The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to revitalising the textile industry in Nigeria, aiming to empower the cotton, textile, and garment sector to drive employment and reduce reliance on imports.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, who spoke at a town hall meeting of stakeholders in the cotton value chain yesterday in Abuja, said efforts were ongoing to attract investors and implement action plans to revive the industry.
The minister projected the creation of 200,000 jobs in the next two years and emphasised the potential of the fashion industry to drive demand for locally produced textiles and garments.
She also disclosed plans to upgrade existing facilities, introduce new technologies, and improve production quality to compete internationally.
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Sheriff Balogun, the President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity of Nigeria (FACAN), stressed the need for a cooperative mindset and swift action to address sector challenges.
“Currently Nigeria is facing crises of foreign exchange, low purchasing power and unemployment. We cannot resolve these crises unless we turn them into opportunities. We should move to adding value to our raw materials,” he said.
He noted the potential for exporting garments globally and highlighted the need for support from entities like Dangote in accessing affordable diesel.
