Nigeria’s textile production rises 45%, reducing import dependence

Nigeria’s textile production has increased by more than 45 per cent, reducing dependence on imported clothing and creating fresh opportunities for manufacturers.

Nigeria’s textile production has increased by more than 45 per cent, reducing dependence on imported clothing and creating fresh opportunities for manufacturers across the country. Experts said the growth reflected increased local investment, stronger patronage of Nigerian products and rising entrepreneurial interest among young people. They urged the Federal Government to sustain the momentum through modern production facilities, affordable financing, stable electricity and vocational training to enhance global competitiveness.

Economic and development expert Umar Salis described the increase in production as evidence of the resilience and creativity of Nigerian entrepreneurs despite prevailing economic challenges. According to Salis, Nigeria is steadily reversing years of dependence on imported garments by increasing domestic production of jerseys, trousers, jackets, suits, and T-shirts. “The progress recorded in the textile industry creates jobs, conserves foreign exchange and strengthens Nigeria’s manufacturing base. The government should provide industrial clusters, affordable credit, uninterrupted electricity and advanced production equipment, especially for young entrepreneurs. With the right support, Nigeria can become a leading textile and garment production hub in Africa,” Salis said.

Garment manufacturer Musa Ibrahim said growing demand for locally produced clothing had encouraged many small and medium-sized enterprises to expand production nationwide. He said stronger consumer confidence in Nigerian-made products had stimulated investment, increased employment and strengthened activities throughout the textile value chain. “We are producing quality jerseys, trousers, jackets, uniforms and corporate wear that compete favourably with imported products. Our major challenge remains access to modern machines, stable electricity and affordable financing,” Ibrahim said.

Fashion entrepreneur Aisha Muhammad described the development as a positive opportunity for women and young people seeking sustainable livelihoods through garment production. She said many women had established tailoring and garment businesses, creating income, expanding entrepreneurship and reducing unemployment in their communities. “The government should establish more vocational training centres, provide grants and subsidise modern sewing and textile equipment for young people. Empowering youth and women with the right facilities will increase production, reduce poverty and strengthen the nation’s economy,” Muhammed said.

The 45 percent increase in textile production is a rare bright spot in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. For decades, the textile industry has been in decline, crushed by cheap imports, smuggling and a lack of investment. The resurgence reflects a combination of factors: the ban on textile imports through land borders, the depreciation of the naira, which made imports more expensive, and a growing “buy Naija” sentiment among consumers. The challenge is sustaining the momentum. Without stable electricity, affordable financing and modern equipment, the industry could relapse.

This echoes the 1980s textile boom, when Nigeria was a regional hub for garment manufacturing. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a thriving industry brought down by policy inconsistency and smuggling. The lesson is that increases in production are fragile without a supportive policy environment.

The winners: Nigerian textile manufacturers, who are seeing increased demand; Nigerian workers, who are gaining employment; and the Nigerian economy, which is conserving foreign exchange. The losers: importers of foreign textiles, who are losing market share, and the Nigerian government, which must provide the infrastructure to sustain the growth.

Bottom Line: Textile production is up 45 percent. That is good news. The question is whether the government will provide the support to keep it growing.