Made-in-Nigeria to Fulfill Uniform and Boots Demand
By Patience Ikpeme
Nigeria is now positioned to independently meet the shoe, garment, and uniform requirements of its paramilitary agencies, thanks to the imminent operationalization of a major shoe and garment factory in Aba and a forthcoming tannery in Kano State.
This development signals a significant stride towards national self-reliance in critical supplies.
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, revealed this during a courtesy visit in Abuja by Dr. Jimmy Ntuen, Chief Executive Officer of Erojim Investments Limited.
A statement released by ICRC spokesperson Ifeanyi Nwoko quoted Dr. Ewalefoh as stating that the Federal Government’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative involving the shoe and garment factory under the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) possesses the capacity to fulfill a substantial portion of the uniform needs of Nigeria’s paramilitary organizations.
This progress aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive prioritizing the procurement of locally manufactured goods, a key element of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Ewalefoh affirmed that the Aba-based shoe and garment factory, coupled with the tannery (leather processing facility) slated to open in Kano, will considerably lessen Nigeria’s dependence on imports.
“With the Aba shoe and garment factory capable of producing 1,500 shoes per day, and a tannery set to open in Kano, we are confident that Nigeria can fully meet the uniform needs of our paramilitary agencies,” Dr. Ewalefoh stated. “This initiative extends beyond mere production; it is about generating employment, bolstering local industries, and decreasing our reliance on foreign goods, in line with the President’s mandate to support made-in-Nigeria products.”
He further explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda represents a strategic plan for self-reliance, the development of local capabilities, and economic growth propelled by effective Public Private Partnerships.
Dr. Ntuen, CEO of Erojim Investment Ltd—the concessionaire overseeing the Aba facility—expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and the ICRC for their crucial support, which he described as vital to the project’s success.
According to Dr. Ntuen, the Aba factory, which he described as the largest shoe factory in West Africa, boasts an installed capacity to produce 1,500 shoes and cut 10,000 garments daily. He disclosed that the facility has already supplied thousands of high-quality shoes to the NCoS and is prepared to meet the demands of other paramilitary agencies.
“We have the capability to meet the local needs of government agencies, and very soon, we will begin producing for the general public,” he announced.
Dr. Ntuen further noted the significant job creation resulting from the project. “Our Aba factory has created over 300 direct jobs, and the new leather, shoe, and garment factory launching in three months will create an additional 340 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs.”
Dr. Ntuen also asserted that the quality of shoes manufactured at the factory is comparable to international brands, demonstrating the potential of Nigerian craftsmanship when adequately supported.
