Awakening the ‘sleeping giant’: Nigeria’s footwear industry
07/08/2013
“It is our belief that a major benefit of the fair will be that Nigerians will return to the days of buying made-in-Nigeria school shoes like Bata and Cortina. With increased production, Made-in-Nigeria shoes will also be exported. This will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on the oil and gas sector as the major earner of foreign exchange,” they said.
One of the major benefits from boosting the industry would be increased employment, they added, with opportunities in supplying boots and shoes to Nigeria’s state agencies including police, and medical footwear.
They anticipate the event could attract more than 100,000 visitors daily from within and outside the country.
“It is imperative to take advantage of the population of Nigeria and awaken the sleeping giant in the leather and footwear manufacturing industry,” they said.
The first Nigerian Leather, Footwear and Accessories Fair will take place between August 14 and 18 at the Blue Roof Lagos Television, Ikeja.
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