The Federal Government has launched fresh efforts to revive Nigeria’s struggling cotton, textile and garment industry after the country’s cotton production reportedly dropped by about 95 percent over the past two decades.
Speaking at the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Value Chain Activation Pilot Milestone Event, the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh said Nigeria’s cotton output declined from nearly 200,000 metric tonnes in 2001 to around 10,000 metric tonnes in 2025.
The minister described the situation as a major blow to the country’s industrial sector, noting that the textile industry once served as one of Nigeria’s biggest employers before years of decline, poor coordination and heavy dependence on imported materials weakened the sector.
According to him, the Federal Government is now implementing reforms aimed at rebuilding the entire cotton-to-garment production chain to stimulate industrial growth, create jobs and reduce reliance on imported clothing.
Enoh revealed that a pilot programme under the initiative had already produced 10,000 locally made T-shirts using cotton cultivated and processed within Nigeria. He said the project proved that the country has the capacity to produce quality garments competitively and at scale.
The minister added that the sector remains a major part of Nigeria’s industrial policy and could play a significant role in boosting manufacturing activities and strengthening local supply chains.
He explained that earlier interventions in the textile sector failed largely because they focused on isolated areas instead of building an integrated value chain linking farmers, textile producers and garment manufacturers.
The government, he said, plans to expand the initiative by improving financing opportunities, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening market connections across the industry.
Officials also disclosed that the Bank of Agriculture has expressed readiness to support cotton farmers financially.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chris Osa Isokpunwu, said the textile revival programme could generate more than 1.5 million jobs annually, especially for women and young people, while improving Nigeria’s competitiveness within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
