Enibikun Adebayo, chairman of the Textile Professionals and Dry Cleaners Association, predicts that Nigeria’s cleaning and hygiene industry will exceed $3 billion in the next 10 years.
Adebayo made this prediction on Wednesday during a masterclass for dry cleaners organized by the Clean Ace Foundation and Academy in partnership with LG.
He said the industry is currently valued at about N1.8 billion and called on Nigeria’s economic managers to provide adequate funding to support its growth.
He said, “The size of the laundry industry will be valued at about 1.8 billion naira in 2024 and is expected to grow to about 3 billion naira in the next 10 years.”
“The industry is evolving and we recently established the Fabriccare Professionals and Dry Cleaners Association and launched the first and largest laundry exhibition in Nigeria and possibly Africa.
“This initiative has changed people’s perception of the industry and many people are now considering a career in fabric care.
“The way the industry is marketed is influencing younger generations, so we strive to promote a professional approach to the industry and generate genuine interest.”
Mr. Adebayo emphasized that the cleaning industry is one of the largest employers in the country.
“We are calling on the government to support potential and aspiring cleaners with funding from the Industrial Bank. There is a possibility of support.
“We are seeking government support to demonstrate that this industry can create significant jobs. To this end, we are partnering with LG to drive dialogue and attract more investment. We decided to involve more people in this lucrative field.
“We need funding and we are encouraging universities to help us offer vocational courses in laundry and dry cleaning so more people can become self-employed.”
He added: “Government needs to create an environment that encourages young people to explore opportunities in this industry.”
Samuel Odenusi, Director of Commercial Laundry Business at LG Electronics West Africa, also said that LG’s partnership with Clean Ace Academy will equip masterclass participants with the skills and tools they need to run a successful business. He explained that it was intended to be attached.
He said: “This is where LG can play a role. The value of this industry is huge and is growing every year due to the increasing demand for laundry services.
“As the urban population expands, the value of industry continues to rise,” he added.
Mr Odenusi called on the government to provide a better environment, noting that reducing business operating costs would also lead to lower costs for consumers.
“We also need the necessary infrastructure to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria, which will create significant wealth and employment opportunities.”
