Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central/PDP), has called on the Federal Government to replicate Ethiopia, Egypt and India’s strategy to drive greater diaspora influence in Nigeria’s economic growth.
Speaking at the official opening of the UNDP supported SMEDAN Makerspace and Solarised Garment -Making centre in Abuja, Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted Ethiopia’s success in building a thriving textile industry, with over 80 factories producing clothes for international companies.
Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan, while unveiling the facility, pointed out that all the cotton used by H&M is grown in Ethiopia, adding that the country produces clothing for world-renowned brands such as Levi, Wranglers, H&M, Calvin Klein, Gap, etc., in addition to numerous leather goods manufacturing companies that supply Italy.
Like India, Ghana, Egypt, and Pakistan, she attributed Ethiopia’s success to the support of its diaspora community in attracting investment and winning allies for their country.
She expressed her belief that Nigeria can replicate this model by working closely with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and international organisations such as UNDP that fosters collaboration between Nigeria and donor NGOs as well as diaspora networks worldwide.
“The goal should be to build a strong and responsive ecosystem that encourages skill and technology transfer, ultimately driving economic growth.
“As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, we had a meeting yesterday (Wednesday), and one of the key areas of focus we identified was harnessing diaspora funding, skills, and transfer of technology.
“This would enable us to follow the path of some African countries that have effectively leveraged their diaspora opportunities and support,” she said.
The SMEDAN Makerspace project, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to promote SMEs in Nigeria by providing a solar-powered garment-making center with 24-hour electricity.
Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised the importance of empowering SMEs, stating that it can sustain the grassroots economy, scale up, and positively impact the country’s economy, stressing that if all 40 million SMEs in Nigeria were empowered similarly, they could sustain their businesses, and boost the nation’s economy.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Akpoti-Uduaghan pledged her office’s support to ensure the project’s success and replicate it in all 36 states of Nigeria.
She also advocated for the establishment of a garment makers space in Kogi and other states where individuals in the garment-making industry can operate without the constant challenge of electricity failure.
In his remarks, the Director General of SMEDAN, Dr Charles Odii, explained that the garment and textile factory provides a space where tailors from different parts of the city can utilise high-quality equipment with 24-hour solar-powered electricity.
He emphasised that anyone with talent can access the facility to work, learn, and improve their productivity with the uninterrupted power supply.
The UNDP Country Representative, Elsie Attafuah, stated that the UNDP believes in the potential of Nigerian youths to drive economic transformation when given an enabling environment.
She added that the facility aims to address the persistent power challenges and enhance the productivity of SMEs in Nigeria.
She also revealed that plans are underway to replicate the center in all 36 states of Nigeria through a partnership with SMEDAN.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Senator Ede Dafinone; Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas; UNDP representatives, amongst others.
