Trump’s tariff hike: It’s time for Nigeria to be self-sufficient -FG
By Ndukaku Ihe
As the trade war occasioned by the arbitrary tariff hike by the United States President, Donald Trump’s administration looms, the Federal Government has declared it was time for Nigeria to be self-sufficient in certain areas rather than rely on Europe and America for survival.
AbeyaNews reports that the Federal Government and development experts are brainstorming on how to fix moribund sectors, beginning with the cotton, textile and garment factories, for self sufficiency, and to halt President Donald Trump’s tariff hike.
Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, said the government would come up with a strong policy and institutional framework that would reflect today’s realities and possibilities.
Owan made the remarks when he declared open a conference tagged, ‘Revitalising Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment Industry’ in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the event was a powerful reminder that sustainable solutions were best shaped by those who live the challenges, those who drive the innovations and those who carry the vision.
He said: “As we seek to revive and reposition the sector, the ministry is fully committed to building a strong policy and institutional framework that reflects today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities.
“Your participation will support transparency, amplify stakeholder voices, and contribute to the development of this vital sector. But this cannot and should not be done in isolation.
“Our hope is that we are going to finalize the view of the policy document and through the finalization of the sector, and to ensure sustainable development in line with global best practices. That is one of the best things we think we will achieve.
“And the second is to build consensus and understanding where we play good luck towards achieving this. I mean, the fragmentation that exists, the hope is that we will be able to reconcile that. Just so that we can free up this sector.”
On his part, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Nura Rimi, said that the revitalisation and repositioning of the sector have immense potential for the nation’s economic growth, job creation, and overall industrial development.
Rimi said the industry added to the economy of the country, stating that it provides livelihoods for millions of families and contributes significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He called for strong collaboration with relevant stakeholders to unlock the immense potential and achieve the goals and objectives of the industry.
Representative of the Garment and Accessories Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (GAMAN), Adenike Ogunlesi, said that garment was the demand engine of the CTG value chain.
Ogunlesi said that the industry was the immediate channel for the creation of jobs, earning foreign exchange and giving national visibility on Made-in-Nigeria products.
Also, Director-General, Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association, Hamma Kwajaffa, said that the meeting would promote the industry’s potential and help to address challenges being faced by the industry.
Kwajaffa said that the association provides resources and training for textile and textile-related manufacturers, on manufacturing and human resources matters.
