Nigeria to Unveil Cotton, Textile, Garment Policy by July 2026

News in brief:

-Nigeria will unveil a strategic cotton, textile and garment policy framework by July to revive the struggling industry.

-The initiative aims to boost local production, attract investment and finance farmers and operators across the cotton value chain.

The Federal Government of Nigeria revealed that it will unveil a strategic policy framework for the cotton, textile and garment (CTG) sector between June and July 2026, as part of efforts to revive the industry and attract investment.

Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, disclosed this after the first phase of the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme in Abuja.

Enoh said the framework would provide broad policy guidelines for the sector while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.

Revival of Declining Cotton Industry

The minister expressed concern over the sharp decline in Nigeria’s cotton production, which he said dropped from about 200,000 metric tonnes in 2001 to approximately 10,000 metric tonnes in 2025.

According to him, the planned policy framework is intended to reverse the decline by promoting local production, strengthening industrial processing and improving competitiveness across the value chain.

He noted that the pilot phase of the transformation programme demonstrated that cotton could be planted, processed and converted into finished garments within six to seven months.

Enoh claimed that the pilot also showed that locally-produced T-shirts manufactured from Nigerian cotton were superior in quality, pricing and quantity compared to imported alternatives.

He explained that the programme, which involved stakeholders across cotton farming, textile manufacturing and garment production, would now proceed to a scale-up phase.

According to the minister, the expansion phase is expected to deepen local participation, strengthen industrial linkages and increase domestic manufacturing capacity.

Agriculture Bank Plans Financing Support for Cotton Farmers

Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Mr Ayo Sotinrin, said the institution has already commenced plans to finance smallholder cotton farmers to support the revitalisation of the sector.

He disclosed that the government is also establishing a dedicated intervention fund that would be channelled through the bank to support operators across the entire cotton, textile and garment value chain.

Sotinrin said the financing would focus on improved seeds, fertiliser supply, crop protection and technology-driven farming systems aimed at increasing productivity and improving efficiency.

The planned framework forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, reduce import dependence and reposition Nigeria’s textile industry as a major contributor to economic growth and employment generation.

Stakeholders believe the initiative could help restore Nigeria’s once-thriving textile sector while creating opportunities for farmers, manufacturers and garment producers across the country.