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…As 18,500 Women To Get Empowered
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that the state government will earn $250 million and equivalent of N387.5 billion annually from the newly-unveiled Oluremi Tinubu Industrial Leather Hub located in Matori, Mushin area of the state.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Lagos State Industrial Leather Hub, renamed Oluremi Tinubu’s Industrial Leather Hub on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the project will provide export earnings in excess of $250 million annually when fully operational.
Sanwo-Olu said: “From today, hides and skin that once left our shores unprocessed will be transformed here in Lagos into world-class footwear, garments, and accessories proudly stamped ‘Made-in-Lagos, Made-in-Nigeria.’
“We will be creating over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the first three years, with 70% of them reserved for women and youth. More than 150,000 artisans will benefit from cutting-edge training and start-up support, ensuring no talent is left behind.
“Export earnings in excess of $250 million are projected annually when the hub is fully operational, positioning Lagos as the leather logistics capital of West Africa.
“But beyond the numbers lies a deeper promise, the promise that a young girl from a modest background can now dream bigger, knowing that the tools, the mentorship, and the market are within her reach,” Sanwo-Olu added.
In her address, at the unveiling of the Leather Hub, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is on an official visit to Lagos State, said the ultra-modern facility represents another milestone in the drive to empower artisans, strengthen the nation’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as promote local manufacturing.
She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for the bold and progressive initiative, saying: “By investing in this hub, the Lagos State government has once again demonstrated its commitment to job creation, productivity and sustainable economic development. I say well done.
‘’Indeed, Lagos has always been a trailblazer, and this project further reinforces the state’s reputation as the heartbeat of innovation and enterprise in Nigeria.
‘’This project is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to accelerate diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation in order to create a dynamic and diverse economic landscape.
‘’Leather work is a traditional craft that has stood the test of time. I am informed that this hub will serve as a centre for leather processing, footwear production, and specialized training, enabling artisans to add greater value to their craft and compete confidently in both local and international markets.’’
While urging the beneficiaries to utilize this facility; artisans, entrepreneurs, youths to take full advantage of the opportunities it offers, Tinubu’s wife said: ‘’Dedicate yourselves to excellence, hard work, embrace continuous learning and position your products to compete in the global market.
“As we unveil this Hub today, let us see it as a beacon of possibilities. A symbol of how government and citizens can work together to turn challenges into opportunities and to create prosperity for our people.
“By providing these empowerment tools, we are not just giving handouts—we are planting seeds of enterprise, self-reliance, and long-term prosperity.”
Meanwhile, about 1,000 women in Lagos State benefitted from Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative Empowerment Programme, themed: “Empowering Women For Self-Reliance and SDGs Acceleration.”
Oluremi Tinubu, presented the empowerment tools to women in Lagos State to enable them contribute to the development of the state, country, as well as become self-reliant.
Speaking during the flag-off of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs/Renewed Hope Initiative Women Empowerment Programme (South-West) at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday, Tinubu, who is Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), said that 500 preselected women beneficiaries in Lagos State and other South-West states in the geo-political zone namely: Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Lagos states were provided with items such as deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines to support them in starting or growing their existing businesses.
Recognizing the critical role women play in nation-building, Tinubu’s wife said that the “programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises inclusivity, economic growth, and sustainable development for all Nigerians, particularly women economic empowerment.
“Similarly, the empowerment of women in all spheres of life is central to achieving all the SDGs, especially SDG-5 on ‘achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls’ and SDG-8 on “decent work and economic growth,” which are all relevant to the purpose of this gathering.”
Affirming that the items are to equip women with the necessary tools and resources needed to build successful businesses and to contribute to the prosperity of the nation, Tinubu urged them to use the resources judiciously to grow their businesses.
“Let these items serve as a foundation for creating a better life for yourselves and your families,” she added.
Governor, Sanwo-Olu, who commended Senator Tinubu for her commitment to good governance in over 27 years, appealed to beneficiaries not to sell the empowerment equipment but utilize them judiciously to grow wealth and increase the state’s Gross Domestic Product.
Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State governor, who is also the state Renewed Hope Initiative Coordinator, said that the programme is yet another impactful initiative designed to provide women with the necessary work tools that will support their enterprises, promote independence, and open doors of opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
“This noble gesture is not just about economic empowerment; it is about restoring dignity, giving hope, and equipping women to unlock their full potential.
She said: “When women are empowered, families are strengthened, communities are uplifted, and societies thrive. Indeed, women remain the solid pillars of their homes and indispensable contributors to national growth and development.
“By providing these empowerment tools, Sanwo-Olu’s wife said, “We are not just giving handouts—we are planting seeds of enterprise, self-reliance, and long-term prosperity.”
She said that state administration remains committed to making women empowerment a core priority in the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.
She urged beneficiaries of the gesture not to trivialize the golden opportunity but to use the tools to lift themselves, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.