The forgotten legacies of Wire and Cable, Owode Ibadan
Wire and Cable Owode Ibadan
Once a symbol of industrial progress in Nigeria, Wire and Cable, Owode Ibadan stood as a pride of the South-West manufacturing sector.
Established during an era when government and private investors sought to industrialize Nigeria, the company played a critical role in supplying electrical wires and cables for both domestic and industrial use.
A Beacon of Industrial Growth
At its peak, Wire and Cable, Ibadan was more than just a factory—it was a lifeline for thousands of workers and their families.
The company was a hub of economic activity in Oyo State, employing engineers, technicians, artisans, and factory hands, while also stimulating small businesses in Ibadan.
It was a place where young Nigerians acquired technical skills, gained stable employment, and built dreams.
The factory’s products powered homes, offices, and infrastructure projects in Nigeria, making it a household name in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Decline
Sadly, what was once a thriving symbol of self-reliance gradually slipped into decline. Years of poor management, lack of innovation, policy inconsistency, and the influx of cheap imported cables eroded its competitive edge. By the 2000s, production slowed down drastically, and the factory became a shadow of its former self.
The once-busy premises now stand as a reminder of what could have been—a neglected monument to Nigeria’s industrial history. For many in Owode, the silence of the machines is still felt deeply, representing lost opportunities and shattered economic prospects.
Lost Opportunities
The collapse of Wire and Cable did not only affect workers; it rippled through the local economy in Ibadan. Shops, transporters, food vendors, and artisans who depended on the company’s daily bustle saw their livelihoods shrink. For Ibadan city, with its rich industrial heritage, the decline of such a key enterprise is a painful chapter.
Remembering the Legacy
Today, Wire and Cable, Owode, is remembered by older generations with nostalgia—as a place of hope, discipline, and prosperity. Its forgotten legacy raises questions about Nigeria’s industrial revival and the preservation of homegrown enterprises.
Reviving such industries—or at least documenting their stories—remains crucial for inspiring future economic policies in Nigeria that prioritize local manufacturing over dependence on imports.
The story of Wire and Cable, Owode Ibadan is not just about a factory; it is about people, dreams, and the larger Nigerian struggle for industrialization. Its forgotten legacies call on policymakers, investors, and citizens to reflect on the need to rebuild, preserve, and sustain industries that once made Nigeria proud.
