The Senate has urged the Federal Government to impose a total ban on the importation of foreign textile materials as part of efforts to revive Nigeria’s textile industry and boost local cotton production.
The upper legislative chamber also called on the Federal Government, through the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade and Investment, to take immediate steps to resuscitate textile manufacturing across the country, particularly along the Kaduna-Kano industrial corridor.
Lawmakers argued that reviving the sector would create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and help address the rising challenges of youth unemployment and insecurity.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled “Urgent Need to Revive the Textile Industries in Nigeria with Particular Reference to the Kaduna-Kano Axis,” sponsored by Senator Sunday Katung (APC, Kaduna South) and co-sponsored by several senators from different political parties and regions.
While presenting the motion, Senator Katung recalled that Nigeria’s first large-scale textile manufacturing mill was established in Kaduna in 1957, laying the foundation for the growth of the textile industry across the country.
According to him, the sector once served as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy, providing employment for thousands of workers and supporting industrial development before its decline due to various economic and policy challenges.
Following extensive deliberations, the Senate unanimously adopted the motion and called on the Federal Government to implement comprehensive policies aimed at revitalising the entire textile value chain—from cotton cultivation and processing to manufacturing and distribution.
Lawmakers maintained that rebuilding the textile industry would not only strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base but also reduce dependence on imported fabrics, increase local production, and contribute significantly to economic diversification efforts.
