The Federal Government has raised concern over Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported clothing, revealing that the country spends about $6 billion every year on foreign textiles despite its local production capacity.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olajumoke Oduwole, disclosed this in Abuja during a briefing with journalists, where she examined the persistent challenges undermining the nation’s textile sector.
She noted that the industry continues to struggle with weak infrastructure, high import dependency, and widespread trade malpractice, all of which have slowed down domestic manufacturing growth.
Oduwole also pointed to smuggling and porous borders as key factors weakening local producers, saying these issues have made it difficult for Nigerian textile firms to compete effectively.
She further stressed the extent of import reliance in the sector, stating that “over 90 percent of widely used fabrics, including Ankara, are imported into the country.”
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The minister made the remarks during the commissioning of a garment factory and the unveiling of a new fashion brand in Abuja, where she encouraged stakeholders in the industry to shift focus towards export-driven production.
She explained that government support would continue to be directed at boosting manufacturing capacity, expanding job creation, and strengthening overall economic output.
According to her, developing a competitive textile industry remains central to Nigeria’s broader industrialisation goals.
In a related comment, the founder of Mo’Afrique, Omobolanle Olawale, described the new factory and brand launch as an important milestone for Nigeria’s garment sector.
She said the investment signals growing confidence in local production and reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen the country’s textile value chain, adding that it represents a positive step toward industry growth and sustainability.