Nigeria’s industrial landscape is poised for a significant leap as Yikodeen Company Limited prepares to commission its newly expanded, ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Lagos on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The high-profile event will be chaired by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and attended by key figures across government, traditional leadership, and the private sector.
The facility — now the largest safety footwear manufacturing plant in West Africa — spans 120,000 square feet and has the capacity to produce 5,000 pairs of safety boots daily, a dramatic increase from its modest beginnings in 2016 with just 20 pairs per day.
A Bold Statement of Local Manufacturing Excellence
According to Founder and CEO Atunde Shamsideen Olayinka, this milestone is not merely a factory launch but a declaration of Nigeria’s potential for industrial self-reliance.
“This is more than a ribbon-cutting; it’s a symbol of what can happen when local talent, vision, and long-term investment converge to serve national development,” he said.
The factory’s advanced features include automated European production lines, precision-driven quality control systems, and fully integrated processes supporting a diverse product lineup: industrial safety boots, educational footwear, and the Yiko Plus athletic range.
Transforming Jobs, Industry, and Impact
Since beginning the expansion, Yikodeen has created over 180 skilled jobs and plans to onboard at least 20 more staff as the plant reaches full capacity. The facility is projected to inject over ₦5 billion annually into the Nigerian economy through employment, local procurement, and supply chain engagement.
The expansion was made possible through a strategic investment by Aruwa Capital Management, a women-led private equity firm. The funding, believed to be in the multi-million-dollar range, supported Yikodeen’s digital transformation, market expansion, and factory upgrades.
Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, Aruwa Capital’s Founder and Managing Partner, stated:
“Yikodeen is a testament that world-class products can be made locally and at scale by Nigerians. Our investment is in both the mission and the model.”
National Significance and Local Content Leadership
Yikodeen is the only safety footwear manufacturer certified by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to supply boots to the nation’s oil and gas sector—an endorsement of its compliance, quality, and commitment to local content standards.
Expected dignitaries include:
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Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ooni of Ife
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Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, Olu of Warri
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Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary, NCDMB
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Engr. Ajibola Akindele, MFR, Yikodeen Board Chairman
Beyond Manufacturing: A Commitment to Social Impact
The commissioning ceremony will also feature a documentary presentation chronicling Yikodeen’s transformation from a microenterprise to a continental leader. A separate segment will highlight the firm’s contributions to youth training, SME mentorship, and capital access initiatives.
Attendees will experience guided tours of the production floor, view product exhibits, and engage directly with the company’s leadership in a Q&A session on vision and strategy.
A Call to Reimagine Nigeria’s Industrial Future
Governor Sanwo-Olu is expected to deliver remarks emphasizing the importance of supporting local manufacturing and its role in job creation and economic transformation. His participation signals Lagos State’s continued support for enterprises committed to innovation and local capacity building.
Themed “The Walk That Matters,” the event represents more than the opening of a facility—it symbolizes Nigeria’s renewed journey toward self-sufficiency and industrial excellence.
Yikodeen is already positioning itself for regional expansion, with the new facility meeting both local and international standards for scale, compliance, and innovation.
