WorldStage — The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a roadmap to revive Nigeria’s textile and garment industry, targeting mass employment, increased exports and reduced imports.
The roadmap was unveiled during a stakeholders’ engagement on the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme in Kaduna.
Mrs Eme Bassey, Special Adviser on Cotton, Textile and Garments, disclosed the plan on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Bassey said the roadmap identified strategic textile assets for revitalisation, including Kaduna’s Kakuri textile hub.
She said the initiative would restore abandoned facilities, stimulate production and reposition the sector for sustainable growth.
According to her, the programme aims to create jobs, reduce dependence on imported textiles and promote exports.
Bassey said the ministry was reviewing the 2015 textile policy to introduce fresh fiscal, financial, regulatory and skills development incentives.
She said the revised policy would encourage domestic and foreign investments across the textile value chain.
“The government’s role is to create policies that attract investment and support industry growth,” she said.
Bassey said the ministry was collaborating with research institutions, development partners and government agencies to improve local cotton production.
She said the partnership would address challenges affecting cotton quality and supply for textile manufacturers.
Bassey disclosed ongoing discussions with the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture on affordable financing for manufacturers, especially SMEs.
She said the industrial transformation programme would be implemented in four phases, with policy reforms currently underway.
According to her, subsequent phases will focus on expanding production, infrastructure, institutional capacity and financing.
Bassey said government was also tackling textile smuggling and counterfeit products through an existing inter-agency task force.
She identified electricity costs as a major challenge, adding that increased gas utilisation would reduce energy expenses for manufacturers.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a lifeline for cotton farmers.
Dabo said the collapse of textile industries had left thousands of cotton farmers without reliable markets.
He expressed optimism that the Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano gas pipeline would lower energy costs and support industrial revival.
Dabo recalled that Kaduna once served as Nigeria’s leading textile production centre with regional export capacity.
Permanent Secretary, Kaduna Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology, Malam Waheed Musa, said the state remained Northern Nigeria’s textile hub.
Musa said over 10 textile industries had shut down in recent years due to operational challenges.
He said Kaduna Government was working with the Federal Government to restore the sector.
Musa urged investors to leverage Kaduna’s business-friendly environment and vast textile value chain opportunities.
He added that the state was developing power infrastructure to improve electricity supply for industries.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that improved policies, infrastructure, financing and affordable energy would restore Nigeria’s textile industry and strengthen economic growth
