Netizens urge FG to save 45-year-old Austrian lace factory

By Adebola Muili

Nigerians on social media have urged the Federal Government to support and sustain the Austrian Lace factory in Agege, Lagos, following a visit to the facility by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole.

The calls came after Oduwole shared her experience at the historic factory on X on Friday, describing it as the last of its kind in Nigeria and noting that it had been producing indigenous cotton lace for more than 45 years.

The minister said she was impressed by the quality, discipline and decades of expertise she witnessed at the facility, urging Nigerians to patronise indigenous enterprises and support Made-in-Nigeria textiles.

Reacting to her post, an X user, Ola, expressed surprise at the existence of the factory, saying many Nigerians might not be aware that such a facility had survived for decades.

“Wow, Nigeria is a great nation, I never imagined we have this kind of industry in Nigeria. Govt please its in your hand to help keep this kind of business afloat,” Ola wrote.

The user also drew attention to the workers whose livelihoods depend on the factory, appealing to the minister: “See the old men and women that are dependent on the industry. Please Minister, let it not die.”

Similarly, Rasak ADEWALE Bakare called on the minister and members of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu re-election campaign team to patronise locally produced fabrics during the campaign period.

“Pls, madam minister, I beg you & everyone in the PBAT reelection campaign team, pls ensure all fabric materials that would be used in the campaign period are sourced from this place & every other factories that produced locally,” he said.

Bakare said patronage from government and political actors would help indigenous manufacturers remain in business.

Another X user, Uwa Eghobamien, said Oduwole’s post had changed her perception of locally produced lace fabrics.

“Thank u min. I wear only Nigerian but always thought lace was foreign and dont wear them. I will begin to look out for this, bcos am a manufacturer,” she wrote.

She also questioned whether the factory produced finished apparel from its fabrics, suggesting that such products could further promote the company.

For Ebitimi Onabanjo, the discovery raised questions about the visibility of indigenous textile manufacturers in Nigeria.

“Why are we just seeing this. Many thought all Lace fabrics is imported. Govt shuld encourage these businesses more,” Onabanjo wrote.

He urged the management of the factory to intensify its publicity efforts and engage major influencers to promote its products.

Onabanjo also observed that the company’s name was not clearly identified in the minister’s video, stressing the need for greater visibility for the business.

Oduwole, in her post, had commended the management and staff of the factory for their “exceptional discipline and decades-long dedication” to keeping the facility in operation.

She said: “Now more than ever, we must continue to champion our indigenous enterprises, patronize our own, and stand proudly behind Made in Nigeria textiles.”

The Austrian Lace factory is located on Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege, Lagos, and has been producing cotton lace for more than four decades.