The Federal Government has inaugurated a Steering Committee to develop a framework for the establishment of the Cotton, Textile, and Garment Development Board (CTGDB). The move is part of strategic efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s cotton, textile, and garment (CTG) sector and stimulate economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Pres. Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Thursday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, noted that the decision aligns with the administration’s priorities of economic diversification, job creation, and industrial revitalisation.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, restoring the CTG sector to its rightful place as a driver of economic growth, remains a key priority. The need for this board was deliberated upon at the 149th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held on April 24, 2025,” he stated.
Sen. Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, lamented that the sector, which historically supported thousands of livelihoods and contributed significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has faced decades of decline. He cited challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent policies, smuggling, and intense competition from imported materials.
He urged the committee to prioritise local content and encourage public-private partnerships, assuring them of the government’s readiness to act on their recommendations to restore the vital sector.
The Steering Committee is chaired by the Director overseeing the Office of Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF, Mr. Abia Ifiok Bassey. Membership includes representatives from the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), Apparel and Accessories Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (AAMAN), and National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN). Other members represent the Nigerian Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd, Textile Researchers Association of Nigeria (TRAN), New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), Cotton Ginners Association of Nigeria (CGAN), the CTG Development Forum, and Kaduna State.
The committee’s Terms of Reference include reviewing NEC decisions on the board’s establishment, proposing budgetary provisions, recommending supportive policies, and determining the regulatory powers of the board.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the CTG Development Forum (CTGDF), Anibe Achimugu, described the inauguration as a historic transition “from advocacy to implementation.” He explained that the board would provide an integrated institutional platform to coordinate policy, investment, and performance across the entire value chain.
