Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, embarked on a high-level working visit to the Republic of Benin to seek a new investment path for Nigeria’s textile industry.

The vice president’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, said in a statement on Thursday that Mr Shettima was accompanied by the governors of Imo, Zamfara, Plateau, Kwara, Katsina, and Jigawa states, as well as top government officials.

Mr Nkwocha explained that the delegation would visit the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), near Cotonou.

He also said the delegation would engage representatives of the Beninese government, investors, and private-sector operators involved in the development and management of the industrial hub.

Mr Nkwocha said the visit was aimed at strengthening the implementation of Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme.

“It will draw practical lessons from Benin’s approach to agricultural value addition, industrial infrastructure, investment mobilisation, skills development and export-oriented production.

“Particular attention will be given to the GDIZ textile park, which operates an integrated production system covering cotton spinning, weaving, fabric processing and garment manufacturing,” Nkwocha said.

He said the industrial zone covered about 1,640 hectares and was designed to move agricultural commodities from the supply of raw materials through processing to the export of finished products.

“The visit comes at a time when the federal government is seeking to rebuild a textile industry that remains economically significant in spite of years of factory closures, weak local processing, and intense competition from imported fabrics and garments.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ figures, Nigeria’s textile, apparel, and footwear industry was valued at approximately ₦8.15 trillion at current prices in 2024.

“The industry generated another ₦2.45 trillion in nominal output during the first quarter of 2025.

“The visit will therefore provide an opportunity to examine how Nigeria can develop stronger linkages among cotton farmers, ginneries, spinning mills, textile manufacturers, fashion businesses, and export markets,” Mr Nkwocha explained.

He said Nigeria possessed a large domestic market for fabrics, ready-made garments, school uniforms, workwear, medical textiles, footwear, home furnishings, and fashion products.

“Developing local capacity across these segments could reduce dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange, and create employment across farming, manufacturing, logistics, design, and retail.

“The delegation is also expected to explore opportunities for technology and industrial training, modern machinery, reliable energy systems, common processing facilities, and stronger public-private partnerships,” Mr Nkwocha added.

(NAN)