By Charles Pemu 
KADUNA — Former Edo State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has made a passionate call for the urgent revival of Nigeria’s textile industry, describing it as a “sleeping giant” capable of generating over 20 million jobs and providing the much-needed stimulus to rescue the nation’s economy.
Oshiomhole, speaking at the 37th Annual National Education Conference of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) in Kaduna, urged President Bola Tinubu to make local textile production a national priority.
The former labour leader lamented the total collapse of the sector, which was once a major employer, blaming its demise on reckless trade liberalization, widespread smuggling, and poor policy enforcement that turned Nigeria into a “dumping ground for foreign fabrics.”
“The World Trade Organization agreements have de-industrialized Nigeria. We must produce locally to create jobs and build national pride,” Oshiomhole stated.
To jumpstart the revival, Oshiomhole challenged the Federal Government to strictly enforce a “Nigeria First” policy by ensuring that all uniforms for security agencies (military, police, etc.), schools, and hospitals are produced and sewn locally. He argued that such a policy would not only boost local industries but also conserve foreign exchange and strengthen the Naira.
Oshiomhole linked the collapse of industries directly to the nation’s rising insecurity, emphasizing that unemployment fuels crime. “Every idle hand is a potential recruit for insecurity. Industrial revival will restore stability,” he noted.
Union Honours Oshiomhole
The event was also marked by a tribute to Oshiomhole, who once served as the General Secretary of the textile union. The National Secretariat of the NUTGTWN was officially renamed the Adams Oshiomhole Textile Labour House in his honour.
During the event, industry leaders, including Dr. Hamman Kwajaffa of the Nigerian Textile, Garment and Tailoring Employers’ Association (NTGTEA), and Comrade Peters Godonu, President of NUTGTWN, hailed Oshiomhole as a visionary leader.
The conference concluded with the launch of an Education Endowment Fund and the commissioning of a Tailoring Hub, aimed at promoting skills acquisition and youth empowerment within the sector.
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