FG Vows to Revive Nigeria’s Textile Industry, Assures Policy Support
The Federal Government has pledged to address challenges in Nigeria’s textile industry, assuring manufacturers of policies that will create a level playing field for local producers.
The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, made this commitment on Wednesday during a visit to Sunflag Nigeria Limited, a textile manufacturing company in Lagos, as part of a three-day industrial tour.
Government’s Commitment to Reviving the Textile Sector
Acknowledging the industry’s decline, Enoh recalled how Nigeria’s textile sector once rivaled the government in employment generation. He assured stakeholders of renewed government support under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Several years ago, the textile industry competed almost fairly with the government in terms of employment. The government of President Bola Tinubu has an eight-point agenda, and nearly every aspect of it focuses on job creation. Agenda Seven is about diversifying our economy through industry and manufacturing,” he stated.
Enoh condemned the influx of second-hand clothing and unchecked textile imports, describing them as key factors crippling the industry.
“Three hundred containers come into this country daily, unaccounted for. They pay no duties, whereas you do, and that’s the level playing field you’re talking about. I have noted your concerns and assure you that we are determined to revive the textile industry,” he assured.
To further address these issues, Enoh announced that the Ministry of Industry will convene a session on Cotton, Textiles, and Garments within two weeks to engage stakeholders in finding solutions.
“We need to see what must be done to get this sector back on track,” he added.
Industry Challenges: Declining Employment and Energy Costs
The Managing Director of Sunflag Nigeria Limited, Alok Bhardwaj, lamented the sharp decline in the textile industry, noting that employment had plummeted from 250,000 in the 1980s to just 10,000 today.
“Sunflag Nigeria has been here since 1961. We don’t trade, we produce, using Nigerian cotton, labor, and land to make yarn, wool, towels, African prints, school uniforms, sewing thread, suits, and mattress fabrics,” Bhardwaj said.
“Between 1985 and 1990, there were over 250 textile companies in Nigeria, employing 250,000 workers. Today, only 10,000 people remain in the industry, with Sunflag Nigeria employing 3,500 of them,” he revealed.
Call for Government Protection Against Textile Imports
Bhardwaj urged the government to protect the local textile industry, citing the example of the United States under President Donald Trump.
“President Trump protected American workers and industries—why can’t we do the same? Nigeria imports $6 billion worth of textiles annually, employing 750,000 Chinese and Indian workers, while only 10,000 Nigerians are employed in the sector,” he stated.
He further highlighted the impact of second-hand clothing imports on Nigerian tailors.
“About 1.5 million Nigerian tailors are affected by the massive influx of used clothing. If just 10% of these imports were reduced, it would dramatically boost employment in the sector,” he explained.
Energy Costs and Policy Implementation
Bhardwaj also stressed the need for affordable energy to help manufacturers remain competitive.
“We generate 40 megawatts of electricity for ourselves, yet previous agreements on gas pricing have not been fully implemented. We need government support to reduce costs and ensure survival,” he added.
Government’s Next Steps
Senator Enoh reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to reviving the textile industry.
“If there is a government that will change this situation, it is the government of President Tinubu. We are determined to make a positive change and see this industry flourish again,” he declared.
Enoh emphasized the importance of strengthening the local market and pledged continued engagement with stakeholders to find lasting solutions.
“This industrial tour is necessary so we can meet with industry players directly and understand their challenges first-hand,” he concluded.
With these commitments, Nigeria’s textile industry may be on the path to revival, provided the promised policies and enforcement measures are effectively implemented.
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