Nigeria’s textile imports have surged dramatically, rising by 297.8% over the past five years to reach N726.18 billion in 2024, up from N182.53 billion in 2020, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The NBS figures reveal a consistent annual increase:
- 2020: N182.5 billion
- 2021: N278.8 billion
- 2022: N365.5 billion
- 2023: N377.1 billion
- 2024: N726.18 billion
This sharp rise underscores Nigeria’s growing dependence on imported textiles despite the country’s rich cotton resources and potential for local production.
Calls for Urgent Reforms and Investment
Industrial investment expert Gagan Gupta, CEO of Arise Integrated Industrial Platform (ARISE IIP), emphasized the need for bold reforms and strategic infrastructure investments to revive Nigeria’s once-flourishing textile industry. Speaking recently on the theme “The Journey to Making Africa a Global Manufacturing Hub”, Gupta stressed that Nigeria, with its abundant cotton and large workforce, could build competitive textile value chains and position itself in the $10.3 billion global apparel export market.
“While Nigeria has the raw materials, a large labour force, and a growing consumer market, these advantages remain dormant due to the absence of a clear policy framework, infrastructural bottlenecks, and weak industrial systems,” Gupta stated.
Barriers to Growth
- Gupta highlighted several challenges stifling local industry:
- Inadequate access to funding and working capital
- Difficulty securing raw materials locally
- High foreign exchange costs inflating input prices
- Poor infrastructure and unreliable power supply
He warned that without a deliberate push to modernize production, improve transport networks, and provide financial access to manufacturers, Nigeria risks missing out on one of its most promising industrial sectors.
A Call to Action
Gupta concluded that for Nigeria to transform its textile and apparel industry, there must be a coordinated effort between public and private sectors, focused on:
- Long-term reforms
- Prioritizing value addition
- Supporting local enterprises
- Integrating the sector into regional and global value chains
“Transformation is possible when policy aligns with investment and targeted support,” Gupta added, urging Nigeria to shift from raw material exports to producing finished goods that can compete globally.
This warning and roadmap come as Nigeria faces a crucial decision point: continue on a path of import dependency or commit to the industrial revival of its textile sector.
