Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday inaugurated the Lagos State Leather Hub in Mushin, a state-of-the-art facility designed to transform Nigeria’s leather industry, create at least 10,000 jobs, and drive an estimated $250 million in annual export earnings.
The hub was formally commissioned by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her three-day working visit to Lagos. The project, named in her honor, recognizes her contributions to grassroots empowerment and social investment. According to officials, 70 percent of employment slots will be reserved for women and young people, making the hub a strategic tool for inclusive growth.
Boosting Manufacturing and SMEs in Lagos
Equipped with modern leather-processing and manufacturing machinery, the Mushin hub will serve Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs), enabling large-scale production of shoes, bags, belts, and other accessories. The facility is also expected to position Lagos as the leather logistics capital of West Africa, easing production bottlenecks and boosting exports.
Speaking at the launch, Tinubu hailed the project as a “trailblazing initiative” that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes industrialisation, innovation, and economic diversification.
“Leatherwork is a traditional craft that has stood the test of time. This facility will empower artisans, scale up leather goods production, and enable them to compete confidently in both local and international markets,” she said, urging entrepreneurs to pursue excellence and continuous learning.
Training, Jobs, and Economic Growth
Sanwo-Olu announced that the hub will provide training and start-up support for more than 150,000 artisans, stimulate local economic growth, and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
“Hides and skins that once left our shores unprocessed will now be transformed here in Lagos into world-class footwear, garments, and accessories proudly stamped ‘Made in Lagos, Made in Nigeria,’” the governor said.
He added that the state would expand the hub with new infrastructure and transparent regulation, stressing that “true dividends of democracy are best felt when they reach the cobbler in Mushin, the tanner in Oko-Oba, and the young fashion designer in Yaba.”
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, said the hub will lower production costs while raising quality standards, positioning Lagos-made leather products to compete in both local and export markets.
