Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will commission Nigeria’s largest safety footwear manufacturing factory, established by Yikodeen Company Limited signaling a major boost to local manufacturing and industrial development.
In a statement on Monday, Yikodeen announced the official unveiling of its newly expanded, ultra-modern facility in Lagos.
The commissioning ceremony, set for June 24, 2025, will be presided over by Governor Sanwo-Olu and attended by top dignitaries from government, industry, and traditional institutions.
The event is expected to be a landmark moment for Yikodeen and a major step forward for Nigeria’s industrial agenda. With its newly completed expansion, Yikodeen now operates West Africa’s largest safety footwear factory a 120,000-square-foot, world-class facility with the capacity to produce 5,000 pairs of safety boots each day.
This marks a remarkable 250-fold increase from Yikodeen’s modest start in 2016, when the company produced just 20 pairs of safety boots per day.
The upcoming commissioning ceremony will welcome distinguished guests, including traditional rulers such as His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri. Also expected is the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Felix Ogbe, whose attendance highlights the Board’s ongoing support for building indigenous capacity in strategic industrial sectors.
Ajibola Akindele, Chairman of Yikodeen’s Board of Directors, will serve as Chief Host, welcoming guests alongside the company’s leadership and team.
According to Atunde Olayinka, CEO of Yikodeen Company Limited, the commissioning represents far more than a ceremonial ribbon-cutting it signifies a bold step forward in Nigeria’s industrial journey.
“It is a statement of purpose—a testament to what can be achieved when visionary leadership, homegrown talent, and sustained investment come together in pursuit of national progress,” he said. “This is more than the launch of a factory; it is the beginning of a new chapter in industrial self-sufficiency for Nigeria and the African continent.”
“The new facility is outfitted with cutting-edge manufacturing and quality control systems, including automated European production lines, high-precision quality assurance tools, and fully integrated workflows. It supports a wide range of products, including industrial safety boots, school footwear, and the rapidly growing Yiko Plus athletic shoe brand.
This large-scale, efficient operation is a strategic move to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported safety footwear while fostering local employment. Since the expansion began, Yikodeen has added over 180 skilled positions and expects to hire at least 20 more as production reaches full capacity.
Furthermore, the factory’s increased capacity is projected to contribute over ₦5 billion annually to the Nigerian economy through job creation, local sourcing, and engagement with regional supply chains.”
