By Jennete Ugo Anya
The federal government has renewed calls for the revival of Nigeria’s struggling textile and garment industry, warning that the country’s heavy dependence on imported clothing is draining billions of dollars annually and limiting the growth potential of one of its historically important manufacturing sectors.
Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed that Nigeria spends an estimated $6 billion every year on imported clothing, a development she attributed to years of weakened domestic production capacity, poor infrastructure and persistent trade malpractices.
The minister spoke in Abuja during the commissioning of a new garment factory and the unveiling of Modish, a fashion brand launched by indigenous textile company, Mo’Afrique.
Her remarks underscore growing concerns within policy circles over the state of Nigeria’s textile industry, once one of the country’s largest employers and a major contributor to industrial output.
According to Dr. Oduwole, the sector has faced intense pressure from a combination of high-volume low-cost imports, widespread smuggling and weak industrial support systems, all of which have made it difficult for local manufacturers to compete effectively.
“The Nigerian garment industry has long faced challenges. Between 2010 and 2025, it struggled with high-volume low-cost imports competing against a high-potential but underdeveloped local sector,” she said.
She revealed that more than 90 percent of widely used fabrics such as Ankara are currently imported, highlighting the scale of Nigeria’s dependence on foreign textile products despite the country’s large consumer market and rich cotton production potential.
“Nigeria spends approximately $6 billion annually on imported clothing, with over 90 percent of popular fabrics like Ankara imported. Smuggling, porous borders and limited infrastructure have further hampered domestic production,” she added.
The disclosure comes amid renewed efforts by the federal government to stimulate local manufacturing and position Nigeria as a competitive industrial player under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Oduwole said the government is committed to supporting investors and entrepreneurs willing to deepen domestic production and scale Nigerian-made products into regional and global markets.
Addressing the management of Mo’Afrique, she challenged the company to leverage its newly commissioned facility to expand beyond the domestic market and establish a strong export footprint across Africa.
“We expect you to have your garments all across Africa and the rest of the world using the African Continental Free Trade Area. This is what generates jobs, employment and the GDP,” she said.
The minister commended the company’s Founder and Creative Director, Omobolanle Olawale, for demonstrating confidence in Nigeria’s industrial future through significant investments in local garment manufacturing.
Industry experts have repeatedly argued that revitalising the textile and garment sector could create hundreds of thousands of jobs, particularly for women and young people, while reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports and strengthening non-oil exports.
Nigeria’s textile industry was once a major pillar of the manufacturing economy, employing large numbers of workers across cotton production, spinning, weaving, dyeing and garment production.
However, the sector has suffered decades of decline due to poor electricity supply, outdated machinery, limited access to finance, smuggling and competition from cheaper imported products.
For many stakeholders, the latest intervention by the federal government signals a recognition that reversing this decline is essential to broader industrialisation goals.
In her remarks, Olawale described the commissioning of the new factory and the launch of Modish as a defining moment not only for her company but for Nigeria’s garment industry as a whole.
She said the occasion represented the culmination of years of resilience, strategic investment and belief in the potential of local manufacturing.
“This is a historic occasion,” she said.
“The day is not just about unveiling a brand or opening a facility. It is about vision, resilience and the promise of a brighter future for Nigerian garment and clothing industry.”
The launch of the facility reflects a broader shift among some local entrepreneurs toward value-added manufacturing, moving beyond retail and design into scaled production.
Analysts say such investments could help Nigeria begin to reclaim lost ground if supported by consistent industrial policies, better border enforcement and improved infrastructure.
