The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has affirmed that the Federal Government’s Public-Private Partnership initiative for shoe and garment production under the Nigeria Correctional Service is capable of meeting the uniform demands of Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies.
The Director General of ICRC, Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by Jimmy Ntuen, Chief Executive Officer of Erojim Investments Limited the concessionaire managing the Aba-based factory.
According to Ewalefoh, the factories form part of the government’s push for local content development, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive on prioritizing locally manufactured goods under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“With the Aba shoe and garment factory capable of producing 1,500 shoes per day, and a tannery set to open in Kano, we are confident that Nigeria can fully meet the uniform needs of our paramilitary agencies.
“This is not just about producing shoes and garments it’s about creating jobs, supporting local industries, and reducing our dependency on imports in line with the President’s directive to patronize made-in-Nigeria goods.”
He added that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not merely a political promise but “a strategic blueprint for self-reliance, local capacity development, and economic growth driven by effective PPPs.”
Ntuen, in his remarks, praised the support of President Tinubu, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and the ICRC, describing it as pivotal to the project’s success.
He stated that the Aba facility regarded as the largest shoe factory in West Africa has an installed capacity to produce 1,500 shoes and cut 10,000 garments daily.
Already, the facility has supplied thousands of shoes to the NCoS and is ready to serve other paramilitary agencies.
“We have the capability to meet the local needs of government agencies, and very soon, we will begin producing for the general public,” he noted.
Ntuen revealed that the Aba factory has created over 300 direct jobs, and an upcoming leather, shoe, and garment factory expected to launch in three months will add another 340 direct and over 1,500 indirect jobs.
He further emphasized the quality of the products, stating, “The quality of shoes produced at the factory is comparable with global brands,” and credited the achievement to the potential of Nigerian craftsmanship when properly supported.