Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said his administration plans to create thousands of jobs by reviving the state’s textile industry, cotton ginneries and oil mills.
Lawal made the pledge after accompanying Vice President Kashim Shettima on an inspection tour of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) near Cotonou, Benin Republic, where agricultural products such as cotton, cashew nuts and soybeans are processed into finished and semi-finished goods.
According to a statement by the Vice President’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, the visit was part of Nigeria’s efforts to develop agro-industrial processing hubs, boost local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
Speaking after the tour, Governor Lawal said the Benin Republic’s industrial model showed how strong government policies, quality infrastructure and private-sector investment could transform agriculture by linking farmers to processing industries, reducing the export of raw materials and creating jobs across the value chain.
The governor recalled the glory days of Zamfara’s textile industry, noting that it once provided employment for thousands of people.
“This takes me down memory lane because I grew up around this industry. My father was one of the owners of the Zamfara Textile Industry,” he said.
“At one point, the factory operated three shifts, with about 2,000 workers on each shift. Zamfara also had about 23 ginneries and an oil mill, where even cotton seeds were processed into cooking oil.”
Lawal said the visit had strengthened his resolve to restore cotton farming and textile production in the state.
“This visit has given me a clear pathway. Reviving this industry is one of the legacies I want to leave in Zamfara State, and I am determined to make it a reality,” he said.
He added that restoring the entire value chain would benefit farmers, processors and manufacturers while creating jobs and improving the state’s economy.
Other governors on the inspection tour included Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina) and Umar Namadi(Jigawa).
