Sanwo-Olu commissions footwear factory in Lagos
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu commissions footwear factory in Lagos
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is set to commission the largest safety footwear manufacturing factory in Nigeria, owned by Yikodeen Company Limited, marking a significant boost to local production and industrial growth.
In a statement on Monday, it was noted that Yikodeen Company Limited is set to officially unveil its ultra-modern, expanded manufacturing facility in Lagos.
It stated, “The commissioning ceremony, scheduled for June 24, 2025, will be chaired by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and will feature the attendance of other highly esteemed dignitaries from across government, industry, and traditional institutions.
“The event is expected to mark a pivotal moment not only for Yikodeen but for Nigeria’s broader industrial ambitions. With the completion of this expansion, Yikodeen now operates the largest safety footwear manufacturing plant in West Africa, a 120,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility capable of producing 5,000 pairs of safety boots per day.
This represents a 250-fold increase from the company’s humble beginnings in 2016, when daily output stood at just 20 pairs.
“Guests at the upcoming ceremony will include traditional rulers such as His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri. Also expected is the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Felix Ogbe, whose presence underscores the Board’s continued commitment to indigenous capacity development in key industrial sectors. The Chairman of Yikodeen’s Board of Directors, Ajibola Akindele, will serve as Chief Host and welcome guests alongside Yikodeen’s leadership and team.”
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Yikodeen Company Limited, Atunde Olayinka, the commissioning is more than a ribbon-cutting event.
“It is a declaration of intent; a symbol of what is possible when visionary thinking, local talent, and long-term investment converge in the service of national development,” he said. “We are not just opening a factory; we are unlocking new possibilities for industrial self-reliance in Nigeria and across Africa.
“The new facility is equipped with some of the most advanced manufacturing and quality control technologies available globally. These include automated European production lines, precision-based quality assurance systems, and fully integrated production processes that support a diverse product range: industrial safety boots, educational footwear, and the fast-growing Yiko Plus athletic shoe line.
“The scale and efficiency of the new factory reflect a deliberate strategy to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported safety footwear while promoting local job creation. Since the start of the expansion phase, Yikodeen has added over 180 skilled roles and anticipates hiring at least 20 more as operations scale to full capacity.
“Moreover, the factory’s increased output is projected to inject over N5 bn annually into the Nigerian economy through direct employment, local procurement, and regional supply chain engagement.”
The statement further noted that the expansion was made possible through a strategic investment from Aruwa Capital Management, one of Nigeria’s leading women-founded and women-focused private equity funds.
It added, “While the financial terms were not publicly disclosed, the investment is widely believed to be in the multi-million-dollar range and was deployed to accelerate Yikodeen’s digital transformation, factory upgrade, and market expansion initiatives. This capital infusion also enabled the company to deepen its local sourcing capabilities and position itself for entry into key regional markets.”
It stated that Sanwo-Olu is expected to speak on the significance of industrial development in Lagos State and the importance of supporting homegrown enterprises that are committed to manufacturing excellence.
“His participation reflects the Lagos State government’s ongoing interest in catalysing local production and job creation as key drivers of economic transformation,” the statement added.
