By Johnson Maduka
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to concentrate on macro-economic policies that would jumpstart the economy. What many do not know is that Nigeria’s economy was already comatose before Tinubu took over in May 2023. In fact, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, described it as a dead economy. Inheriting a dead economy makes it imperative for policies that have long-term benefits to be formulated. It also demands that everyone makes some sacrifice necessary for the emergence of a new Nigeria with a vibrant economy and all-inclusive growth and development. For Tinubu, it has been one step at a time in ensuring that the message of a renewed hope does not just end as a manifesto but a beautiful reality dotting the landscape of Nigeria.
A new era is afoot in Nigeria’s economy as Tinubu moves to restore the cotton, textile and garment industries. This is one sector that used to be the pride of Nigeria. It was one of the highest employers of labour. It was also a sector that produced many millionaires and technocrats in Nigeria. The likes of a former fiery labour leader who is a senator today, Adams Oshiomhole, was a product of the Nigerian textile industry. How come this strategic industry was left to go comatose by successive administrations? If we must grow what we consume to reduce the voracious demand for foreign currency, is the Nigerian textile industry not a pathway for reducing Nigeria’s import dependency?
It is reassuring that the Nigerian government is partnering the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) on a transformative initiative towards reviving the nation’s textile industry. This initiative is aimed at addressing historical challenges in the entire textile value chain in Nigeria. In this regard, attention will paid to the cultivation of cotton and its processing. This aligns broadly with the industrialization goals of the Tinubu administration.
Some of the historical challenges plaguing the cotton industry is the over-dependence on polyester alternatives, which overshadows the use of high-grade cotton. These polyester alternatives are mainly imported from China and other Asian countries and do not last. They do are unable to withstand pressures as they wash off or wear off no sooner than they are purchased and used.
Apart from the over-reliance on polyester alternatives, the new initiative aims at enhancing domestic cotton production. The planting of the raw material is a major challenge which must be combatted. Farmers in the nation’s cotton corridors would be greatly empowered with high-yield cotton varieties. They would also be encouraged to deploy cutting-edge technologies for a bountiful yield. Katsina and so many other states in the North West used to have thriving cotton settlements. Zamfara used to have a robust textile industry which employed thousands of Nigerians. The dearth of these industries which effortlessly used to engage the youths is a case study in tracing the origin of insecurity in Northwest Nigeria.
The new initiative in the revitalization of the cotton industry will also address the spate of smuggling experienced in the sector. When the market is flooded with low-quality textile, it comes with adverse effects on the local textile value chain development. The noose will be tightened on smugglers of textile materials because they pose a great danger to the development of the textile industry in particular and the economy in general.
There is also an ambitious goal of increasing the number of operational textile mills in Nigeria in geometric proportion. This is a veritable way through which the country can reclaim its position in the global cotton market. It is also a pathway to achieving long-term economic prosperity in a nation where cheap political points are scored with short-term economic policies.
As it stands, the new initiative driven by the Tinubu administration on the revamp of the textile industry aims at cultivating 500,000 hectares of cotton. This will in the interim create over 1.4 million jobs. There is an expected revenue generation of over 8.1 billion USD on annual basis from the project, arising from the entire value chain stages at the industry. These stages include cotton cultivation, ginning, spinning, textile manufacturing and garment production.
Ultimately, the new initiative will create a lot of jobs for the citizenry. It presents a crucial economic step at harnessing the potentials of the country. It also presents a turning point in the economic trajectory of the country. It is unique that the Tinubu administration is genuinely looking into potentials lurking in our economic space which are often overlooked. It is imperative that a nation maximize areas of comparative advantage in their developmental trajectory. The cotton industry is a huge market that is begging for a holistic rejuvenation.
There is a nexus between job creation and development. Presenting a paper in 2015 at the 1st International Conference on Language, Literature and National Development held at Kaduna State University, Stephen Joseph of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, highlighted three dimensions of development. First, he stated that development is concerned with the improvement of people’s living standards and their incomes. Second, he averred that development creates conditions necessary for the growth of a people’s self-esteem. In other words, development promotes human dignity. Third, Stephen viewed development offers citizens the freedom to choose a range of variables peculiar to their needs.
It is safe to postulate that job creation is at the core of development in any clime. Development that does not have humanity as its focus or centerpiece is not sustainable. The new initiative aimed at reviving textile industry in Nigeria is praise-worthy. Since development promotes the dignity of humanity, the new textile industry as envisioned would truly bring development to the people. Fundamentally, it will enhance security because people engaged in one form of negative resistance or the other would be usefully engaged and Nigeria will be a better place for everyone. It is important that the Tinubu administration replicate the textile industry revolution in other areas of need. Nigeria is truly endowed with agricultural potentials. There are arable lands for crop and livestock production. There are other cash crops that need a holistic development from cultivation, processing to packaging.