Reviving Nigeria's Fibre, Textile and Apparel Sector
Under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) is implementing the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP). Through targeted policies, new institutions, and flagship projects, the Ministry is turning the fibre-to-fashion value chain into a driver of jobs, exports, and industrial growth.
Why the FTA Sector Matters
Every garment begins as fibre. In Nigeria, it often starts as cotton planted by farmers in the North and the South-West. The cotton then moves through ginneries, textile mills, and garment factories before ending up as clothing. The Fibre, Textile & Apparel value chain connects these steps, turning agriculture into industry and jobs.Once employing over 450,000 people and contributing 25% of manufacturing GDP, the FTA industry was Nigeria’s second-largest employer after the government. Textile mills thrived, workers filled factory floors, and “Made in Nigeria” carried pride. Then the industry fell silent—undone by policy gaps and an influx of imports. But the story isn’t over.Today, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment is writing a new chapter, repositioning the FTA industry as a modern, competitive, and job-creating engine for national growth.
Introducing the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP)
This NCTG-ITP is a four-phased execution-led industrial transformation programme that connects production, markets, policy, finance, infrastructure, and institutions into a single delivery framework across the entire CTG value chain.
Phase 1: Value Chain Activation Pilot (Oct 2025 – Mar 2026) - Initial activation of value chain linkages and proof of execution.
Phase 2: Value Chain Enablement (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026) - Alignment of policy measures and institutions.
Phase 3: Value Chain Scale-Up (Apr 2026 – Nov 2026) - Expansion of production capacity supported by financing and industrial infrastructure.
Phase 4: Market Expansion and Investment Anchoring (2027) - Expansion into domestic and regional markets and alignment of long-term investment capital.
Each phase builds on the previous to move the sector from activation → expansion → consolidation → competitiveness.
Phase 1: Value Chain Activation Pilot
This phase focuses on reactivating the practical linkages that connect cotton farmers, ginneries, textile mills, and garment manufacturers. Through a carefully designed pilot, the programme tests how the value chain can function when coordination and institutional support align.The objective is simple but important: demonstrate that production can move again across the chain. The lessons from this phase provide the operational foundation for broader industry revival.
End-To-End Coordination
Phase 2: Value Chain Enablement
Nigeria’s FTA industry is being rebuilt on a new foundation that combines sound policy with strong institutions. During this phase, the policy and regulatory environment that supports the industry is strengthened.Together, these frameworks mark the start of a new chapter for Nigeria’s fibre-to-fashion economy — one built on policy clarity, institutional coordination, and a forward-looking vision for growth.
Nomenclature Change – From CTG to FTA
The shift from Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) to Fibre, Textile and Apparel (FTA) reflects a broader vision.
Revised FTA Policy
The new policy framework will strengthen the value chain through raw materials, infrastructure, finance, fiscal, market, skill and regulation measures.
National FTA Development Council (NFTADC)
The soon-to-be operationalized NFTADC, will be a dedicated institution responsible for coordination & implementation
Phase 3: Value Chain Scale-Up
With early pilots completed and enabling systems in place, the programme enters a phase of expansion. Production capacity across the cotton, textile, and garment segments begins to grow as financing mechanisms, industrial infrastructure, and supply chain coordination support larger-scale projects.The focus of this phase is to translate policy alignment and early execution into measurable increases in domestic production, employment, and industrial capability.
Value Chain Linkage
Connecting existing value chain actors and improving supply chain coordination.
Textile Industrial Park
Revitalising dormant textile manufacturing assets and transforming them into CTG industrial parks
MSME Production Cluster
Strengthening MSME segment by upgrading textile and garment clusters.
Phase 4: Market Expansion and Investment Anchoring
As production capacity strengthens, the programme turns its attention to market depth and long-term investment.Domestic demand for locally produced textiles and garments is expanded through structured market linkages, while regional opportunities within Africa create new pathways for Nigerian manufacturers. At the same time, investment frameworks are aligned to attract capital into cotton production, textile and garment manufacturing.
From Domestic Demand to Export Growth
Programme Governance Structure
The NCTG-ITP is governed through a two-tier structure comprising the Strategic Coordination Body and the Implementation Task Force, with a total of 29 members drawn from government, industry, financial institutions, and development partners.
Looking Ahead ->
Earlier this year, we launched the Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP), setting out a clear framework for rebuilding the country’s productive sectors and strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base. Within this broader industrialization agenda, the FTA industry has been identified as a strategic sector with the potential to drive inclusive industrial growth.Reviving this sector is more than an economic imperative. It is central to job creation, rural development, and Nigeria’s participation in regional and global value chains. Through collaboration between government, industry, financial institutions, and development partners, we have established a clear growth pathway through the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP).The next phase focuses on translating the programme into tangible results that deliver measurable outcomes: factories reopened, production capacity expanded, industrial clusters upgraded, and exports scaled.The goal is clear: to build a self-sustaining, globally competitive fibre-to-fashion economy that creates jobs, drives exports, and restores Nigeria’s place as a manufacturing leader in Africa.Senator John Owan Enoh
Honorable Minister of State for Industry
Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment
Be Part of Nigeria’s FTA Transformation
Nigeria’s Fibre, Textile and Apparel (FTA) transformation is a national effort powered by collaboration. We invite investors, manufacturers, development partners, and entrepreneurs to play a role in building our fibre-to-fashion economy.For partnerships, investments, and inquiries, contact the Programme Secretariat: [email protected]
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