Over the years, the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria has utilized the annual education conference as a forum to strengthen trade union consciousness and capacity building of branch union leaders and organizing of the tailors and small scale garments makers across the country.

The National Education Conference and commemoration of the 2020 Africa Industrialisation Day (AID) in Abuja was well attended by dignities that include former General Secretaries of the Union, Comrades Adam Oshiomole, mni and Comrades Issa Aremu, mni, Minister of State Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Permanent Secretary FMITI, UNIDO, Manufacturers Associations of Nigeria, Nigeria Custom Service, SMEDAN, Captains of Industry, Nigeria Labour Congress, and Affiliates, Unions, Veterans, the Media among others.

The theme of the 32^nd National Education Conference was Labour and Industry in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic.

The former General Secretary of the Union, Two-Term President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and two-term Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, mni was the chairman of the panel discussion on the AID theme as well as a special Guest of Honour at the event.

The union entered into partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to commemorate the 2020 Africa Industrialisation Day (AID) with the theme “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization in the AFCFTA and COVID-19 Era jointly with 2020 Education Conference.

On the first day of the programme the discussion centered on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Agreement and Covid-19 pandemic, implications for sustainable industrial revival, job creation and national development.

During the AFCFTA panel discussion, the NUTGTWN President, Comrade John Adaji called on the Federal Government to ensure the implementation of AFCFTA does not undermine current effort at industrial revival particularly in relation to the Textile and Garment industry in Nigeria. He highlighted smuggling as one of the major problems of the Textile Industry insisting that “fair trade” within the AFCFTA and the current and future jobs in our Textile and Garment Industries will be further devastated if Africa Customs Authorities across the board do not properly manage their boarders to prevent a flood of illicit imports from abroad into Africa and the breaking and undermining of the rule of origin.

He urged African nations and Nigeria in particular to work together to attract investment, grow local manufacturing and combat smuggling. The second day of the programme also marks the International Day of Elimination of Violence and Harrasment in the world of work. The union also used the used the occasion to be part of the 16 days of Global action against Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) by organizing a campaign. The campaign session was coordinated by NLC Head of Women and Youth Department, Comrade Rita Goyit and NUTGTWN Gender Desk Officer, Comrade Medinat Ruth Balogun. Mrs Nkechi Odinukwe of the Solidarity Centre led other women activists to event. The occasion was used to renew the union’s pledge to combat violence in world of work. There was also a panel discussion on flourishing in the Fashion Industry that revealed opportunities for members in the informal sector.