The Federal Government has produced 10,000 made-in-Nigeria T-shirts within six months under a pilot scheme aimed at reviving the country’s textile industry and reducing dependence on imports.
Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Phase I Showcase and Stakeholder Working Session of the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP).
The minister said the pilot initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity to transform locally grown cotton into globally competitive garments within a short production cycle.
“Our biggest challenge has not been finance or infrastructure alone, but coordination across the value chain,” Enoh said, noting that the government is strengthening policy frameworks to support farmers, manufacturers and investors.
He described the programme as a practical step towards rebuilding Nigeria’s once-thriving textile sector, positioning it as a key driver of industrial growth, job creation and export competitiveness.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, said the initiative is a strategic intervention designed to boost economic diversification and large-scale employment.
According to him, the cotton, textile and garment sector has the potential to generate over 1.5 million jobs, particularly for women and youths, while enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Also speaking, Director of Industrial Development, Olumuyiwa Ajayi, said the framework would attract investment, deepen value chains and expand opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises through improved access to technology, skills and markets.
Providing details of the pilot, Special Adviser on CTG to the minister, Eme Bassey, said the project successfully produced the 10,000 T-shirts using locally sourced cotton, proving that Nigerian factories can compete favourably with imported garments in both quality and cost.
Development partners also pledged support for the sector’s revival. Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Shotirin, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to financing farmers and businesses across the value chain, while representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization stressed the need for sustained collaboration and investment.
The initiative is part of broader government efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s industrial base, reduce import dependence and strengthen local manufacturing capacity.
