The Nigerian government has stepped up efforts to revive the country’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industry as part of a broader strategy to accelerate industrialization, reduce import dependence, and create more than 1.5 million jobs annually.
The renewed push comes after a dramatic decline in Nigeria’s cotton production, which has fallen by approximately 95 percent over the past two decades—from around 200,000 metric tons in 2001 to an estimated 10,000 metric tons in 2025. The decline has significantly weakened a sector that once served as one of the country’s largest industrial employers and a key contributor to manufacturing growth.
Speaking at the National CTG Value Chain Activation Pilot Milestone Event, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, described the collapse of cotton production as a major challenge for the country’s industrial development. He emphasized that years of underinvestment, fragmented policies, weak coordination among stakeholders, and increasing dependence on imported textile products had contributed to the sector’s decline.However, Enoh expressed confidence that current reforms and pilot programs would help restore the industry’s competitiveness and rebuild an integrated cotton-to-garment value chain capable of serving both domestic and international markets
Pilot Project Demonstrates Local Manufacturing Potential
A key highlight of the government’s revival strategy is a pilot project that has successfully demonstrated the viability of producing garments entirely within Nigeria. According to Enoh, the initiative proved that locally grown cotton can be cultivated, processed, spun, woven, and transformed into finished apparel within six to seven months.
As part of the project, stakeholders produced 10,000 Made-in-Nigeria T-shirts using cotton sourced from local farmers. The achievement is being viewed as a practical demonstration of the country’s manufacturing capabilities and its potential to reduce reliance on imported garments.
“The initiative has proven that Nigeria can produce garments at better quality, better pricing, and in larger quantities than imported alternatives,” Enoh stated.He stressed that the government is now focused on moving beyond policy discussions and toward tangible implementation that supports domestic industries and strengthens local production capacity.“What you have seen today is not a concept note or policy proposal. It is proof that these things are possible and are already happening,” he added.
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Textile Sector Central to Nigeria’s Industrial Policy
The textile revival initiative forms an important component of Nigeria’s recently launched Industrial Policy. Government officials believe the CTG sector can play a transformative role in stimulating manufacturing activity, strengthening domestic supply chains, attracting investment, and creating employment opportunities across multiple segments of the economy.The minister noted that lessons learned from the pilot project revealed significant structural weaknesses within the textile value chain, particularly the lack of coordination between cotton growers, textile mills, and garment manufacturers.
According to Enoh, previous intervention programs often focused on individual segments of the industry rather than developing a fully integrated ecosystem capable of supporting sustainable growth.“The problem is not entirely funding or infrastructure. The real issue is that the value chain was never designed to function as one coordinated system,” he explained.
To address these challenges, the government plans to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, improve market linkages, expand access to financing, and provide greater support for smallholder cotton farmers who remain critical to rebuilding domestic cotton production.
Financing Support for Cotton Farmers
As part of the next phase of implementation, the Federal Government is working closely with financial institutions to increase investment in cotton farming and textile manufacturing.
Enoh disclosed that the Bank of Agriculture has already indicated its willingness to provide financing support for cotton cultivation, particularly for small-scale farmers who represent a significant portion of the country’s agricultural workforce.Improved access to finance is expected to encourage higher cotton production, enhance productivity, and ensure a stable supply of raw materials for textile manufacturers.
Potential to Generate 1.5 Million Jobs
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chris Osa Isokpunwu, described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to revive one of Nigeria’s most important manufacturing sectors while supporting the country’s economic diversification agenda.
According to Isokpunwu, the CTG industry has the capacity to generate more than 1.5 million jobs annually, particularly for women and young people. The sector could also strengthen Nigeria’s position within regional and international markets by leveraging opportunities created through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Industry observers believe that if successfully implemented, the revival strategy could help restore Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s leading textile manufacturing hubs while reducing the country’s dependence on imported apparel and textile products.
With growing government commitment, renewed stakeholder collaboration, and increasing support for local production, Nigeria’s textile industry may be entering a new chapter—one that could reshape the country’s manufacturing landscape and create significant economic opportunities across the value chain.
