Nigeria Studies Benin's Textile Model for Industry Revival

The Nigerian government, under Vice-President Kashim Shettima, is focused on reviving the country's textile industry by studying the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Benin Republic. This delegation, which included governors from Imo, Plateau, Kwara, Zamfara, Katsina, and Jigawa states, visited GDIZ to gather insights for the federal government's Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) program.

The textile sector in Nigeria has significantly declined, with many factories closing due to weak local processing and competition from cheap imports. Historically, Nigeria's textile industry was robust, employing 500,000 workers and contributing significantly to the GDP.

However, as of 2024, the industry's value was only N8.15 trillion, with N2.5 trillion generated in the first half of 2025. The delegation's visit aims to explore opportunities for technology transfer, skill development, and public-private partnerships to enhance competitiveness in Nigeria's textile sector.