Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has joined Vice President Kashim Shettima and five other governors on a strategic working visit to the Republic of Benin to advance Nigeria’s agro-industrial and textile development.
A statement signed by Ibrahim kaula Mohammad, chief press secretary to the Governor, said the Nigerian delegation, which also includes the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, arrived in Cotonou on Thursday.
They were received by Benin Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Corinne Amori Brunet, and the Minister of Tourism and External Trade, Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.
During the visit, the delegation will tour the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), one of West Africa’s leading integrated industrial hubs.
They will engage government officials, investors and private-sector operators to understudy best practices in agro-industrial development, investment mobilisation, agricultural value addition and export-oriented manufacturing.
The delegation will also inspect the GDIZ Textile Park, an integrated facility for cotton spinning, weaving, fabric processing and garment manufacturing.
Spread across about 1,640 hectares, the industrial zone has become a model for transforming agricultural commodities into high-value products for regional and international markets.
The visit comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to revive Nigeria’s textile industry and strengthen local manufacturing.
It also seeks to create stronger linkages among cotton farmers, ginneries, textile manufacturers, fashion businesses and export markets.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s textile, apparel and footwear industry was valued at approximately ₦8.15 trillion in 2024.
The sector also generated about ₦2.45 trillion in nominal output during the first quarter of 2025.
Governor Radda described the visit as a valuable opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen agricultural value addition through regional collaboration.
“This visit reflects our commitment to advancing agro-industrial development through value addition and strategic partnerships. The lessons from Benin will strengthen Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme and support sustainable industrial growth,” the Governor said.
He noted that Katsina, with over 1.6 million hectares under cultivation and as Nigeria’s largest cotton-producing state, is well positioned to benefit from improved processing capacity and stronger industrial linkages.
“Greater value addition to agriculture will create jobs, attract investment and support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Governor Radda concluded.
The delegation also includes the Governors of Kwara, Imo, Jigawa, Plateau and Zamfara States.