By Jennete Ugo Anya
The federal government has kicked off a strategic inspection tour of Kaduna’s textile factories as part of a bold push to breathe life back into Nigeria’s once-thriving cotton, textile, and garment (CTG) sector.
Leading the charge is Senator John Owan Enoh, Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, who visited key facilities including the historic United Nigeria Textiles Limited (UNTL) and Chellco Industries. The tour marks a major step under the President Bola Tinubu administration’s industrial recovery agenda, with job creation and inclusive growth sitting at the core of its 8-point policy blueprint.
Speaking during the visit, Senator Enoh described the CTG sector as a backbone for industrial transformation and a ready vehicle for absorbing Nigeria’s growing labour force.
“The textile sector is not just about fabrics – it is about people, production, and prosperity,” he said. “Reviving UNTL is critical to restoring investor confidence and driving economic inclusion.”
His message was clear: the administration is serious about repositioning the CTG industry and tackling long-standing barriers that have stalled its growth.
Once a bustling hub, UNTL has been dormant since 2022, a casualty of economic turbulence and systemic neglect. At its peak, the factory engaged over 10,000 workers across the value chain. Today, its silence is a grim reminder of missed opportunities and rising unemployment.
Speaking on the sidelines of the visit, the Emir of Kano and Chairman of UNTL, His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, did not mince words.
“The shutdown of UNTL is not just a business failure; it is a social and economic tragedy. Our youths are idle, and insecurity is growing. We need urgent government action,” he said.
His Royal Highness Sanusi outlined the sector’s top challenges: erratic power supply, unchecked smuggling of foreign fabrics, weak patent protections, and poor institutional support for domestic sourcing – especially for military and paramilitary uniforms.
He called on the federal government to fix the loopholes stifling local production, warning that the future of textile manufacturing depends on swift policy enforcement and genuine public-private synergy.
Senator Enoh also toured Chellco Industries, one of the few textile companies still standing in Kaduna. Founded in 1980, Chellco has managed to stay afloat against all odds, employing over 290 workers and maintaining local supply chains.
He commended the company’s resilience, calling it “a living proof that the Nigerian textile industry can still thrive with the right support.”
According to the Ministry, the inspection is just the beginning. Stakeholder dialogues have already taken place to shape reforms, build solid partnerships, and align Nigeria’s textile goals with export ambitions. The government is also in talks with development partners to enhance policy and infrastructure backing for the sector.
For Kaduna, a region with deep roots in cotton and textile production, the renewed attention signals hope. For Nigeria, the CTG revival could become a game-changer – boosting jobs, curbing imports, and restoring national pride in locally made products.
