Cotton To Clothing: Nigeria’s Industrial Potential At Risk

THE ECONOMIC AND LIVELIHOOD IMPACT OF AILING COTTON AND TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Job-Rich Sector Faces Decline

NIGERIA’S cotton, textile, and garment (CTG) sector—historically a major employer and foreign exchange earner—is under severe strain. In 2025, production levels remained below sustainable thresholds, with ginneries operating at minimal capacity and many textile firms closing. Stakeholders warn that the industry’s collapse could undermine industrialisation efforts, reduce rural incomes, and increase reliance on imports.

Underlying Causes of the Crisis

Experts point to policy inconsistency, inadequate financing, and weak market protection as the root causes, rather than farmer inefficiency. Ado Sule highlights the absence of locally adapted hybrid seeds, high costs of imported machinery, and lack of HVI laboratories for lint quality assurance.

The decline is compounded by poor infrastructure, limited long-term financing, and systemic market distortions that make Nigerian cotton uncompetitive globally. Even successful past interventions like the Central Bank’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme failed to establish a lasting transition framework, leading to reduced output.

Proposed Roadmap for Recovery

Stakeholders recommend a coordinated approach, including:

• Funding research institutes to develop competitive cotton varieties.

• Mechanisation support schemes for smallholders.

• Incentives to establish domestic seed production.

• Operationalisation of the CTG Board to harmonize policies, coordinate interventions, and align fiscal and monetary support.

Samuel Oloruntoba stresses that only a holistic approach addressing cotton farming, ginning, textile manufacturing, and garment production together can ensure sector survival.

Integrating Agriculture, Industry, and Food Security

Anibe Achimugu highlights that linking cotton production with food security via intercropping could strengthen rural livelihoods while providing a steady supply of raw materials for domestic industries. He underscores that strategic interventions will drive inclusive growth, job creation, and industrial resilience if effectively implemented.