Nigeria’s domestic textile producers are facing mounting challenges following a sharp rise in textile imports, which have now reached N566 billion, according to recent trade data.
Industry stakeholders warn that the influx of foreign fabrics, particularly from Asian markets, is crippling local manufacturers, reducing their competitiveness, and threatening thousands of jobs across the value chain.
“The market is being flooded with cheaper imports, and our factories cannot keep up. Without urgent intervention, many producers may shut down,” a textile union representative lamented.
Analysts attribute the surge to weak border controls, limited access to affordable financing, and outdated machinery in local mills. They also stress that the government’s policies on import substitution have yet to make a significant impact in the sector.
Experts are calling for tighter regulation, stronger incentives for local producers, and targeted investment in modern technology to revive the industry and protect one of Nigeria’s oldest manufacturing sectors.
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