Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is set to commission Nigeria’s largest safety footwear manufacturing factory on June 24, 2025, marking a landmark achievement for local industrial growth and self-reliance. The factory, owned by Yikodeen Company Limited, is now the biggest of its kind in West Africa.
According to a statement by the company, the newly expanded 120,000-square-foot facility in Lagos boasts a daily production capacity of 5,000 pairs of safety boots, a massive leap from its initial 20 pairs per day when Yikodeen began operations in 2016.
The commissioning ceremony will attract key dignitaries including:
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Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife
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Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri
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Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)
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Ajibola Akindele, Chairman of Yikodeen’s Board of Directors
Yikodeen CEO Atunde Olayinka described the factory launch as more than just an unveiling. “It’s a bold statement of intent about what Nigerian industry can achieve when vision, talent, and investment come together,” he said.
The cutting-edge factory is equipped with automated European production lines, precision quality assurance systems, and integrated processes that support the production of industrial safety boots, educational footwear, and Yikodeen’s growing Yiko Plus athletic shoe line.
The expansion—backed by an undisclosed multi-million-dollar investment from Aruwa Capital Management, a female-founded private equity firm—has already created over 180 new skilled jobs, with plans for at least 20 more hires as operations reach full capacity. The company expects to inject over ₦5 billion annually into Nigeria’s economy through job creation, procurement, and supply chain partnerships.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is expected to emphasize Lagos State’s commitment to industrial development, job creation, and the empowerment of indigenous businesses.
This development aligns with the state’s broader economic vision to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen local manufacturing capabilities.
