Five Nigerian states are eyeing $121.3 million in revenue by 2029 from an ICT-enabled trade initiative called the LAKKE Project. The states are collaborating to drive trade, innovation, and economic impact.
These states, Lagos, Abia, Kano, Katsina and Enugu, are coming together to launch the interregional trade and investment initiative. This partnership was launched at the Subnational Roundtable during Omniverse 2.0 in Lagos, where representatives from Lagos, Abia, Kano, Katsina, and Enugu (LAKKE) met to speak on their strengths and revolutionise Nigeria’s leather industry as well as create a structured value chain.
Beyond just trade, the states highlighted the role of technology in driving economic growth. They agreed to harmonise ICT, trade, and investment policies to remove bureaucratic barriers and facilitate seamless business operations.
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Hannatu Musawa, minister for Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, described the partnership as a step towards positioning Nigeria as a global leather powerhouse.
“This is a beautiful marriage,” she said. “Everything we need as a nation is within us. It is up to us to figure out how to partner and work together as one. This initiative embodies the President’s Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, industrial expansion, and job creation.”
The states noted that each member would play to its strength. Kano and Katsina, known for their expertise in raw material sourcing and leather tanning, will supply the backbone of the industry.
Abia, a hub for leather finishing and manufacturing, will enhance value addition, while Lagos will leverage its financial and commercial influence to attract investment. Enugu, an emerging creative hub, will drive product design and innovation.
According to them, regular peer-review sessions will be established to ensure continuous collaboration and prevent any state from being left behind.
Abia State, for example, has already entered into a partnership with ipNX for support with its vision to provide an interconnected and digitally empowered economy for all its citizens.
“The future of Nigeria is about collaboration, not competition,” Musawa added. “When we unite our strengths, we become a formidable force in global trade.”
The Omniverse 2.0 platform provided a global stage for these discussions, connecting subnational leaders with investors, policymakers, and technology pioneers. The event also highlighted the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in accelerating industrial growth. David Kalu, Abia’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, said, “Abia produces 50 million pairs of shoes per annum, and we want to source our leather from Kano.”
In response, Yusuf Mata, Kano State’s Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, noted that Kano and Katsina’s leather-making tradition dates back over 2,000 years. “Kano’s leather powers the Italian fashion industry. It is time we focus on developing our local markets,” he added.
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Musawa, Minister of Arts, emphasised the long-term vision of the partnership, highlighting the importance of sustainability.
“This is not just about short-term gains. We are looking at domestic tourism, creative industries, and culture-driven economic expansion.”
She further announced the federal government’s Renaissance Project, which will establish creative and cultural villages in every state. “Abia is our first stop,” she revealed. “We are committed to ensuring that every state extracts the maximum value from this partnership.”
“This is just the beginning,” Musawa concluded. “We are building a Nigeria where innovation, collaboration, and strong leadership drive economic transformation.”
