Nigeria Aims To Revive Textile Industry For Job Creation
The Nigerian government plans to rejuvenate the nation’s textile industry to spur job creation, according to Vice-President Kashim Shettima. Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), led by Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg, Shettima urged stakeholders to craft a strategic roadmap for the sector’s revival.
Held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the meeting included industry players and state governors who discussed strategies to restore Nigeria’s cotton and textile industry. Shettima emphasized the administration’s commitment to revitalizing the cotton value chain and restoring Nigeria’s ICAC membership.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, expressed optimism, highlighting the potential for the textile industry to boost Nigeria’s economy and provide employment for the youth. “We need to align with the digital age for economic stimulation,” Uzodinma stated.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, advocated for the use of locally produced cotton, urging Nigerians to support homegrown industries. “Let’s produce what we use, and use what we produce,” he said, emphasizing job creation.
Eric Trachtenberg of ICAC expressed enthusiasm about Nigeria’s potential, citing the country’s low-cost labor and access to international markets as key advantages. “Now is the time for Nigeria to reimagine its cotton and textiles economy,” Trachtenberg remarked.
Customs Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, pledged to address smuggling, which has long plagued the textile industry, vowing to protect local manufacturers.
Hamma Kwajaffa, Director-General of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, voiced optimism about the industry’s future, predicting increased employment and reduced social unrest. “We’re on the path to revival,” Kwajaffa concluded.
Once a thriving sector in the 1970s and 1980s, Nigeria’s textile industry declined in the 1990s due to smuggling, economic challenges, and unfavorable policies. The government’s renewed focus offers hope for a revival of this crucial industry.
