In a bid to rejuvenate Nigeria’s cotton and textile industry and create over 1.4 million jobs annually, the federal government, in collaboration with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), has launched a comprehensive initiative.
This effort aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda, focusing on key aspects of the cotton value chain, including farming, weaving, ginning, and cotton linking.
During a meeting at the State House in Abuja with the ICAC delegation, led by Executive Director, Mr. Eric Trachtenberg, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged stakeholders to formulate a clear roadmap for revitalising the sector.
Vice President Shettima emphasised the importance of concrete action over discussions, stating, “It is time to work more and talk less.”
He assured that the Tinubu administration is dedicated to harnessing opportunities within the cotton value chain and reaffirmed Nigeria’s intention to regain its ICAC membership. He expressed gratitude to the ICAC delegation for their visit and acknowledged their commitment to Africa’s cotton sector development, highlighting their nuanced understanding of the industry’s complexities and opportunities.
Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, present at the meeting, emphasized Lagos’s strategic position within the cotton value chain, given its factories, markets, and crucial role in the business ecosystem.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu pledged Lagos’s support for efforts to revamp the sector, aiming to maintain the state’s status as the continent’s largest fashion hub. He expressed enthusiasm for the potential job creation and economic transformation that the cotton and textile sector revival could bring.
Imo State Governor, Mr. Hope Uzodinma, also voiced support, noting that the meeting marked the beginning of Nigeria’s quest to revive the textile industry as part of broader industrialisation objectives. He stated that Imo and the South eastern region are ready to contribute to this effort, aiming to create jobs and drive economic growth.
Mr. Eric Trachtenberg, ICAC Executive Director, expressed satisfaction with the level of interest and commitment shown by Nigeria’s leadership and stakeholders. He cited examples from China, India, and Pakistan, emphasizing the transformative potential of the cotton value chain. Trachtenberg highlighted the competitive advantage and economic transformation opportunities presented by cotton and textile products, both domestically and internationally.
ICAC pledged to support Nigeria’s cotton value chain by offering expert advice to improve productivity, boost the value chain, and facilitate investment. Trachtenberg underscored the industry’s capacity to generate high-quality jobs now and in the future.
The meeting included key government officials, such as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Director-General of the Budget Office, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu; Director- General of the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso; and Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Dr. Jummai Tutuwa.
The ICAC delegation also included the Director of Textiles, Mr. Usman Kanwar; Chief Scientist, Dr. Keshav Kranthi; President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria, Mr. Anibe Achimugu; Vice President of the Cotton Ginners Association, Mr. Abdulkarim Lawal Kaita; and representatives from major textile and cotton producers in Nigeria.
This initiative marks a significant step towards revamping Nigeria’s cotton and textile industry, with a focus on job creation and economic transformation.
