Nigeria’s Textile Imports Hit N565.96bn in H1 2025, Stakeholders Warn of Looming Industry Collapse Despite Government Revival Efforts
Nigeria imported textiles and textile articles worth N565.96 billion in the first half of 2025, according to new figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The sharp surge in textile imports has triggered alarm among industry stakeholders, who warn that unchecked reliance on foreign textiles is undermining local manufacturing, destroying jobs, and threatening the survival of the nation’s once-thriving textile industry.
Data from NBS shows that imports rose 56.6 percent year-on-year, up from N361.39 billion in the same period of 2024. In Q2 alone, Nigeria imported N337.12 billion worth of textiles, representing an 84.27 percent jump compared to N182.95 billion in Q2 2024.
The trend is not new. In 2024, Nigeria recorded N726.18 billion in textile imports, nearly doubling the N377.47 billion spent in 2023.
Despite repeated government assurances under the Cotton-Textile-Garment (CTG) programme, foreign textiles continue to dominate the Nigerian market. In April, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment announced a plan to localize up to $4 billion in textile spending, create jobs, and stimulate domestic manufacturing. Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized efforts to launch a nationwide “Buy Nigerian Garments” campaign, citing Ogun State as a model. The government also pledged collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to fund and equip textile firms.
By August, officials had conducted site visits in Kaduna to assess revival progress. Yet, industry voices insist results remain minimal as imports continue to surge.
In an interview, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), described the situation as dire:
“The textile industry has had its downturn, and to the best of my knowledge, there has not been much progress in terms of the core textile functions that will give you value for your investment.”
He argued that an influx of cheap imported finished textiles—many of which are dumped products—is crippling local producers who cannot compete in Nigeria’s harsh operating environment. Ajayi-Kadir recalled that Kaduna once hosted six major textile factories, but none are operational today. Even cotton farming, he noted, has been weakened as farmers prefer to export rather than supply local mills.
Stakeholders are now urging the Federal Government to fast-track the revival of the CTG programme, support cotton farmers, modernize ginneries, and reopen closed factories. Ajayi-Kadir, however, advised against an outright ban on imports, recommending instead balanced tariff and quota systems to protect local producers without fueling smuggling.
Meanwhile, some in the fashion industry see opportunities amid the crisis. Bukola Ajani, President of the Association of Women in Fashion Tech, noted that the naira’s devaluation has pushed more designers to embrace local production.
“The devaluation of the naira helped us. Before, people went to China or Turkey for production. Now, the cost of importing is too high. It’s better to produce locally. Nigerians are looking inward, and even foreigners are exploring the cheap labour here.”
Once a major employer in northern Nigeria, the textile industry has been crippled by decades of policy inconsistency, smuggling, and infrastructure bottlenecks. While the government insists on prioritizing revival, the soaring import bill paints a different reality.
Experts caution that unless urgent and decisive action is taken, Nigeria risks permanently losing a strategic industry with the potential to create millions of jobs.
As Ajayi-Kadir concluded: “Textile manufacturing has the potential to create millions of jobs if properly supported. But if imports continue at this pace, our industry will remain on life support.”
With over half a trillion naira spent on textile imports in just six months, policymakers face a stark choice: continue fueling dependence on imports that erode foreign reserves or build a competitive local textile industry capable of meeting Nigeria’s rising demand.
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