Nigeria Plans to Modernise 50% of Textile Capacity in Five Years Amid Rising Import Pressures

The Nigerian Government is considering an ambitious plan to modernise 50 per cent of the country’s operational textile capacity within the next five years, using state-of-the-art machinery as part of a broader industrial revitalisation agenda. The development was reported by Punch newspaper and comes on the heels of data showing a sharp rise in textile imports despite repeated government assurances of reviving the sector.

According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), imports of textiles and textile articles reached N228.83bn in Q1 2025, N337.12bn in Q2, and N248.32bn in Q3 — totalling N814.27bn in the first nine months of 2025. The surge has raised concerns about Nigeria’s deepening dependence on foreign fabrics and the continued deterioration of local manufacturing capacity.

Comprehensive Revival Strategy Under Consideration

The proposed modernisation push forms part of an internal government plan that includes:

• Tax incentives for textile manufacturers
• A national textile training institute to rebuild technical skills
• Single-digit interest loans to improve access to affordable finance
• Large-scale equipment upgrades across the industry

If executed, the plan would represent one of the most significant interventions in Nigeria’s textile sector in decades.

Also Read: Nigeria’s Garment and Footwear Industry Eyes Technology, Education and Investment Partnerships

Industry Operators Cite Longstanding Structural Failures

Industry stakeholders told Punch that the import spike reflects deeper systemic issues, including policy inconsistencies, poor implementation of credit schemes, limited access to capital, abandoned reforms, insecurity affecting cotton farming, and Nigeria’s inability to scale domestic polyester production — despite being a major oil-producing nation.

NTMA Welcomes Shift Toward Actionable Measures

Reacting to the government’s proposed agenda, Hamma Kwajaffa, Director-General of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), described the plans as a long-awaited and encouraging step forward.

“The actionable plans under the recommendation are excellent,” he said. “Had we known that things were happening like this, I would have just told you that something was going on, but because it was not put on paper, these plans could not quickly reduce the textile import surge.”

Kwajaffa added that clear documentation and concrete timelines were essential for reversing the industry’s decline and restoring investor confidence.

Conclusion Outlook

With textile imports rising and local factories operating far below capacity, the proposed modernisation plan signals a renewed effort by the government to rebuild one of Nigeria’s historically significant industries. Whether the ambitious targets are met will depend on sustained policy coordination, funding execution, and the ability to overcome long-standing structural challenges.