In a renewed push to revitalize Nigeria’s struggling textile industry, the Federal Government has begun a strategic tour of major textile hubs in Kaduna State, starting with visits to United Nigerian Textiles Limited (UNTL) and Chellco Industries.
The inspection tour was led by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, accompanied by the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi.
The initiative is part of the federal government’s broader agenda to rejuvenate the cotton, textile, and garment (CTG) value chain and boost job creation across the sector.
At UNTL—one of Nigeria’s oldest textile firms—the delegation was received by the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the company, His Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
The Emir expressed concern over the factory’s shutdown in 2022, attributing it to prevailing economic challenges. At its peak, UNTL employed over 10,000 Nigerians.
“The UNTL complex once symbolized Nigeria’s industrial prowess. Its collapse is not just a loss for Kaduna, but a stark reflection of the wider issues facing our manufacturing sector,” Sanusi remarked.
The delegation also visited Chellco Industries, one of the few textile companies in Kaduna that have remained in continuous operation since 1980. Senator Enoh commended the management for its resilience and dedication despite decades of economic headwinds.
“Chellco’s determination to remain operational, retain over 290 employees, and sustain production is a shining example of private-sector perseverance,” the minister said. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting such enterprises through policy reforms, financial interventions, and expanded market access.
The tour is expected to pave the way for concrete measures to restore the textile industry to its former glory and reposition it as a major employer within Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
More photos below.
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