Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has unveiled a bold new drive to revive Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industry, using the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP) to reposition the sector as a major engine for jobs, industrial growth and export competitiveness. This was contained in a statement signed by Obilor-Duru Augustina Okechi, Head, Press, and Public Relations.
At the Phase I Showcase and Stakeholder Working Session of the programme held on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, said the pilot initiative has already demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to transform locally grown cotton into globally competitive garments within six to seven months.
The Minister described the programme as a practical implementation of the Nigerian Industrial Policy, stressing that the country now possesses the production capacity, skills and market potential required to rebuild the once-thriving textile industry, reduce import dependence and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
“Our biggest challenge has not been finance or infrastructure alone, but coordination across the value chain,” the Minister stated, adding that government is developing a stronger policy framework to support farmers, manufacturers and investors through strategic partnerships with institutions including the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu described the initiative as a strategic national intervention aimed at industrial revitalisation, economic diversification, and large-scale job creation.
He noted that the CTG sector has the potential to generate over 1.5 million jobs, particularly for women and youths, while strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Director of Industrial Development, Olumuyiwa Ajayi, said the new framework is designed to attract investment, improve policy consistency, deepen value chains and create wider opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises through technology adoption, skills development and market access.
Delivering the pilot overview, Special Adviser on CTG to the Honourable Minister, Eme Bassey, revealed that the six-month pilot project successfully produced 10,000 made-in-Nigeria T-shirts using locally sourced cotton, proving that Nigerian factories can deliver high-quality garments at costs competitive with imports.
Development partners and financial institutions also pledged support for the sector’s revival. The Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Shotirin, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting farmers and businesses across the CTG value chain, while Philbert Johnson of United Nations Industrial Development Organization said Nigeria’s industrial transformation remains achievable through stronger collaboration, investment partnerships and sustained policy support.
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