The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has disclosed that the Federal Government's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative involving the Aba-based shoe and garment factory under the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) is strategically positioned to meet a significant portion of the uniform needs of Nigeria's paramilitary agencies.
This move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive for all government institutions to prioritize the procurement of locally produced goods under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
During a courtesy visit by Dr. Jimmy Ntuen, Chief Executive Officer of Erojim Investments Limited—the concessionaire managing the Aba facility—the Director General of ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, emphasized the economic impact of the initiative. He noted that the facility, in conjunction with an upcoming leather tannery in Kano, will drastically cut Nigeria's dependence on imported uniforms.
"With the Aba shoe and garment factory producing up to 1,500 shoes daily and a leather tannery set to open in Kano, Nigeria is well on its way to fully meeting the uniform requirements of its paramilitary services," Dr. Ewalefoh stated.
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He explained that the effort goes beyond manufacturing. "This is about job creation, stimulating local industries, and driving import substitution. It aligns directly with President Tinubu's call for made-in-Nigeria solutions," he added.
Dr. Ewalefoh also underscored the Renewed Hope Agenda as more than just a political statement—describing it as a strategic framework for enhancing self-reliance, building local production capacity, and fostering economic growth through PPPs.
In his remarks, Dr. Jimmy Ntuen praised the support of the Federal Government, the ICRC, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, noting that such collaboration has been vital to the facility's success. He described the Aba plant as the largest shoe factory in West Africa, equipped to cut 10,000 garments and manufacture 1,500 pairs of shoes daily.
"We have already fulfilled large-scale shoe orders for the Nigeria Correctional Service and are ready to serve other paramilitary agencies. Soon, we'll begin producing for the wider public," Dr. Ntuen said.
He further noted that the factory has created over 300 direct jobs, with an additional 340 direct and over 1,500 indirect jobs expected when a new integrated facility opens in three months.
Highlighting product quality, Dr. Ntuen affirmed that shoes produced at the Aba factory rival international standards, showcasing the world-class potential of Nigerian craftsmanship when properly supported.
