Nigeria’s textile sector is under increasing strain as the value of textile imports climbs to ₦565.96 billion in the first half of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This represents a 56.6% year-on-year jump, compared to ₦361.39 billion over the same period in 2024.
In Q2 alone, imports surged to ₦337.12 billion, nearly 84.3% more than the ₦182.95 billion recorded in the second quarter of last year.
Government Pledges and Policy Measures
Despite commitments from the federal government under its Cotton-Textile-Garment (CTG) programme, dependence on textiles from abroad remains stubbornly high. In April, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment committed to a drive to “localize up to US$4 billion of textile spending,” with the goal of stimulating economic growth, generating jobs, and strengthening domestic manufacturing.
Initiatives include:
- A national campaign urging government agencies and ministries to favour locally made garments, with Ogun State cited as a model.
- Collaboration with the Bank of Industry to supply financing and machinery to textile firms.
- Site inspections in Kaduna as part of efforts to revive closed textile facilities.
Industry Voices: Frustration and Urgent Calls
Manufacturers are increasingly voicing concerns that the influx of cheap imported fabrics is threatening their survival. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), described the situation as dire. “These products are virtually dumped … to overrun the domestic market,” he said. Local firms, he argues, simply cannot compete under such pressure.
Ajayi-Kadir also noted that Kaduna, once home to several textile factories operating under MAN, now has none. Cotton production has also taken a hit; farmers, he says, prefer exporting to supplying local mills because the domestic value chain is no longer competitive.
Potential Silver Linings
Some fashion sector players believe there may be a turning point. Bukola Ajani, President of the Association of Women in Fashion Tech, observed that the devaluation of the naira has made importing inputs significantly more expensive. This shift is nudging businesses toward local production where feasible. Also, foreign investors are beginning to view Nigeria’s low labour costs as an advantage.
The Path Forward: Balancing Protection and Growth
Industry stakeholders warn that without timely, well-conceived interventions, Nigeria’s textile industry risks collapse. They advocate for:
- More aggressive implementation of the CTG programme, with support for cotton farmers, ginneries, and mills.
- Thoughtful trade policy not outright bans, which may lead to smuggling, but tariff differentials, quotas, and incentives that make local production viable.
- A renewed focus on raw material sourcing domestically to reduce reliance on imports.
With over ₦500 billion spent on textile imports in just six months, Nigeria faces a critical crossroads. The data reveals not just a ballooning import bill, but a weakening domestic industry losing its competitive edge. If current trends continue unchecked, the textile sector a historic pillar of employment and manufacturing may move from life support to extinction. The government has repeatedly acknowledged the challenge. Now, decisive action will determine whether Nigeria can rebuild its textile strength or forever drift into reliance.
