As part of activities marking Women’s Month, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, paid a visit to the GATIMO garment production facility, the parent company of the renowned Nigerian children’s clothing brand Ruff ‘n’ Tumble.
The company was founded and is led by Mrs Nike Ogunlesi, whose work in building a strong local manufacturing brand has become a reference point for disciplined production and long term enterprise development in Nigeria.
During the visit, the Minister toured the production floor and interacted with staff, observing first hand the systems and processes that have sustained the brand for more than two decades. What he encountered, he noted, was far more than a successful fashion label. It was a functioning example of structured Nigerian manufacturing.
According to the Minister, GATIMO represents the core elements required for industrial growth. These include value addition within the country, workforce training, quality control systems, and the steady development of a trusted brand rooted in local production.
Reflecting on the visit, Senator Enoh noted that leadership must remain connected to the factory floor, where policies translate into real jobs, skills, and economic value.
“In what has been a personally reflective period for me, I was intentional about spending time where real production is taking place. The factory floor is where policy meets people. It is where the true impact of industrial policy can be measured,” he stated.
He also commended Mrs. Ogunlesi for her role in building an enterprise that has created employment, transferred technical skills, and maintained high production standards within Nigeria’s manufacturing space.
The Minister emphasized that women entrepreneurs like Mrs. Ogunlesi are already making significant contributions to the industrial economy.
“Women like Mrs. Ogunlesi are not waiting for empowerment. They are already building businesses, employing Nigerians, and demonstrating that local manufacturing can compete on quality, branding, and sustainability,” he said.
Senator Enoh further explained that enterprises such as GATIMO and Ruff ‘n’ Tumble represent the type of industrial model Nigeria must scale as the country deepens its manufacturing capacity and strengthens its competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He added that the Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment through clear policy direction, access to financing, and institutional coordination that supports the growth of local industries.
The visit also reinforced the Minister’s guiding principle of “Give to Gain,” which he described as an economic approach that encourages deliberate government support for productive enterprises.
“When government provides policy clarity, structured financing pathways, and institutional alignment, the country gains stronger factories, better jobs, deeper value chains, and greater export readiness,” he noted.
The Minister concluded that Nigeria’s industrial future is already taking shape through enterprises that remain committed to local production and quality standards.
His visit to GATIMO, he said, serves as a reminder that Nigerian industry is capable of building premium, competitive, and enduring brands, with women playing a central role in that transformation.
