Yikodeen to Launch West Africa’s Largest Safety Footwear Factory Tomorrow

In what promises to be a watershed moment for African manufacturing, Yikodeen will officially unveil its revolutionary expanded production facility on Tuesday, June 24th, marking Nigeria’s boldest leap into world-class industrial manufacturing. The highly anticipated recommissioning ceremony will be launched by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, who will serve as Chairperson of the Occasion and Chief Launcher for what is now West Africa’s most sophisticated footwear manufacturing operation.

The spectacular unveiling will showcase Nigeria’s most advanced footwear manufacturing facility, a 120,000-square-foot technological marvel engineered to produce 5,000 pairs daily, while providing employment for over 350 skilled Nigerian professionals. This represents a dramatic evolution from Yikodeen’s humble beginnings in 2016, when the company produced just 20 pairs daily, to its current position as West Africa’s leading footwear manufacturer.

Distinguished attendees at Tuesday’s ceremony will include His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, also expected are revered traditional rulers including His Royal Highness, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), CFR, the 51st Ooni of Ife, and His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, 21st Olu of Warri, and Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, all serving as Special Guests of Honor. Chief Host Engr. Ajibola Akindele, MFR, Chairman of Yikodeen’s Board of Directors, will welcome these distinguished dignitaries alongside prominent members of Nigeria’s business community and key industry stakeholders. International partners and investors will join local dignitaries to witness this remarkable achievement in indigenous manufacturing excellence.

“Tuesday’s event represents more than a factory opening, it’s a declaration that Nigerian manufacturing has arrived on the global stage,” said Yinka Shamsideen, Founder and CEO of Yikodeen. “What our guests will witness demonstrates that with strategic vision, proper investment, and exceptional Nigerian talent, we can create manufacturing operations that rival the world’s best while generating substantial economic opportunities for our people.”

The expanded facility incorporates cutting-edge European manufacturing systems, automated precision quality control technologies, and specialized production capabilities spanning industrial safety footwear, educational products, and high-performance athletic gear. These technological advances position Yikodeen to compete directly with international manufacturers while maintaining deep expertise in meeting local market demands.

The impact extends far beyond production metrics. Since announcing the expansion, Yikodeen has created 180 new positions, with plans to add 20 additional roles as operations reach full capacity. The company’s expanded local supplier network generates multiplier effects throughout the regional economy, with projected annual contributions exceeding ₦2 billion while significantly reducing Nigeria’s import dependency in the footwear sector.

Dr. Oduwole’s participation as Chief Launcher underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting indigenous manufacturing and industrial development, while Governor Sanwo-Olu’s presence as Special Guest of Honor reflects Lagos State’s vision for economic diversification and job creation. The Yikodeen facility represents a flagship example of the kind of advanced manufacturing operations that align with Nigeria’s broader industrialisation agenda.

The facility’s commissioning marks a significant milestone in Yikodeen’s mission to establish Nigeria as a recognised leader in quality manufacturing across the African continent. The company’s commitment to excellence extends beyond production metrics to encompass skills development, technology transfer, and sustainable manufacturing practices that benefit the broader Nigerian economy.

The recommissioned facility will immediately begin full-scale production across Yikodeen’s comprehensive product portfolio, including the renowned industrial safety collection, educational footwear line, and the rapidly growing Yiko Plus athletic brand. National distribution scaling will begin immediately following Tuesday’s ceremony, with strategic export market development planned for the coming quarter.

International observers view Tuesday’s event as confirmation of Nigeria’s emerging position as a regional manufacturing hub. The facility’s advanced capabilities, combined with Nigeria’s skilled workforce and strategic market position, create compelling opportunities for both domestic market leadership and export expansion across West and Central Africa.