materials to becoming a major player in global manufacturing and trade. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), following the Vice President’s official working visit to the Republic of Benin on Friday.
Leading a delegation of Nigerian governors on an assessment tour of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Cotonou, Shettima said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to transforming Nigeria into an industrial powerhouse where every region benefits from economic growth and investment opportunities.
The Vice President stressed that Africa possesses enormous agricultural and mineral resources but continues to receive only a small share of the wealth generated from global trade because many countries export raw materials instead of finished products.
According to him, the time has come for African nations to embrace industrialisation, strengthen manufacturing capacity, and build value chains that create employment, boost exports, and improve economic prosperity.
Tinubu’s Industrialisation Agenda
Shettima assured Nigerians that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu places industrial development at the centre of national economic transformation.
He said the Federal Government, working closely with state governments, is implementing policies that will attract investments, establish agro-industrial processing zones, and expand local manufacturing across the country.
”As long as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains President of Nigeria, no region will be left behind in our industrialisation drive,” the Vice President said.
He explained that the administration is determined to ensure inclusive development by creating opportunities across all geopolitical zones.
Learning from Benin Republic’s Success
The Vice President praised the Republic of Benin for successfully developing the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, describing it as an African success story worthy of emulation.
The industrial hub integrates agriculture with manufacturing by processing locally produced cotton, cashew, soybean, and other commodities into finished products for domestic consumption and international export.
Shettima noted that Nigeria intends to replicate several aspects of the industrial zone as part of ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on crude oil exports.
”We are here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to study global best practices in value addition. We have learnt valuable lessons and will replicate many of them in Nigeria,” he said.
Textile Industry Holds Huge Economic Potential
Highlighting Africa’s position in the global textile industry, the Vice President lamented that despite producing significant quantities of cotton, the continent earns only a small fraction of global textile revenues.
He disclosed that Africa benefits from only about one percent of the estimated $370 billion global cotton industry.
According to Shettima, revitalising Nigeria’s textile sector would stimulate industrial production, create millions of jobs, increase non-oil exports, strengthen local manufacturing, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and entrepreneurs.
He emphasized that developing complete value chains—from raw material production to finished products—remains essential for sustainable economic growth.
Eight Agro-Industrial Zones Planned
The Vice President revealed that the Federal Government is establishing eight agro-industrial zones across eight Nigerian states.
The initiative is expected to promote agricultural processing, encourage private-sector investment, expand manufacturing activities, and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He said these industrial zones will serve as centres for innovation, production, and export while supporting economic diversification.
Governors Express Support
The governors who accompanied the Vice President welcomed the initiative and expressed their readiness to implement similar industrial projects in their respective states.
The delegation included Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
They noted that stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector would encourage investment, facilitate technology transfer, improve agricultural productivity, and generate employment for millions of Nigerians.
Inside the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone
During the visit, the Nigerian delegation received a detailed briefing from Benin Republic’s Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, on the operations and investment opportunities within the industrial zone.
The officials toured textile factories, garment production facilities, cashew processing plants, and soybean oil manufacturing units, observing how locally sourced agricultural products are transformed into high-value finished goods.
The Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, a 1,640-hectare public-private industrial platform developed by the Government of Benin in partnership with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, has created more than 25,000 jobs since production commenced in 2021.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
To mark the visit and reinforce their commitment to environmentally sustainable industrial development, Vice President Shettima and the participating governors planted trees within the industrial complex.
The symbolic exercise underscored Nigeria’s commitment to balancing industrial expansion with environmental conservation while pursuing long-term economic development.
Analysts believe the visit reflects Nigeria’s determination to learn from successful African industrial models and accelerate policies that promote value addition, manufacturing, export diversification, and inclusive economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
