Hopes of reviving Nigeria’s once-thriving cotton and textile industry have taken a hit, as genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties introduced with great optimism have failed to deliver the promised results, and the sector continues to face years of systemic neglect and underinvestment.
Speaking at a recent forum, Professor Michael Uguru, Crop Science expert from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, urged the Federal Government to focus on boosting local cotton production to reduce dependence on costly imported raw materials. He criticized the overreliance on GM strains like MRC 7377BG11 and MRC 7361BG11, which were expected to deliver yields of up to 4.4 tonnes per hectare but have largely underperformed.
“More than five years down the line, the expected high yields have not been realised,” said Prof. Uguru. “Cotton growth remains suboptimal, and the attention given to GM seeds has sidelined critical investments in R&D, quality inputs, and extension services.”
Anibe Achimugu, President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), echoed similar concerns. While acknowledging the theoretical yield advantages of GM and hybrid seeds—2.0 to 3.5 tonnes per hectare compared to 1.0 tonne for traditional varieties—Achimugu highlighted worsening climate challenges, pest infestations, and insecurity as major obstacles. He warned that insecurity alone could restrict annual production to just 15,000 metric tonnes—barely enough to sustain one large textile mill.
“Farmers are battling both environmental and economic hardships, with harvests falling far short of expectations,” Achimugu noted. He called for stronger public and private sector investment, especially in farmer training, input supply chains, and cotton seed innovation.
Despite these setbacks, a glimmer of hope has emerged with the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of a Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board. The board aims to revitalise the sector, with representation from all six geopolitical zones, key federal ministries, and private industry players. It will operate under the Presidency and be funded by the Textile Import Levy collected by the Nigeria Customs Service.
At the 149th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and attended by state governors and top financial officials, the board’s formation was hailed as a strategic move under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic revival agenda.
“Nigeria is a country where cotton can thrive in 34 states, yet we only produce 13,000 metric tons,” Vice President Shettima said. “Meanwhile, we spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on textile imports. This is not just an economic failure—it’s a call to action.”
He emphasised that the newly formed board is more than a regulator—it is a vehicle for sectoral rebirth. “Our goal is not just regulation. It is revival. This is our opportunity to re-industrialise, to empower communities, and to restore pride in local production.”
Decades of decline in cotton output have led to the collapse of Nigeria’s textile manufacturing base. According to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, 145 textile factories shut down between 1980 and 2016. Today, Nigeria imports over 90% of its textile products, with annual import bills rising from ₦220.5 billion in 2019 to ₦377.1 billion in 2023.
As the government moves forward with the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board, stakeholders hope this marks a turning point in the long-delayed revitalisation of Nigeria’s cotton value chain—a crucial step toward reducing import dependence, generating jobs, and reclaiming the country’s historical position as a major player in the global textile industry.
