Kwara State in the northern part of Nigeria is gearing up to claim a substantial share of the global garment market, targeting at least 2% with the commencement of operations at its newly established factory—the largest in the West African subregion. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s initiative includes the launch of a garment factory, a pivotal project in the state’s drive for socioeconomic growth.
Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji, the Managing Director of the state’s garment factory, emphasized the significant gap in the ready-to-wear garment market in Nigeria. She outlined the factory’s mission to mass-produce locally and internationally for brands and corporate organizations, aiming to secure 2% of the global market share.
The state-of-the-art facility boasts cutting-edge machinery, including the Oshima automatic fabric cutting machine, the first of its kind in West Africa. Production is set to begin in the first quarter of 2024, with the current recruitment phase aiming to employ 300 workers initially and reaching a full capacity workforce of 4,000.
Adedeji highlighted the broad economic impact, anticipating increased revenue generation, job creation, and a boost to various sectors, including transportation, catering services, and raw material supply. The factory’s future plans include backward integration, sourcing raw materials locally, and setting up a cotton farm for competitive pricing in the global market.
Quality control measures are a priority, ensuring that products meet the established standards before leaving the factory. Adedeji emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards through continuous training of quality control officers.
The initiative aligns with a comprehensive feasibility study, addressing market gaps and ensuring sustainability. Adedeji mentioned a production target of 10,000 garments daily, utilizing the advanced cutting machine capabilities.
In addition to being an empowerment and employment hub, the factory aims to foster creativity, especially among unskilled women and youths. Training opportunities will be provided, and partnerships with the private sector are envisioned for future sustainability.
A focus on Aso-Oke materials, representing the heritage of Ilorin, is planned, tapping into the Aso-Oke market and industry. The Kwara State Garment Factory aims to redefine the Nigerian garment manufacturing environment and achieve global recognition by catering to both local and international markets.
