By Adeniyi Sakiru & Akande Samuel
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Ogun State Coordinating Office, joined key stakeholders in a cotton harvest field visit held under the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG–ITP) Phase I Pilot Project at HDI Farm, Oki Igbode, Imobi, Ogun State.
The field visit was led by the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh, and brought together a wide range of stakeholders across government, finance, academia, and industry. Representing the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. I. Ike-Muonso, the Ogun State Coordinator, Mr. Rabiu B. O., led the RMRDC delegation reflecting the Council’s continued commitment to promoting the development and effective use of local raw materials for industrial growth.
Among those in attendance were HDI Project Managerm Mr. Ololade Adeneye M; Special Adviser on Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) to the Minister, Eme Bassey; Chairperson of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAAN) Alhaja Lola Kushimo and Chief Adviser to the Minister Anoka Njan.
Also present was the Director-General of the Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association, Hammond Kwajafa, alongside representatives of the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture, as well as academic input from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The host community was represented by the Baale and members of his entourage, highlighting strong grassroots participation and local ownership.
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In his remarks, the Honourable Minister, Sen. John Owan Enoh commended the strong collaboration among stakeholders and described the initiative as a critical step toward revitalizing Nigeria’s cotton and textile sector. He emphasized its potential to boost agricultural productivity, create employment opportunities, strengthen local manufacturing, and reduce dependence on imported raw materials.
Observations from the field confirmed that the pilot phase is progressing steadily, with favourable agro-ecological conditions supporting cotton production and indicating strong potential for expansion.
During the engagement, the RMRDC State Coordinator reaffirmed the Council’s role in supporting the growth of Nigeria’s cotton value chain through research, capacity development, and strategic collaboration. He highlighted previous interventions carried out in partnership with the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTTAN), particularly the promotion of improved cotton varieties such as SAMCOT 11, which have demonstrated higher yield potential.
A technical briefing by the management of HDI Farm provided a clear picture of ongoing activities, including cultivated acreage, agronomic practices, and harvest progress. This was followed by a guided field inspection, where participants observed harvesting activities firsthand and assessed crop performance in the field.
Contributions from financial and research institutions emphasized the importance of sustained investment, innovation, and technical support required to scale the programme effectively.
The RMRDC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the next phase of the programme through targeted interventions aimed at improving raw material availability and strengthening industrial linkages.
The field visit represents an important milestone in the implementation of the NCTG–ITP and reinforces confidence in its capacity to drive sustainable growth across Nigeria’s cotton, textile, and garment value chain.
