An agribusiness expert, Mrs. Omowumi Helen Oduyemi, has called for urgent revitalisation of Nigeria’s cotton value chain, warning that the country risks missing out on significant economic opportunities if the sector is not properly restructured and supported.
Oduyemi, who has been involved in agriculture, processing and trade across different value chains, said cotton production in Nigeria can only thrive if attention is given to the entire ecosystem from cultivation to ginning, textile production and garment manufacturing.
According to her, the collapse of key linkages in the cotton industry, particularly processing infrastructure, contributed significantly to the decline in cotton farming across many parts of the country.
The Chief Trade Officer at Impact Hub Ibadan explained that many farmers abandoned cotton production after the breakdown of ginneries and weak market structures, which made it difficult to process and commercialise raw cotton locally.
“The value chain is broken, and when the ginning process is not available, farmers lose interest in planting cotton,” she said.
The expert stressed that Nigeria must move beyond raw production and focus on building a complete cotton-to-textile system that supports industrial growth and job creation.
She noted that Africa’s dependence on imported textiles and fabrics remains a major economic challenge, adding that strengthening local cotton production would reduce import dependence and boost industrial capacity.
The agribusiness specialist also highlighted the importance of technology in modern agriculture, stating that cotton farming requires precision tools such as drone mapping, satellite imaging and accurate land measurement to ensure efficiency and productivity.
She disclosed that earlier attempts at cotton farming exposed major structural gaps, including inaccurate land size assessments, poor yield projections and weak operational planning, which led to financial losses.
Despite the challenges, she maintained that cotton remains a viable crop for economic transformation in Nigeria if properly managed with data-driven approaches and institutional support.
Oduyemi urged government at all levels to collaborate with experienced farmers and agribusiness practitioners in designing and implementing cotton revitalisation programmes.
According to her, such interventions must be intentional, consistent and backed by policy support to achieve meaningful results.
She also called for stronger investment in textile and garment manufacturing to complete the value chain and create employment opportunities for young people.
“The cotton value chain must be treated as a strategic economic sector, not just an agricultural activity,” she added.
The expert expressed optimism that with the right policies, technology and investment, Nigeria can reposition its cotton industry as a major contributor to industrialisation and export growth.
