The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has thrown its weight behind the expansion of Yikodeen’s safety footwear production facility, ahead of its official unveiling in Isolo, Lagos on June 24, 2025.

Yikodeen, a Nigerian-owned footwear manufacturer, announced that the new facility will be the most technologically advanced safety footwear plant in West Africa, and is designed to support multiple production lines tailored for various industries, including oil and gas, construction, education, defense, and sports.

The company confirmed that the commissioning ceremony will mark the completion of extensive facility upgrades, installation of high-capacity equipment, and workforce training programmes. The event will host industry stakeholders, government officials, and media representatives.

NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, is expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour. According to Yikodeen, his participation reflects NCDMB’s strategic commitment to boosting local capacity in the oil and gas sector.

“This facility represents a new chapter of possibilities not just for Yikodeen, but for Nigerian manufacturing as a whole,” said Yikodeen’s Founder and CEO, Yinka Shamsideen. “What guests will see on June 24 is proof of what is possible when we bet on ourselves—world-class ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ products that compete globally while addressing local needs.”

He added that the new factory includes a full sole-manufacturing line, reducing reliance on imported components and enhancing quality control. The plant also houses a standard testing laboratory to ensure compliance with ISO and ASTM international standards.

Shamsideen said the production capacity has been expanded from 500 to 2,500 pairs of shoes daily, with the upgrade expected to create about 200 new jobs and bring the total staff strength to nearly 500. He said the company is prioritising youth and women in its recruitment process, aligned with its empowerment goals.

The facility also operates on alternative power sources, supporting sustainable manufacturing practices, and features an internal training centre to support continuous workforce development.

“This is a major leap not only for us but for the entire Nigerian manufacturing ecosystem,” Shamsideen said. “We now have the capacity and tools to produce safety footwear at scale, across sectors.”

Aruwa Capital Management, one of Yikodeen’s investment partners, also praised the development.

“This facility represents what’s possible when homegrown businesses receive the right investment and support,” said Managing Partner, Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes. “Yikodeen exemplifies how strategic capital combined with visionary leadership can transform industries and create a significant economic impact.”

The unveiling event will feature guided tours of the factory, including demonstrations across over 1,000 pieces of machinery used in the new manufacturing processes.