THE Senate has called on the Federal Government to prohibit the importation of foreign textile materials as part of a broader strategy to revive Nigeria’s textile sector, boost local cotton production, and stimulate economic growth.
Lawmakers also urged the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade and Investment to urgently implement measures aimed at restoring textile manufacturing activities, particularly within the Kaduna–Kano industrial corridor, which was once a major hub for textile production and employment.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Katung (APC, Kaduna South), titled “Urgent Need to Revive the Textile Industries in Nigeria with Particular Reference to the Kaduna-Kano Axis.”
Presenting the motion, Senator Katung highlighted the historical significance of the textile industry, noting that Nigeria’s first large-scale textile mill was established in Kaduna in 1957.
He explained that supportive government policies in the 1960s and 1970s, including restrictions on textile imports, encouraged local investment and contributed to the sector’s rapid growth.
According to him, by the late 1970s and 1980s, Nigeria had approximately 167 textile mills employing over 500,000 workers directly, making the industry the country’s second-largest employer after the Federal Government.
However, Katung lamented the sector’s decline over the years, citing factors such as outdated machinery, inadequate funding, unreliable power supply, and inconsistent government policies.
He noted that many once-thriving textile factories have either shut down or become abandoned, significantly weakening the manufacturing sector.
Supporting lawmakers stressed the need for deliberate government intervention to restore the industry’s competitiveness, reduce dependence on imported fabrics, encourage local production, and create sustainable jobs for Nigerians.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate also called for increased funding to the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support struggling textile companies and urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen initiatives that promote cotton farming, which remains critical to the textile value chain.
Following deliberations, the Senate adopted the motion and urged the Federal Government to implement comprehensive policies that would revitalize the entire textile ecosystem from cotton cultivation and processing to manufacturing and distribution thereby strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and supporting long-term economic development.
