Shettima Urges Africa to Take Control of Its Resources as Nigeria Eyes Industrial Revolution Through Benin Model

Shettima Urges Africa to Take Control of Its Resources as Nigeria Eyes Industrial Revolution Through Benin Model

Shettima Calls for Africa to Control Its Resources as Nigeria Plans Industrial Transformation

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Africa must take control of its natural resources by investing in value-added industries. Nigeria plans to replicate Benin's successful agro-industrial model to create jobs, boost exports and strengthen manufacturing.

Shettima Urges Africa to Take Control of Its Resources as Nigeria Looks to Replicate Benin's Industrial Success

Africa's economic transformation depends on its ability to process its own natural resources rather than exporting raw materials, Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared.

Speaking during an official visit to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Shettima said the continent can no longer afford to remain a supplier of raw commodities while other regions reap the benefits of manufacturing and value addition.

The Vice President's remarks come at a time when many African governments are seeking new strategies to diversify their economies, reduce dependence on commodity exports and create sustainable employment for millions of young people.

According to Shettima, Nigeria is determined to learn from Benin's industrial achievements as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which places industrialisation, economic diversification and private-sector investment at the centre of national development.

The visit highlighted Nigeria's growing commitment to strengthening agriculture, manufacturing and export industries capable of competing in global markets.

Africa Must Move Beyond Exporting Raw Materials

For decades, many African countries have exported raw agricultural and mineral resources while importing finished goods at significantly higher prices.

This economic structure has limited industrial growth across the continent and reduced opportunities for local employment.

Speaking during the inspection tour, Shettima stressed that Africa possesses abundant natural wealth but captures only a tiny portion of the value generated from global industries because most processing takes place outside the continent.

He argued that African nations must build industries that transform raw materials into finished products, allowing them to retain greater economic value and improve living standards.

According to the Vice President, industrialisation is no longer optional but necessary if Africa hopes to become a major player in global trade.

Nigeria Seeks Practical Lessons from Benin

The visit to Benin was not merely ceremonial.

Shettima explained that President Tinubu specifically directed the delegation to study successful industrial models that could be adapted to Nigeria's economy.

He described the mission as an opportunity to examine global best practices in agro-processing, manufacturing and industrial development.

> "We are here essentially at the behest of President Tinubu, in the spirit of his Renewed Hope Agenda, to see and peer-review global best practices."

He noted that the knowledge gained during the visit would help shape policies aimed at accelerating Nigeria's industrial transformation.

Rather than reinventing existing solutions, Nigeria intends to adopt successful African models that have already demonstrated measurable results.

The Success Story of Benin's Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone

One of the highlights of the visit was the inspection of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), which has emerged as one of West Africa's fastest-growing manufacturing hubs.

Unlike traditional export systems that ship raw agricultural products overseas, GDIZ focuses on processing locally produced commodities into finished products before export.

Within the industrial park, cotton is converted into yarn, woven into fabrics and manufactured into finished garments.

The zone also processes cashew nuts, soya beans and other agricultural products for both domestic markets and international exports.

This integrated production system creates thousands of jobs while increasing export earnings and encouraging local investment.

For Nigeria, the model demonstrates how agriculture can become a powerful engine for industrial growth when linked directly to manufacturing.

Africa's Tiny Share of the Global Cotton Industry

Shettima highlighted one statistic that illustrates the continent's industrial challenge.

According to him, Africa receives only about one per cent of the global cotton industry's value despite producing significant quantities of cotton.

The worldwide cotton industry is estimated to be worth approximately 370 billion dollars, yet African economies capture only a small fraction of those revenues.

Most of the financial gains come from spinning, weaving, garment production, branding and international retail—all activities that largely occur outside Africa.

The Vice President argued that this imbalance must change if African countries hope to create wealth and reduce poverty.

By investing in textile manufacturing and garment production, African nations can retain much more of the value generated from their own resources.

Reviving Nigeria's Textile Industry

Nigeria once possessed one of Africa's largest textile industries, employing hundreds of thousands of workers.

Over the years, however, many factories closed due to inconsistent policies, inadequate infrastructure, rising production costs and increased imports.

Shettima believes the sector can once again become a major contributor to economic growth.

According to him, rebuilding Nigeria's textile value chain would:

Create millions of direct and indirect jobs.

Increase non-oil export earnings.

Reduce dependence on imported clothing and fabrics.

Support cotton farmers nationwide.

Encourage local entrepreneurship.

Strengthen Nigeria's manufacturing base.

Experts agree that a revitalised textile industry could significantly improve Nigeria's industrial capacity while supporting broader economic diversification.

Eight Agro-Industrial Zones Planned Across Nigeria

One of the major announcements during the visit was Nigeria's plan to establish eight agro-industrial zones across eight states.

