In partnership with development partners and the commercial sector, the Federal Government is working on a revival strategy for Nigeria’s cotton, textile, and garment industries.
Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced this when assessing the ministry’s operations over the previous year, noting that around $3.5 billion in investments were obtained during that time to revitalise the moribund industry.
She stated that the textile business in Nigeria includes the whole apparel value chain, and that investment in the textile industry will create jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers across the country.
“The Ministry is developing a resurgence plan for the Nigeria cotton, textile and apparel industry in partnership with development partners and private sector players. We have attracted $3.5 billion to unlock the textile, cotton and apparel industry.
“As you know, Nigeria’s textile and apparel industry covers the entire clothing value chain and has a strong potential for growth due to the availability of cotton and the country’s market size.
“This industry is one of the top contributors to the manufacturing sector of the economy with huge potential for employment for both skilled and unskilled labour with extensive capacity for generating export earnings and attracting foreign direct investment, therefore reducing poverty,” Uzoka-Anite explained.
Nigeria’s textile sector has suffered over the years, despite the country’s vast market potential for cotton output.
Nigeria was a textile industry hotspot in the 1970s and 1980s, with over 180 textile mills employing over one million Nigerians.
These included United Nigerian Textile Limited, Aswani Textile, Afprint, Asaba Textile Mills, and Edo Textile Mills, among others.
However, by the 1990s, most of the enterprises had vanished, owing to hurdles such as rampant smuggling, unrestricted imports, irregular power supply, unpredictable government policies, and increased insecurity, which rendered them unprofitable.
2,545 security personnel killed in four years — Report
2026 WCQ: Ndidi keen to face former Super Eagles coach, Rohr
Gov Mutfwang lifts curfew on Plateau LG after five months
cc: Vanguard Ng
