Nigeria’s industrial history is woven with the rise and fall of its textile sector, a story that begins with a landmark achievement in the country’s pre-independence era. For anyone interested in the foundational stones of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, the answer to “Which is the first textile company in Nigeria?” is a tale of regional ambition, foreign partnership, and the birth of modern industry.

The title of Nigeria’s first large-scale, modern textile mill belongs to Kaduna Textiles Limited (KTL). Established in Kaduna, the then-capital of the Northern Region, KTL began production in November 1957. This company wasn’t just a factory; it was a symbol of the Northern Regional Government’s deliberate push toward industrial development and a model for future manufacturing across the nation.

---

A Vision of the Sardauna

The driving force behind KTL’s establishment was the Premier of the Northern Region, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. He envisioned an industrial sector that would process the region’s vast cotton output locally, moving the economy beyond simply exporting raw materials. This vision of import substitution—manufacturing goods at home instead of importing them—was a cornerstone of early nation-building efforts.

The project was realized through a crucial partnership: the Northern Regional Government, acting through its development agencies, teamed up with the British textile firm, David Whitehead & Sons. This collaboration brought in the necessary capital, modern machinery, and technical expertise to establish a fully integrated textile mill capable of spinning, weaving, and finishing cloth. On November 22, 1957, the mill was officially opened, marking a new chapter in the country’s economic life.

---

Kaduna: The Textile Capital

The location of the first mill in Kaduna was no accident. The city served as a key hub with access to locally grown cotton and an existing rail network for transportation. The initial success of KTL immediately positioned Kaduna as the nation’s textile capital, attracting subsequent investments.

Following KTL’s lead, other major mills soon sprung up in the area, including the United Nigerian Textiles Limited (UNTL) and Arewa Textiles. By the 1970s and 1980s, the Nigerian textile industry had exploded, becoming the largest employer of labour after the Federal Government itself and ranking as one of the biggest in Africa. This flourishing sector created hundreds of thousands of jobs and provided a vibrant supply of fabrics for the local market and West African sub-region.

---

A Legacy of Ambition

While the Nigerian textile industry faced a severe decline starting in the late 1990s due to factors like smuggling, infrastructure deficits, and poor policy, the legacy of Kaduna Textiles Limited remains indelible. It set the precedent for industrialisation, proved the viability of large-scale manufacturing in Nigeria, and directly contributed to the massive economic growth of the post-independence years.

KTL’s story is a reminder of the country’s industrial potential and the significant role that visionary leadership, like that of the Sardauna, played in planting the seeds of modernity. Today, as efforts continue to revive the sector, the foundational step taken by Kaduna Textiles Limited in 1957 serves as an inspiration and a blueprint for a self-reliant economy.

To learn more about the early days of the industry, you can watch A History of Nigeria’s Textile Industry. This video provides context on the industrial environment in Nigeria during the 1960s, which followed the establishment of the first modern textile mill.