By Abba Onyekachukwu
Abuja
The Federal Government has unveiled a renewed push to revive Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industry through the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP), according to a press release from Obilor -Duru Augustina Okechi, Head Press and Public Relations Thursday. Officials say the initiative is designed to reposition the sector as a major engine for jobs, industrial growth and export competitiveness.
At the Phase I Showcase and Stakeholder Working Session held in Abuja on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, Minister of State for Industry John Owan Enoh said the pilot phase had demonstrated Nigeria’s ability to transform locally grown cotton into globally competitive garments within six to seven months. He described the outcome as proof of the country’s production capacity and market potential.
Enoh described the programme as a practical implementation of the Nigerian Industrial Policy. He said Nigeria now has the skills, production capacity and market opportunities required to rebuild its once-thriving textile industry, reduce dependence on imports and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
The minister identified weak coordination across the value chain as the sector’s biggest challenge, rather than finance or infrastructure alone. He said government is developing a stronger policy framework to support farmers, manufacturers and investors through partnerships with institutions including the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, called the initiative a strategic national intervention for industrial revitalisation and economic diversification. He said the CTG sector could generate over 1.5 million jobs, particularly for women and youths, while improving Nigeria’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Director of Industrial Development, Olumuyiwa Ajayi, said the new framework aims to attract investment, ensure policy consistency, deepen value chains and expand opportunities for small and medium enterprises. He added that technology adoption, skills development and improved market access would be central to the approach.
Presenting the pilot overview, Special Adviser on CTG to the minister, Eme Bassey, said the six-month project produced 10,000 made-in-Nigeria T-shirts using locally sourced cotton. She said the result proved that Nigerian factories could deliver high-quality garments at costs competitive with imports.
Development partners and financial institutions also pledged support for the sector’s revival. Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Shotirin, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to financing farmers and businesses across the CTG value chain, while Philbert Johnson of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization said Nigeria’s industrial transformation was achievable through stronger collaboration, investment partnerships and sustained policy support.
