FG reaffirms commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s textile industry

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s textile industry, citing its strategic role in job creation, economic diversification, and sustainable development.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, gave the assurance in Abuja during a courtesy visit by delegates from the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Forum (CTGDF), led by its Coordinator, Chief (Dr) Anibe Achimugu.

Senator Akume underscored the significance of the textile industry to Nigeria’s economic transformation, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has constituted a board dedicated to revitalising the sector.

“This administration understands that the textile industry is vital to Nigeria’s economic growth, and that is why it decided to constitute a board to ensure the revitalisation of the industry. The reactivation of this crucial sector will create job opportunities and spur industrialisation,” he said.

He further reiterated President Tinubu’s resolve to create an enabling environment for businesses to flourish and for Nigerian talents to be fully harnessed.

In his remarks, Dr Achimugu expressed deep appreciation to the SGF for his support, which he noted was instrumental in securing approval for the establishment of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board (CTGDB). The approval was granted at the 149th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held on 24 April 2025, and chaired by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON.

According to Dr Achimugu, “The CTG value chain offers one of Nigeria’s best opportunities for inclusive economic growth—creating millions of jobs, revitalising rural communities, boosting non-oil exports, and reducing dependence on textile imports, which currently exceed 5 billion dollars annually.

“We are committed to working with the Federal Government to reposition the CTG sector as a cornerstone of economic diversification, capable of creating over two million jobs, saving foreign exchange, and contributing significantly to national GDP,” he added.

The move is widely seen as a critical step towards industrial resurgence in Nigeria, with stakeholders hopeful that the renewed focus on the textile sector will yield measurable economic impact in the coming years.