First Lady, Deputy Governor Hamzat Attend Launch of Lagos Industrial Leather Hub in Mushin

Lagos State is taking a decisive step toward industrializing its creative economy with the launch of a new Industrial Leather Hub in Mushin’s Matori area. The opening ceremony was graced by the First Lady of Lagos State, alongside Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to empowering local artisans and boosting the manufacturing sector.

The Leather Hub, announced in the second quarter of 2025, is envisioned as a comprehensive ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs in the leather sector, from skills training to factory-level production. Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the launch, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, emphasized that the hub is more than just infrastructure, it is a catalyst for transformation.

Located in the industrial heartbeat of Mushin, the hub is part of a broader vision to deepen local value chains. It will offer artisans access to production tools, capacity-building, and mentorship, alongside enhanced business infrastructure. Ajigbotafe highlighted the role of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) in providing both skill development and startup capital to emerging entrepreneurs, with plans to expand beneficiary numbers in the coming year.

The launch aligns with Lagos State’s long-held ambition to retain value, creating finished leather products within the state rather than exporting raw materials and importing costly imports. Previously, Governor Sanwo-Olu had acknowledged that, as of 2022, the Leather Hub’s construction was approximately 65% complete and had facilities planned to include dozens of lock-up shops for finished leather goods.

At its heart, the hub stands as a promise of industrial renaissance, one anchored on job creation, small business support, and manufacturing resilience. Deputy Governor Hamzat echoed this vision at the event, urging stakeholders to embrace innovation and ensure the hub delivers tangible outcomes across Lagos’s creative economy.

The leather sector’s growth is expected to have cascading benefits: empowering artisans and SMEs, strengthening community livelihoods, and reaffirming Lagos as a leading industrial state. With the support of strategic policy and institutional backing, the Industrial Leather Hub is poised to become a linchpin for local economic growth and empowerment.