Only Leaders With Political Will Can Revive Textile Industry — Union Leaders

The National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria has called for stronger political will and decisive implementation of existing policies to rescue the country’s collapsing textile and garment industry.

The president of the union, Comrade Peters Godonu, made the call yesterday in Kaduna at a one-day strategic engagement on the revitalisation of the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) sector held at the Adams Oshiomhole Textile Labour House, organised in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

Godonu said Nigeria’s textile crisis was not rooted in a lack of policy frameworks, but in weak execution and poor enforcement of government decisions already on paper.

He described the textile sector as once a major driver of industrial growth and mass employment, stressing that its collapse had worsened unemployment and slowed national economic development.

Commending Friedrich Ebert Stiftung for its sustained support for industrialisation and decent work in Nigeria, Godonu also acknowledged the resilience of textile employers operating under harsh economic conditions.

A major concern raised by the union leader was the rising influx of smuggled textile products, which he said continues to undermine local production and weaken the competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers.

According to him, smuggling and uncontrolled imports from Asia have significantly eroded local capacity, forcing factories to shut down and pushing thousands out of jobs.

He cited recent trade figures showing that Nigeria’s textile exports fell by 55.5 per cent to N16.55 billion in 2025 from N36.98 billion in 2024, while imports surged by 46.11 per cent to N1.061 trillion within the same period.

Godonu also faulted the weak enforcement of policies meant to promote local production, including Executive Order 003 and the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” initiative.

He expressed concern that despite the establishment of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board and the introduction of new policy frameworks, the sector had yet to experience a meaningful revival.

Referring to the recent launch of the CTG Value Chain Activation Milestone in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, he said there was still little evidence of industrial recovery, fresh investments or large-scale job creation.

The union president explained that the engagement was convened to build consensus among stakeholders on the practical steps needed to ensure the full implementation of industrial policies and to revive the sector.

Godonu also used the occasion to mark African Liberation Day, observed annually on 25 May, noting that the continent still grapples with poverty, unemployment and economic dependence despite decades of political independence.

He stressed that Africa’s true liberation would only be achieved through industrial growth, economic independence and decent employment opportunities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Ali Baba, said textile workers would support political leaders committed to reviving the textile industry ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the union’s position was anchored on the belief that the struggle for the revitalisation of the textile sector is central to Nigeria’s broader quest for industrial emancipation and economic sovereignty.