Vice President Kashim Shettima announced on Tuesday a strategic partnership with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).
The initiative aims to create over 1.4 million jobs annually and is a significant step towards the industrialization goals of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima outlined the comprehensive plan to revitalize the cotton sector.
The project focuses on developing key components of the cotton value chain, including farming, weaving, ginning, and linking cotton production to the broader textile industry.
“Today marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s cotton and textile industry,” Shettima said. “With the support of ICAC, we are committed to creating over 1.4 million jobs annually.
It is time to work more and talk less. We must harness every opportunity within the cotton value chain to transform our economy.”
The meeting featured a delegation from ICAC, led by its Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg expressed the committee’s commitment to aiding Nigeria in realizing its cotton industry potential.
He highlighted the transformative impact similar initiatives have had in other countries, such as China, India, and Pakistan, where the cotton industry has significantly contributed to economic growth and job creation.
“The potential of Nigeria’s cotton value chain is immense,” Trachtenberg said. “Our diverse backgrounds in ICAC give us a nuanced understanding of the complexities and opportunities within the sector. We are eager to support Nigeria in boosting productivity and facilitating investments.”
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State also attended the meeting, expressing strong support for the initiative. Sanwo-Olu emphasized Lagos’s critical role in the cotton value chain, given its robust industrial base and market infrastructure.
“Lagos is well-positioned to harness the opportunities in the cotton value chain,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “We are ready to support efforts to revamp the sector and maintain Lagos as the largest fashion hub on the continent.”
Governor Uzodinma echoed these sentiments, underscoring the Southeastern region’s readiness to participate in the initiative. “This meeting marks the beginning of our quest to revamp the textile industry and drive industrialization in Nigeria,” Uzodinma said. “The potential for job creation and economic transformation is significant.”
The plan to revitalize the cotton industry aligns with broader economic objectives, aiming to restore Nigeria’s membership in ICAC and position the country as a significant player in the global cotton market. Shettima assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to making conscious efforts to harness opportunities in the cotton value chain.
The event saw the presence of key industry stakeholders, including Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Tanimu Yakubu, Director General of the Budget Office; Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Director General of the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC); and Jummai Tutuwa, Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi.
The ICAC delegation included Usman Kanwar, Director of Textiles; Chief Scientist Keshav Kranthi; President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria, Anibe Achimugu; Vice President of the Cotton Ginners Association, Abdulkarim Kaita; and representatives from major textile and cotton producers across the country.
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