FG Moves To Resuscitate Cotton/Textile Industry

 

In a bid to resuscitate the moribund cotton/textile industry in the country, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) met to kickstart the move to revive the industry.

The meeting which was convened at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, aimed to discuss the ambitious “African Cotton Sustainability Programme 2030”, with  a set  target to create over 1.4 million jobs annually in the cotton/textile sector, while the focus is to develop key components of the cotton value chain comprising farming, weaving, ginning and linking of cotton, all in line with the industrialization drive of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

In a statement issued by the Vice President’s Media Aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the meeting which had ICAC’s Executive Director, Eric Trachtenberg, Shettima called on all stakeholders to come up with a roadmap for the revitalization of the cotton/textile sector in Nigeria, noting that “it is time to work more and talk less”.

Shettima assured that the Tinubu administration will make conscious efforts to ensure the country harnesses opportunities in the cotton value chain, including ensuring that Nigeria regains its ICAC membership.

The VP acknowledged ICAC’s commitment to the development of the sector in Africa, adding that “your diverse backgrounds in ICAC gives a nuance understanding of the complexities and opportunities in the cotton value chain.”

Earlier in his remarks, Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said his state was well positioned to harness opportunities in the cotton value chain, given that it hosts the factories, the market and is a critical component of the business ecosystem for the cotton sub-sector.

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos, as an integral part of the cotton value chain in Nigeria, will support every effort by stakeholders to revamp the sector to enable the state sustain its status as the largest fashion hub in the continent.

The Governor expressed his pleasure at the possibility and opportunity for the resuscitation of the cotton and textile sector with a particular focus on job creation and economic transformation.

The governor pledged the state’s readiness to off take cotton produced in other parts of the country for companies based within the area.

The governor also informed the journalists after the meeting, on concerns about local patronage of Nigerian textiles versus imported fabrics and advocated for a focus on the entire value chain to stimulate local production.

He highlighted that many Nigerian garment manufacturers use polyester instead of cotton, due to its lower cost, and harped on the potential for Nigeria to produce high-grade cotton and reduce reliance on imports.

He emphasized on the importance of examining the entire value chain and promoting local production and consumption, citing statistics that showed that the cotton industry once employed 15-18 million Nigerians, and expressed confidence that reviving the industry could create millions of jobs in the next few years.

He lauded the support of the ICAC, which he described as the “United Nations equivalent of the cotton industry”, and commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for his commitment to the industry’s revival.

On his part, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma said the meeting with the delegation from the ICAC is the beginning of Nigeria’s quest to revamp the textile industry as part of the broad objective for industrializing the economy.

Uzodinma said Imo State and the Southeastern region will key into the renewed effort to revamp the cotton/textile sector with the bid to create jobs for the people and for the overall industrialization drive of the country.

“The opportunity created by the meeting is a new beginning in our quest for industrial recovery and creation of jobs for our teeming youths as well as an opportunity for a new partnership,” Uzodinma said.

Uzodinma, while speaking to journalists about the potential of the cotton industry to revamp Nigeria’s economy, emphasized on the opportunity for Nigeria to leverage international partnerships, expertise, and innovations to revamp its moribund cotton and textile industries.

Uzodinma hinted on the potential for job creation, employment, and engagement of young people, noting “this is a new opportunity that will create jobs, employment, and engage our young men and women roaming the streets”.

He recollected the past glory of Nigeria’s textile industry, citing the numerous textile industries in Lagos’ Isolo area and Kaduna’s reputation as a center for cotton production and textile mills.

Uzodinma also heaped on the need to stimulate the economy, create jobs, redefine Nigeria, and align with the new digital age for production and economic stimulation.

In his remarks, Trechtenberg said he was pleased with the level of interest and commitment shown by the leadership of the country and other stakeholders in reviving the industry in Nigeria.

Trechtenberg cited the examples in China, India, Pakistan and other parts of the world, stressing that the potentials in the cotton value chain was huge and has proven to be transformative.

The ICAC Executive Director highlighted that cotton and textile offer competitive advantage, economic transformation and is a very competitive product that can be sold, both domestically and internationally, with probability to generate high quality jobs for now and in the future.

According to him, ICAC would support Nigeria’s cotton value chain revamp by offering expert advice in improving productivity and boosting the value chain and investment facilitation.

Trachtenberg informed the newsmen about Nigeria’s unique advantages, including low-cost labour, market access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Economic Partnership Agreements with the EU, and a talented workforce, calling for collaboration to reimagine the cotton economy.

He also pledged that ICAC is committed to supporting Nigeria in achieving its goals, creating quality jobs, generating foreign exchange, and re-imagining the global cotton economy.

He stressed on the potential for Nigeria to become a major player in the global cotton industry, given its favorable conditions and forward-leaning government officials.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, also pledged to tackle smuggling and support the revival of the textile industry in Nigeria.

Adeniyi lamented that smuggling has hindered the industry’s development, but pointed out that other challenges like yield, power, and investments also need to be addressed.

The CGS of Customs revealed that the Customs Service has been given a “marching order” to play its role in reviving the industry, focusing on policy formulation and implementation.

Adeniyi identified policy as a major factor that “killed” the textile industry, but expressed commitment to revisiting and reforming policies to support the industry’s recovery.

He affirmed that the Customs Service will do everything possible to protect the industry, add pledged its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery through the textile sector.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, Hamma Kwajaffa, expressed optimism about the revival of the textile industry, predicting a surge in employment and a reduction in security problems.

Kwajaffa said the association is happy to see the revival of the textile industry, which will lead to increased employment opportunities and a decrease in protests.

He highlighted that the focus is not on funding, but on ensuring a conducive environment for cotton production and harped on the need for scientific expertise to achieve high yields.

Kwajaffa bemoaned that many textile mills have closed due to lack of raw materials and smuggling, but expressed his assurance that the industry will bounce back, with about 70 textile mills expected to reopen, up from the current 24.

DG Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association predicted a return to the “booming days” of the textile industry, which once had 200 mills operating in the country.

Those in attendance at the meeting include the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; the Director General, Budget Office, Dr Tanimu Yakubu; Director General, Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, and Director General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Dr Jummai Tutuwa.

Other members of the ICAC delegation included the Director of Textiles, Mr Usman Kanwar; Chief Scientist, Dr Keshav Kranthi; President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria, Anibe Achimugu; Vice President, Cotton Ginners Association, Abdulkarim Lawal Kaita, and representatives of major textile and cotton producers in the country, among others.