The Nigerian government has announced plans to revive the textile industry to boost job creation and economic growth. Vice President Kashim Shettima made this announcement on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), led by its Executive Director, Eric Trachtenberg, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting included various industry players and state governors, focusing on developing strategies to rejuvenate Nigeria’s cotton and textile sectors. Vice President Shettima emphasized the importance of creating a roadmap to revive the cotton and textile industry.
“President Bola Tinubu’s administration will make conscious efforts to harness opportunities in the cotton value chain and ensure Nigeria regains its ICAC membership,” Shettima stated.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State expressed excitement about the initiative, noting that it could revamp the country’s economy and create jobs.
“We need to engage our young men and women and align with the new digital age for production and economic stimulation,” he said.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State highlighted the need for Nigerians to support locally-made cotton.
“Let’s produce what we use and use what we produce. This move will create job opportunities,” Sanwo-Olu remarked.
Eric Trachtenberg, Executive Director of ICAC, expressed enthusiasm about returning to Nigeria and leveraging its potential.
“Nigeria has low-cost labor, market access to AGOA, and the economic partnership agreements with the European Union, talented people, and forward-leaning government officials. ICAC is ready to help Nigeria achieve its goals, create quality jobs, generate foreign exchange, and reimagine the global cotton economy,” Trachtenberg said.
Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, acknowledged the challenge of smuggling in the textile industry and promised to address it.
“We commit to doing all we can to protect the industry,” Adeniyi assured.
Hamma Kwajaffa, Director-General of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, expressed optimism about the revival efforts.
“Cotton is an international crop, and we are happy that the revival of textile has begun. This will create employment, reduce protests, and address security issues in Nigeria,” Kwajaffa said.
Nigeria’s textile industry, once a major industrial hub in the 1970s and 1980s with about 180 textile mills. But in recent years, it has struggled due to smuggling, economic challenges, and unfavorable government policies.