Kwara Garment Factory Limited has signed a landmark management agreement with KWS Garment Production Village, empowering the private sector operator to manage and run the state's premier apparel manufacturing facility.

The signing ceremony, held at the Kwara Garment Factory in Ilorin, was conducted by the Managing Director of Kwara Garment Factory Limited, Bukola Adedeji, and witnessed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology, represented by the Commissioner, Mrs. Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun.

KWS Garment Production Village is led by Folake Akindele, founder and CEO of the internationally acclaimed Tiffany Amber and one of the most consequential figures in African fashion over the last three decades.

A key commitment in the agreement is that a minimum of 80 percent of the factory's production workforce will be women and indigenes of Kwara State, positioning both parties as champions of inclusive economic empowerment and local talent development.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Yusuf-Adelodun, described the handover as the realisation of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's long-standing industrialisation vision for the state.

"The Kwara State Garment Factory has always represented more than a building or a set of machines. It represents His Excellency's vision, a vision of an industrialised Kwara, where our youths do not just consume but produce, where the state's resources translate into real livelihoods and lasting economic activity," she said.

She added that the management model was carefully structured to protect the state's investment while allowing private sector excellence to thrive.

The Managing Director, Bukola Adedeji, who signed the agreement on behalf of Kwara Garment Factory Limited, described the occasion as a defining milestone in the life of the facility.

"This occasion marks yet another bold step in the commitment of the Kwara State Government under Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, towards industrialisation, economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development in our dear state," she said.

She highlighted the scale of investment made by the state in preparing the facility.

"Over the years, this administration has made substantial investments in establishing this high-capacity industrial facility, world-class machinery, modern production infrastructure, and critically, the training of hundreds of Kwara youths in garment production, machine operations, and technical skills. The foundation has been built. Today, we take the step that puts it to full use," she added.

On the significance of the 80 percent workforce commitment, she said: "The commitment to hiring 80 percent women and Kwarans is central to what this agreement means. It is not a condition; it is a conviction. The impact we are working towards is tangible: employment for trained Kwara women and youths, a boost to our internally generated revenue, and the development of a textile and garment ecosystem that can serve not just Kwara, but the wider region.

"Beyond the economic value, this agreement demonstrates genuine confidence in Kwara State as an emerging destination for investment, business growth, and industrial expansion. It is our expectation that this will not only strengthen the garment and textile value chain, but inspire more strategic investments into our state."

For Folake Akindele, the agreement represents the culmination of nearly three decades of experience addressing structural gaps in Nigeria's creative and industrial economy.

"After 28 years in the Nigerian fashion industry, moments like this remind me why I started this journey. What began with passion and resilience has evolved into something much bigger than fashion itself. Today is about industry, infrastructure, manufacturing, job creation, and legacy," Akindele said.

She emphasised the broader significance of the initiative.

"This factory represents the possibility. It represents scale. It represents structure. It is about building systems that allow Nigerian businesses, creative, institutional, and corporate alike, to produce competitively, efficiently, and proudly within Nigeria. If you have been going outside Africa to manufacture and access world-class quality, you can get that same standard right here," she said.

Akindele also affirmed KWS Garment Production Village's commitment to the workforce terms of the agreement.

The Kwara Garment Factory is fully equipped with industrial-grade machinery covering the entire production chain, from cutting, sewing, embroidery, and printing to finishing, quality control, and shipping.

The facility is designed to support large-scale apparel production across fashion, uniforms, sportswear, institutional, hospitality, and corporate sectors, and is powered by an on-site solar village, embedding sustainability at its operational core.

With infrastructure capable of supporting up to 4,000 workers across its production ecosystem, the factory stands as one of the most significant industrial garment manufacturing hubs on the continent.

Kwara State's deep-rooted history in textile weaving and cotton cultivation makes it a natural home for an initiative of this scale.