The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to building a robust and responsive policy framework to support the growth of Nigeria’s cotton, textile and garment sector.
Plans are also in place to lessen the country’s dependency on imported apparel.
In order to promote economic growth, create employment, and strengthen local manufacturing skills, this effort seeks to localise up to $4 billion in expenditure on textile imports.
John Enoh, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, promised to speed up the revitalisation of Nigeria’s CTG industry during a high-level stakeholder engagement on Wednesday in Abuja.
This pivotal event, themed “Co-Creating Solutions to Grow Nigeria’s CTG Industry,” brought together key players from across the value chain to deliberate on the sector’s future.
The nation spends $4 billion a year on clothing imports, according to major players in the industry, who earlier in their speech called the figure concerning and unsustainable. They urged the government to prioritise local production as a means of achieving economic diversification, job creation, and industrial revival.
To put the clothing industry at the centre of Nigeria’s economic rebirth, Adenike Ogunlesi, president of the Garment and Accessories Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, emphasised the urgent need for a change in approach.
Ogunlesi presented a strong case for clothing as the CTG value chain’s demand engine, one that might provide a significant amount of jobs, foreign cash, and international reputation for Nigerian-produced goods.
She underlined that Nigeria’s textile sector is still fragmented and operating poorly in spite of several interventions over the years.
“Garments do not just close the loop; they create the loop. Garment manufacturing should be seen not just as the end product but as the starting point of a value chain capable of propelling Nigeria’s industrial transformation,” she said.
But responding, the Minister restated the federal government’s commitment to promoting made-in-Nigeria goods and reviving the textile sector.
Citing Ogun State as an example, where more than 70,000 public employees are required to wear clothing manufactured in Nigeria weekly, he announced plans for a nationwide drive to promote local clothing and items across all ministries, departments, and agencies.
He gave them his word that the government would collaborate closely with organisations such as the Bank of Industry to make it easier for clothing and textile companies to obtain financing and equipment.
By announcing that he would only drive a car built in Nigeria once the national campaign got underway, he also alluded to a personal dedication to the cause and demonstrated his conviction in setting an example.
“We must ask ourselves: do we prioritise cotton, textiles, or garments? The reality is that garmenting stimulates the entire chain.
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“Countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Kenya started by importing textiles but built strong garment export markets that later justified investment in spinning, weaving, and cotton farming,” Enoh explained.
He affirmed the government’s resolve to move from policy formulation to execution, calling for unity, reduced sectoral fragmentation, and a renewed sense of urgency.
Nigeria had a booming textile industry from the 1950s to the 1980s.
According to history, the sector once hosted over 180 textile mills operating at 50 per cent or more capacity and employed over 500,000 persons.
