…as Tinubu’s wife empowers 18,500 women
The Lagos State Government is targeting an annual revenue of about N387 billion from hides and skins processing at its newly established Leather Hub at the Matori Industrial Estate in Mushin.
The Leather Hub, named after Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Nigerian president, and commissioned by her on Saturday, August 23, 2025, will process hides and skins into finished products for export and the domestic market.
At the commissioning, which attracted top officials of the Lagos State Government, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted that the project would provide export earnings of about $250 million (an equivalent of N378 billion) annually when fully operational
“From today, hides and skins 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 percent 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.
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“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.
Speaking at the event, Oluremi Tinubu, who is on an official visit to Lagos State, said the ultra-modern facility represented another milestone in the drive to empower artisans, strengthen the nation’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and promote local manufacturing.
She praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for the bold initiative: “By investing in this Hub, the Lagos State Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to job creation, productivity and sustainable economic development.
‘’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.”
The first lady said the project aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, 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 specialised training, enabling artisans to add greater value to their craft and compete confidently in both local and international markets.’’
She urged the beneficiaries to utilise this facility; artisans, entrepreneurs, and youths to take full advantage of the opportunities it offers.
‘’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.’’
Read also: Scaling women-led shoemaking clusters in Nigeria’s leather industry
“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 benefited from Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative Empowerment Programme, themed: “Empowering Women For Self-Reliance and SDGs Acceleration.”
The president’s wife presented the empowerment tools to women in Lagos to enable them to 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 pre-selected women beneficiaries in Lagos State and other South-West states, including Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, 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.
She clarified that the Lagos State government added 500 empowerment tools to give room for 1000 women to benefit in Lagos, while 18,500 will benefit across the country.
