Six state governors have expressed their commitment to adopting lessons from the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in the Republic of Benin as part of efforts to restore Nigeria’s textile industry and strengthen local manufacturing.
The governors made the pledge during a guided tour of the industrial hub near Cotonou alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima. The visit forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to establish agro-industrial processing centres and boost value addition across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The delegation included Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Dikko Radda (Katsina), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).
They noted that the Beninese industrial zone demonstrated how coordinated government policies, adequate infrastructure and private investment could drive industrial growth, create employment, reduce exports of raw agricultural products and strengthen local processing industries.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq, described the visit as a valuable learning experience for Nigerian states preparing to establish industrial processing zones.
According to him, the delegation had previously visited Ethiopia to study its industrial development model and was now in Benin to understand both the achievements and challenges of the GDIZ project.
He said the team inspected the cotton, cashew and soybean value chains and was impressed by the progress made, adding that the knowledge gained would guide similar initiatives back home.
AbdulRazaq further disclosed that participating states were collaborating with the Federal Government and development partners to provide the infrastructure needed for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa said the visit provided useful insights that would support his administration’s plans to improve agricultural value addition through the SAPZ programme.
He expressed confidence that adopting the model would help Jigawa industrialise, generate employment and increase the value of its agricultural produce.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara said the tour reminded him of the state’s once-thriving textile industry, which had numerous factories, cotton ginneries and oil mills employing thousands of workers.
Recalling that his father was among the owners of the former Zamfara Textile Industry, Lawal said the experience had strengthened his resolve to revive cotton farming and textile production in the state.
He added that rebuilding the entire value chain would create jobs, improve processing activities and stimulate economic growth.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo stressed the need for stronger collaboration among African countries through the exchange of ideas and best practices in industrial development.
He praised President Tinubu for initiating the visit through Vice President Shettima, saying Nigeria could unlock significant economic opportunities if states focused on industries that matched their comparative advantages.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina also said the production model observed at GDIZ could be replicated in states with strong agricultural resources.
He pointed out that Katsina’s strength in cotton and soybean production positioned it well to benefit from similar industrial investments capable of creating jobs and expanding wealth.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau described the industrial zone as evidence that deliberate planning, political commitment and competent leadership could transform development ideas into successful projects.
He maintained that Nigeria possessed enormous agricultural potential but needed to prioritise processing and manufacturing rather than exporting raw produce.
Mutfwang added that the visit aligned with President Tinubu’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy through increased production, industrialisation and value addition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the study visit is expected to support ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and participating states to develop agro-industrial processing zones across the country.
Six Governors Seek to Replicate Benin’s Industrial Model to Revive Nigeria’s Textile Sector
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