The Federal Government has voiced concerns over Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported textiles, revealing that the country spends approximately $6 billion annually on foreign fabrics. This reliance has significantly weakened the local textile industry, leading to massive job losses and economic stagnation.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, John Enoh, disclosed this during a visit to Sunflag Nigeria Ltd. in Lagos as part of a three-day industrial tour. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalising the textile sector, enhancing its value chain, and promoting locally made products to reduce import dependency.
“You would be surprised to know that we import $6 billion worth of textiles every year, indirectly employing 750,000 Chinese and Indian workers while our own industry struggles,” Enoh stated.
He further noted that neighbouring Benin Republic has developed a thriving textile industry catering to Nigerian consumers, worsening the country’s overreliance on imports.
Alok Bhardwaj, Managing Director of Sunflag Nigeria Ltd., warned that Nigeria’s textile workforce has plummeted from 250,000 employees in the 1980s to fewer than 10,000 today, crippling the industry’s value chain from cotton farming to garment production.
He also highlighted the growing threat of smuggled second-hand clothing, which has negatively affected around 1.5 million Nigerian tailors and further weakened local textile production.
“For Nigeria to achieve industrial growth, we must prioritise local production and create a level playing field for our manufacturers,” Bhardwaj stressed.
Enoh assured stakeholders that the Tinubu administration is committed to transforming the textile industry by implementing policies that support local production, curb smuggling, and attract investment.
“My visit here is to assure you that this government is dedicated to changing the situation,” he said. “We will work towards promoting made-in-Nigeria goods for sustainable industrial development.”
Credit: Nairametrics (Text Excluding Headline)