These industrial clusters are expected to process agricultural products close to farming communities, reducing waste while increasing value addition.

The initiative is designed to attract private investors, improve rural development and strengthen agricultural supply chains.

Rather than exporting raw crops, Nigeria aims to produce finished goods that command higher prices in international markets.

According to Shettima, these projects will support President Tinubu's broader economic reforms by encouraging industrial production across every region of the country.

Working with State Governments

The Vice President emphasised that industrialisation cannot succeed through federal efforts alone.

He said the Federal Government is collaborating closely with governors and subnational administrations to ensure that economic development reaches every part of Nigeria.

Shettima noted that industrial growth should not be concentrated in only a few cities but expanded nationwide to maximise opportunities for farmers, manufacturers and young entrepreneurs.

The delegation accompanying him included the governors of:

Kwara State

Imo State

Katsina State

Plateau State

Zamfara State

Jigawa State

Their participation reflects growing state-level interest in agro-industrial development and manufacturing investment.

Linking Agriculture with Manufacturing

One of the strongest lessons from Benin's industrial strategy is the successful integration of agriculture and manufacturing.

Instead of treating farming and industry as separate sectors, GDIZ connects farmers directly with factories that process agricultural products into finished goods.

This integrated approach creates multiple economic benefits, including:

Higher incomes for farmers.

Increased employment.

Greater export revenues.

Improved food processing.

Enhanced industrial productivity.

Attraction of foreign investment.

Nigeria hopes to build similar value chains for cotton, cashew, rice, cocoa, sesame, soybeans and other strategic commodities.

Why Value Addition Matters

Economic experts often argue that countries become wealthier not because they produce raw materials but because they manufacture finished products.

For example, exporting raw cotton generates relatively limited income.

However, transforming that same cotton into yarn, fabric and branded clothing dramatically increases its market value.

The same principle applies to agricultural products such as cocoa, cashew nuts, palm oil and soybeans.

Processing creates new industries, generates employment and strengthens domestic economies.

This is the economic model Nigeria now hopes to expand.

Private Investment Will Play a Major Role

Government officials believe industrialisation cannot succeed without strong private-sector participation.

Industrial parks such as GDIZ attract investors by providing reliable infrastructure, streamlined regulations and efficient logistics.

Nigeria's proposed agro-industrial zones are expected to offer similar opportunities for local and international investors interested in manufacturing and export businesses.

Improved infrastructure, access to finance and favourable business policies will be essential for achieving these objectives.

The Renewed Hope Agenda and Industrial Growth

Industrialisation remains one of the key pillars of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

The administration aims to diversify the economy by expanding manufacturing, increasing exports, supporting agriculture and creating sustainable employment.

By learning from successful African examples such as Benin, Nigeria hopes to accelerate implementation while avoiding common development challenges.

Officials believe stronger manufacturing industries will reduce dependence on crude oil revenues and improve long-term economic resilience.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the optimism, Nigeria still faces several obstacles.

Among them are:

Poor electricity supply.

High transportation costs.

Limited industrial financing.

Inadequate infrastructure.

Global economic uncertainty.

Competition from imported products.

Addressing these issues will be essential if Nigeria hopes to replicate Benin's success on a much larger scale.

Experts argue that consistent policies, investor confidence and infrastructure development will determine whether these industrial ambitions succeed.

Vice President Kashim Shettima's visit to Benin's Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone underscores Nigeria's determination to reshape its economy through industrialisation, value addition and manufacturing-led growth.

His message was clear: Africa must stop exporting its wealth in raw form and begin transforming its natural resources into finished products that generate jobs, increase exports and improve living standards.

With plans to establish eight agro-industrial zones, revive the textile industry and strengthen agricultural value chains, Nigeria is positioning itself for a new era of economic transformation.

If these initiatives are successfully implemented, they could unlock enormous opportunities for businesses, investors, farmers and millions of Nigerians seeking employment.

The challenge now lies not in recognising the opportunity, but in executing policies that convert ambition into lasting economic progress.

(FAQs)

Why did Vice President Kashim Shettima visit Benin?

He visited the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone to study Benin's industrial development model and identify best practices Nigeria can adopt.

What is the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone?

It is an integrated industrial park in Benin that processes agricultural products such as cotton, cashew and soybeans into finished goods for export.

What did Shettima say about Africa's resources?

He urged African nations to process their own raw materials rather than exporting them unprocessed, allowing the continent to retain more economic value.

What are Nigeria's industrialisation plans?

Nigeria plans to establish eight agro-industrial zones, revive its textile industry and strengthen manufacturing under President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

Why is value addition important?

Processing raw materials into finished products creates jobs, boosts exports, increases government revenue and supports long-term economic development.

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