Vice-President Kashim Shettima says African nations must take their rightful place in controlling the continent’s resources and global trade.

Shettima spoke on Friday in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, during a tour and assessment of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ).

He said Africa must maximise its vast natural endowments by developing industries capable of processing raw materials into higher-value products.

The vice-president said Nigeria’s renewed industrialisation drive would leave no region behind, with the Federal Government working alongside subnational governments.

He expressed satisfaction with Benin’s efforts to achieve mass production and export of locally sourced resources.

Shettima regretted that Africa benefits from only about one per cent of the global cotton industry, valued at 370 billion dollars.

He said reviving Nigeria’s textile value chain could create millions of jobs, boost non-oil exports and stimulate economic activities nationwide.

The vice-president expressed his satisfaction after inspecting cotton, textile, cashew and soya bean oil production facilities at the industrial zone.

“We are here essentially at the behest of President Tinubu, in the spirit of his Renewed Hope Agenda, to see and peer-review global best practices,” he said.

Shettima said the visit would help Nigeria learn from Benin’s experience in creating integrated value chains for cotton, cashew and soya bean.

“We are setting up eight agro-industrial zones in eight states in our country,” he said.

He added that the GDIZ represented “an African success story where there is a whole chain of value addition in cotton, cashew and soya bean value chains.

“Be rest assured that we have learnt a lot of lessons through this visit, and we are going to replicate a lot of that in Nigeria.”

He said the Federal Government remained focused on making Nigeria one of the world’s industrialised nations under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The vice president was briefed on GDIZ’s structure, production capacity and investment potential by Benin’s Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade.

The delegation inspected integrated textile and agro-processing facilities, where locally produced cotton is transformed into yarn, fabric and finished garments.

It also toured facilities processing cashew and other agricultural commodities for domestic consumption and export.

The visit formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to draw practical lessons from Benin’s success in linking agriculture with manufacturing.

It also focused on attracting private investment and transforming raw materials into higher-value finished products.

Shettima was accompanied by the governors of Kwara, Imo, Katsina, Plateau, Zamfara and Jigawa States.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Team Nigeria’s dominance in para powerlifting at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continued in spectacular fashion on Friday night as Riluwan Idris powered his way to a magnificent gold medal in the Men’s Heavyweight event, extending Nigeria’s remarkable run at the SEC Armadillo.

Idris produced a commanding display throughout the competition, finishing with 132.8 points to clinch the Commonwealth title ahead of England’s Matthew Harding, who settled for silver with 131.0 points. Malaysia’s Nicodemus Manggoi Moses completed the podium with 120.3 points, while India’s Sudhir, the defending Commonwealth champion, finished fourth on 114.1 points.

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The Nigerian strongman kept his composure under pressure, delivering when it mattered most to hand Team Nigeria yet another memorable victory in what has become an extraordinary opening day of competition.

Sports247, reporting from Glasgow, witnessed jubilant celebrations inside the SEC Armadillo as Nigerian coaches, teammates and supporters erupted after Idris was confirmed as the new Commonwealth champion. The victory further underlined Nigeria’s reputation as the undisputed powerhouse of Commonwealth para powerlifting—a status the nation has built over the years with consistent medal-winning performances.

Idris’ triumph came just hours after Folashade Oluwafemiayo shattered the world record to win the Women’s Heavyweight title, with Rita Ferdinand claiming silver. Earlier in the day, Esther Nworgu won gold with a Commonwealth Games record in the Women’s Lightweight event, Esther Oyema added silver, while Roland Ezuruike also secured silver in the Men’s Lightweight competition.

The latest success means Team Nigeria has now collected an astonishing six medals from para powerlifting alone on the opening day, once again proving why the country remains the benchmark in the sport at the Commonwealth Games.

Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting – Final Standings

🥇 Riluwan Idris (Nigeria) – 132.8 points

🥈 Matthew Harding (England) – 131.0 points

🥉 Nicodemus Manggoi Moses (Malaysia) – 120.3 points

4️⃣ Sudhir (India) – 114.1 points

5️⃣ Tahiru Haruna (Ghana) – 112.0 points

DNF Bryan Junency Gustin (Malaysia)

Team Nigeria medal table – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Medal Total

🥇 Gold 3
🥈 Silver 3
🥉 Bronze 0
Total 6

Nigeria’s medal winners

🥇 Riluwan Idris – Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (132.8 points)

🥇 Folashade Oluwafemiayo – Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (World Record)

🥈 Rita Ferdinand – Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (World Record)

🥇 Esther Nworgu – Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting (Commonwealth Games Record)

🥈 Esther Oyema – Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting

🥈 Roland Ezuruike – Men’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting

Sports247 Medal Watch

🥇 Gold: 3

🥈 Silver: 3

🥉 Bronze: 0

Overall: 6 medals

With three gold medals already secured and several medal events still to come, Team Nigeria has made an emphatic statement on the opening day in Glasgow, taking significant strides toward the National Sports Commission’s target of 16 to 20 gold medals. Sports247 will continue to bring readers breaking news, exclusive interviews and live reports as Nigeria’s pursuit of Commonwealth glory gathers momentum.