The Federal Government of Nigeria is collaborating with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) to revitalize the country’s cotton and textile sector, with a target of creating over 1.4 million jobs
annually. Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted the initiative’s focus on developing the entire cotton value chain, which includes farming, weaving, ginning, and linking cotton, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s industrialization goals.
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During a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima urged stakeholders to devise a roadmap for the sector’s revitalization, emphasizing the need for action over discussion. He assured that the administration is committed to maximizing opportunities within the cotton value chain and regaining Nigeria’s ICAC membership.
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State expressed support for the initiative. Sanwo-Olu noted Lagos’s strategic position in the cotton value chain, while Uzodinma emphasized the initiative’s potential for job creation and industrial recovery in the Southeastern region.
ICAC Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg praised the commitment shown by Nigerian leadership and stakeholders, citing the sector’s transformative potential seen in countries like China, India, and Pakistan. He pledged ICAC’s support through expert advice to boost productivity and investment in Nigeria’s cotton industry.
Other notable attendees included Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology; Tanimu Yakubu, Director General of the Budget Office; and representatives from various Nigerian textile and cotton organizations.
