Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia says Aba products contributed to the $96 billion Nigeria’s shoe business fetched in 2020.

“The shoe business all over the world in 2020 was worth $250 billion, and of this, Nigeria contributed $96 billion. I am seeking how we can get a greater chunk of this market share going forward,” added Mr Ikpeazu disclosed. “The penetration in the shoe industry today is about 2.5 per cent, and it is expected to climb to about 23 per cent by 2026.”

The Abia governor stated this on Thursday in Aba during Enyimba Automated Shoe Company (ENASCO)’s inauguration. The company is located at Umukalika, off Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba.

Mr Ikpeazu said with the inauguration of the outfit, the state was tying the loose ends of production and marketing of Aba products.

He further explained that the country could revitalise its economy and be self-sufficient in what it needs by promoting and patronising Nigerian-made products.

According to him, the company hopes to push out 5,000 pairs of shoes daily from the date of its inauguration.

He also revealed that in 2020 during the COVID-19 period, ENASCO received an order to supply shoes to the same American shoe company that gets supplies from China because it (China) could not supply them.

The governor further said Abia was encouraged to play in the footwear ecosystem because it could be a big player if the government were committed to it.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said ENASCO should get funding and patronage from government agencies.

“This project, in addition to providing employment in local communities and in Abia directly, will produce more employment opportunities indirectly for the leather industry in Kano and other places in Nigeria,” said Mr Lawan. “I believe that this project deserves every possible support from Federal Government agencies, the Bank of Industry and the Ministry of Industry.”

The senator added, “Indeed, the Central Bank of Nigeria must be looking in this direction so that you can expand. While we have 120 youths being employed here already, one year after, we should double and quadruple the number of youths being employed directly.”

“That will require providing more resources for more production lines, and I am sure that as one of you now, I belong to Abia myself. We are going to push for more support for this particular industry because it is a special one.”

(NAN)