State governors pledge to replicate Benin Republic’s industrial hub model in Nigeria
By Precious Mark
Six state governors have pledged to adapt key lessons from the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in the Republic of Benin to accelerate state-level agro-industrial development, reactivate domestic manufacturing, and expand job creation for Nigerian youth.
The state chief executives made the commitment after joining Vice President Kashim Shettima on an assessment tour of the integrated industrial hub near Cotonou, where local agricultural raw materials; including cotton, cashew nuts, and soybeans; are processed into export-ready goods.
The visiting delegation included Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).
Speaking during the inspection, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the assessment as an African peer-learning effort designed to help Nigerian states optimize implementation strategy and avoid operational bottlenecks.
“Nigeria is on the verge of developing industrial processing zones across the federation. We previously visited Ethiopia to study what they had done, and we are now in Benin Republic to learn from both the challenges and the successes of this industrial zone,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We have examined the cotton, cashew and soybean value chains. What we have seen has been a tremendous success, and we will take these lessons back to Nigeria as we implement our own projects,” he added.
Governor AbdulRazaq explained that participating states are aligning with the Federal Government and international development partners—including the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and International Fund for Agricultural Development—to roll out required infrastructure under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program.
Highlighting regional impact, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi noted that value-addition strategies observed at the zone will directly strengthen state-level processing initiatives.
“What we have seen here is very encouraging, both for us as a country and as a state. We have learnt many things that will help us industrialise Jigawa and create sustainable jobs for our young people,” Namadi stated.
“With the adoption of this concept and the implementation of the SAPZ programme in Nigeria, Jigawa will be able to add value to its agricultural products and create more opportunities for its people,” he added.
For Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, the tour underscored the urgent necessity of rebuilding Northern Nigeria’s historic textile industry.
“This takes me down memory lane because I grew up around this industry. My father was one of the owners of the Zamfara Textile Industry,” Lawal remarked.
“At one point, the factory operated three shifts, with about 2,000 workers on each shift. Zamfara also had about 23 ginneries and an oil mill, where even cotton seeds were converted into oil,” he recalled.
“This visit has given me a clear pathway. Reviving this industry is one of the legacies I want to leave in Zamfara State, and I am determined to make it a reality,” Lawal noted.
Expressing confidence in the regional partnership model, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sending the high-level delegation to inspect the facility.
“We are satisfied with what we have seen. If this model is properly adapted in Nigeria, with every state building around its comparative advantage, we will create the prosperity and employment opportunities our people need,” Uzodimma observed.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda offers a pathway for addressing poverty, expanding production and leaving lasting economic legacies for future generations,” he added.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda emphasized that Katsina possesses significant comparative advantages in cotton and soybean production that can feed similar state hubs.
“What we have seen today is achievable in our states. Katsina is one of Nigeria’s major cotton-producing states, and we are also doing well in soybean production,” Radda said.
“We have both comparative and competitive advantages in these commodities. By applying the lessons from this zone, we can create jobs for our young people, generate wealth and build stronger links between agriculture and industry,” he stressed.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang noted that converting agricultural potential into actual industrial output requires clear political resolve and execution discipline.
“What we have seen is something that has moved from an idea to reality. The lesson is that this kind of success requires intentionality. It cannot happen by chance. It requires political will and the appointment of the right people to drive the process,” Mutfwang stated.
“We came with the Vice President to see a practical demonstration of what we have been discussing. This aligns with the President’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy. That ambition must be driven by production, processing and a firm belief that Nigeria has the capacity to achieve it,” Mutfwang concluded.