The Lagos State Government has announced plans to activate the Imota Industrial Hub located in Ikorodu, with a phased approach to commence operations in sections of the facility. This decision follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, alongside Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

During the assessment, it was determined that the Imota Industrial Hub is equipped with necessary infrastructure, production spaces, and machinery that can support immediate operations. Ambrose-Medebem emphasized the importance of utilizing available facilities without waiting for the entire hub to be fully completed, describing it as a “low-hanging fruit.” She stated, “The strategic priority was to begin with facilities that are ready for use, while addressing outstanding infrastructure and operational requirements progressively.”

The government aims to transform the Imota facility from a mere collection of factory spaces into a fully integrated industrial center. This transformation is expected to foster collaboration among businesses in related sectors, enabling them to share resources such as machinery, logistics, and market access. The initiative primarily targets the agriculture and agro-processing sectors, focusing on areas such as food processing, rice production, packaging, and machinery maintenance.

In addition to operational activities, the plan includes a skills development component through a partnership with the ITF. Ogun highlighted the potential for the hub to serve as a venue for technical and vocational training, industrial apprenticeships, and hands-on learning experiences. This approach aims to create a pipeline of skilled workers and entrepreneurs ready to contribute to the industrial sector.

As the activation process begins, the government has acknowledged several operational challenges that need to be addressed. Key issues include power supply management, logistics for heavy-duty trucks, workers’ accommodation, security, and overall facility maintenance. The first phase of the activation will focus on taking an inventory of the hub’s available units and machinery, identifying priority industrial clusters, and establishing power requirements and facility management structures.

The subsequent phase will involve onboarding businesses into the hub, launching production activities, and initiating ITF-supported training programs. Further expansion will concentrate on upgrading infrastructure, attracting additional investments, and enlarging industrial clusters.

The Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment will collaborate with the hub’s management, the ITF, and other stakeholders to develop a detailed activation plan. Once fully operational, the Imota Industrial Hub is expected to bolster employment opportunities, support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enhance skills development, and strengthen local production while attracting investments to Ikorodu. The commissioner has urged officials to prioritize resolving immediate operational gaps and to commence phased operations without delay.