By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Bottle of Limca and people praying |
The sprawling complex at Ibereko in Badagry, which for decades hummed with the machinery of the Femstar Nigeria Bottling Company, producer of popular soft drinks like Limca, Goldspot, and Parle Soda, now stands silent. But its silence is not one of abandonment; it has been broken by a new sound: the sound of hymns and prayers. The recent conversion of this former industrial hub into a church has become a potent symbol of a deeper economic malaise gripping parts of Lagos, raising critical questions about the state's industrial priorities.
Socio-economic analyst Okulaja Olawale Kehinde, in a widely circulated Facebook commentary, described the development as representing "a deeper economic and social decline." He noted that the factory was once "the pride of Badagry," providing direct employment to thousands and indirectly supporting a vast network of suppliers, transporters, and local traders. "When a production company folds up and its factory is converted into a church, the consequences extend beyond job losses," Olawale stated. "It marks the death of industrial productivity and the birth of economic dependency in that community."
The situation in Badagry is not an isolated incident. A cursory look across Lagos reveals a pattern of de-industrialization. In the **Ikeja industrial area**, once the heartbeat of Nigerian manufacturing, several factories have scaled down operations or closed entirely, with some properties being repurposed for commercial retail or offices. Similarly, in Amuwo Odofin, known for its manufacturing and logistics hubs, some industrial plots have given way to residential estates and mega-churches. The conversion of the Femstar plant is, however, one of the most stark examples, moving directly from a production line to a place of worship without an intermediate commercial use.
Analyst Okulaja Olawale Kehinde draws a sharp distinction between the economic roles of factories and churches. He argues that while churches provide essential spiritual guidance, they "do not replace the economic productivity that factories generate." He elaborated, "Instead of producing goods and services, they depend on the offerings and tithes of members—funds that are often not reinvested into manufacturing or employment generation." This, he warns, creates a cycle where a community's economic base shrinks, making it more reliant on external sustenance.
The analyst places significant blame on weak government policy. He highlighted a lack of intervention when factories face distress and contrasted Africa’s approach with that of developed economies. "In developed nations such as the United States, Germany, Japan, or South Korea, it is almost unthinkable for an industrial plant to be converted into a religious center," Olawale said. He urged African governments to enact robust industrial protection laws, strengthen public-private partnerships, and establish recovery funds for distressed manufacturing firms to prevent the continued loss of productive assets.
The conversion has also stirred strong reactions from the public, capturing the frustration of many Nigerians. A social media user, Morris Popularly known as Popsy Jadon, captured the irony succinctly: 'In Africa, a whole Factory will be converted to a worship center and people will gather there every Badagry market day to ask God for A Job....! I no too holy ooooo....But We no really serious for Africa, Nigeria in particular.' This sentiment reflects a growing concern that the nation is prioritizing faith over tangible economic production.
Okulaja Olawale Kehinde concluded with a stark warning and a clear message for policymakers. "Africa cannot develop by turning its factories into churches," he asserted. "Worship without work is a dangerous path to national poverty. Religion should uplift the human spirit, but industry sustains human life." He described the transformation of factories into religious centers not as a sign of progress, but as a "clear symptom of Africa’s economic misdirection." The fate of the Limca factory in Badagry serves as a critical case study and a wake-up call for Lagos State and Nigeria at large.