The Federal Government in collaboration with development partners and the commercial sector, is working on a rejuvenation strategy for Nigeria’s cotton, textile, and garment industries.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite while reviewing the activities of the ministry in the last year, according to Vanguard.
In addition, Uzoka-Anite said that about $3.5 billion in investments were secured within the period to rejuvenate the moribund sector.
She stated that the textile business in Nigeria includes the entire clothing value chain and that investment in the textile industry will create jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers across the country.
She said “The Ministry is developing a resurgence plan for the Nigeria cotton, textile and apparel industry in partnership with development partners and private sector players. We have attracted $3.5 billion to unlock the textile, cotton, and apparel industry.
“As you know, Nigeria’s textile and apparel industry covers the entire clothing value chain and has a strong potential for growth due to the availability of cotton and the country’s market size.
“This industry is one of the top contributors to the manufacturing sector of the economy with huge potential for employment for both skilled and unskilled labour with extensive capacity for generating export earnings and attracting foreign direct investment, therefore reducing poverty.”
Nigeria’s textile industry has been grappling over the years due to over-reliance on imported goods, and inconsistent government policies, despite the country’s vast market potential for cotton output.
Nigeria was a textile industry hotspot in the 1970s and 1980s, with over 180 textile mills employing over one million Nigerians.
Among these were United Nigerian Textile Limited, Aswani Textile, Afprint, Asaba Textile Mills, and Edo Textile Mills, among others.
However, by the 1990s, most of the enterprises had vanished, owing to hurdles such as rampant smuggling, unrestricted imports, irregular power supply, unpredictable government policies, and increased insecurity, which rendered them unprofitable.
