The Federal Government has intensified efforts to revive Nigeria’s once vibrant Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industry with a strategic initiative aimed at establishing integrated industrial parks that will strengthen the entire value chain and stimulate large-scale industrial growth.
The initiative took centre stage at a high-level meeting convened by the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Abuja. The meeting brought together key development and financial institutions including the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dapo Olusi; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Abba Bello; and the Regional Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Philbert Johnson, alongside other public and private sector stakeholders.
Deliberations focused on the development of integrated CTG industrial parks designed to link all stages of production from cotton farming and ginning to textile manufacturing and garment production in order to create a more efficient and competitive industry.
The initiative is expected to tackle longstanding challenges within the sector, including fragmented production systems, infrastructure gaps and limited access to financing, which have hindered the growth and competitiveness of the industry over the years.
Speaking during the meeting, the Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, emphasized that a strong policy framework, well-structured project development and access to financing are essential for the successful implementation of the initiative.
Revitalizing the cotton, textile and garment sector is central to our industrial growth strategy. By developing integrated industrial parks and strengthening policy support, we are laying the foundation for a more competitive and sustainable industry,” he said.
The Minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is currently working on a comprehensive policy framework for the sector, which will soon be presented for stakeholder validation.
Stakeholders at the meeting underscored the importance of identifying and supporting capable local manufacturers who can take advantage of government initiatives and meet the rising demand created by public sector procurement under the Nigeria First policy.
The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dapo Olusi, stressed the importance of financing structures that can support the scale of investment required in the sector.
The textile and garment industry requires long-term financing and strategic support. With the right structure in place, we can unlock significant investment and rebuild the sector to compete globally,” he noted.
Participants also examined the possibility of adopting a “brownfield approach,” which focuses on revitalizing existing industrial facilities and infrastructure rather than building entirely new ones, a strategy considered capable of accelerating implementation and reducing project costs.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Abba Bello, highlighted the export potential of a revitalized textile industry.
Strengthening the cotton, textile and garment value chain will not only meet domestic demand but also position Nigeria to expand textile exports across regional and international markets,” he said.
Development partners present at the meeting also expressed strong support for the initiative and reiterated their readiness to provide technical expertise and investment support.
The Regional Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Philbert Johnson, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
UNIDO remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable industrial development, and the revitalization of the CTG sector presents a strong opportunity to drive inclusive economic growth,” he stated.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders agreed to establish a collaborative working group comprising relevant government agencies, development finance institutions and private sector representatives to develop implementation strategies, coordinate financing mechanisms and guide the next phase of the initiative.
The Federal Government reiterated that the revival of the cotton, textile and garment sector remains a critical component of Nigeria’s broader industrialization agenda, with the potential to generate significant employment, stimulate rural economies, reduce import dependence and strengthen the country’s export competitiveness.