Sanwo-Olu to commission Africa’s largest safety footwear factory in Lagos

June 24, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will commission the largest safety footwear manufacturing factory in Nigeria, owned by Yikodeen Company Limited.

The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and will feature prominent dignitaries from government, industry, and traditional institutions.

The factory, a 120,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, is capable of producing 5,000 pairs of safety boots per day.

This represents a significant increase from the company’s humble beginnings in 2016, when daily output stood at just 20 pairs.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Yikodeen Company Limited, Atunde Olayinka, the commissioning is more than a ribbon-cutting event.

“It is a declaration of intent; a symbol of what is possible when visionary thinking, local talent, and long-term investment converge in the service of national development,” he said.

“We are not just opening a factory; we are unlocking new possibilities for industrial self-reliance in Nigeria and across Africa.”

The new facility is equipped with advanced manufacturing and quality control technologies, including automated European production lines and precision-based quality assurance systems.

The factory will support a diverse product range, including industrial safety boots, educational footwear, and athletic shoes.

The expansion has created over 180 skilled jobs, with at least 20 more anticipated as operations scale to full capacity.

This move is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported safety footwear while promoting local job creation.

Guests at the ceremony will include traditional rulers, government officials, and industry leaders.