Nigeria has produced its first 10,000 made-in-Nigeria T-shirts under a new Federal Government-backed textile revival programme aimed at reducing import dependence and rebuilding the country’s struggling cotton, textile and garment industry.
The T-shirts were produced under the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP), a six-month pilot scheme unveiled during the Phase I Showcase and Stakeholder Working Session held in Abuja.
The Federal Government said the project demonstrated that Nigerian cotton can be processed locally into finished garments that meet competitive standards, while also creating jobs and supporting local manufacturing.
Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, described the successful production as a major signal that Nigeria still has the capacity to revive its once-thriving textile sector.
According to him, the country’s biggest challenge has not only been funding or infrastructure, but poor coordination across the cotton-to-garment value chain.
“Our biggest challenge has not been finance or infrastructure alone, but coordination across the value chain,” Enoh said.
He explained that the Federal Government is working with institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to strengthen support for farmers, manufacturers and investors operating within the industry.
Enoh added that the programme is expected to reduce Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported clothing while increasing local production capacity and employment opportunities.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chris Osa Isokpunwu, said the initiative forms part of broader plans to drive industrial revitalisation and economic diversification.
He noted that the cotton, textile and garment sector could create over 1.5 million jobs across Nigeria, especially for women and young people, while also improving the country’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
Director of Industrial Development, Olumuyiwa Ajayi, said the framework would help deepen local value chains, attract investment and support small businesses through technology adoption, skills development and expanded market access.
Special Adviser on CTG to the minister, Eme Bassey, disclosed that all 10,000 T-shirts were produced entirely from locally sourced cotton.
He said the pilot project proved that Nigerian factories can manufacture quality garments at prices capable of competing with imported products.
Development partners and financial institutions also pledged continued support for the revival of Nigeria’s textile industry.
