Textile Imports Surge To N1.1trn As Nigerian Manufacturers Seek Stronger Protection

Nigeria’s textile industry is facing renewed pressure as the country’s reliance on imported fabrics continues to rise, with textile imports jumping by 181 per cent in two years to N1.08 trillion in 2025, from N377.47 billion in 2023.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also showed that the upward trend continued in 2026. Textile imports reached N267.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 153.2 per cent increase from the N70.48 billion recorded in Q1 2025.

The surge has heightened concerns over the declining competitiveness of local textile manufacturers, who continue to grapple with high production costs, unreliable electricity, foreign exchange pressures and other structural challenges.

Imports Continue To Rise

NBS figures showed that textile imports increased by 92.4 per cent in 2024, reaching N726.18 billion from N377.47 billion in 2023.

The figure climbed further by 46 per cent in 2025 to N1.08 trillion.

Industry projections suggest that textile imports could reach about N1.4 trillion by the end of 2026 if the current trend continues.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s textile exports have moved in the opposite direction.

Exports fell to N16.55 billion in 2025 from N18.76 billion in 2023 and declined by about 55 per cent from the N36.98 billion recorded in 2024.

The widening disparity between imports and exports has renewed concerns about the country’s shrinking domestic textile manufacturing capacity.

Senate Pushes For Import Ban

The worsening situation prompted the Senate in June 2026 to call on the Federal Government to impose a total ban on textile imports.

The move is aimed at reviving textile mills, particularly along the historic Kaduna-Kano industrial corridor, while rebuilding Nigeria’s domestic textile value chain.

The Senate also urged the government to promote large-scale cotton production, increase intervention funding through the Bank of Industry and strengthen efforts to combat textile smuggling.

According to lawmakers, imported textiles currently account for about 99 per cent of the domestic market.

MAN Opposes Blanket Ban

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), however, has cautioned against imposing a blanket ban without first addressing the problems limiting local production.

MAN Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said Nigeria has the capacity to meet a significant portion of domestic textile demand but stressed that legislation alone would not revive the sector.

He argued that the government must first demonstrate its commitment to purchasing locally manufactured textiles and enforce existing local-content policies.

Ajayi-Kadir questioned whether government institutions were adequately patronising locally produced fabrics despite calls for greater local production.

He said any restriction on imports should be accompanied by effective implementation of Executive Order 003 and the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy.

Local Patronage Key To Revival

According to MAN, government institutions, including the Presidency, National Assembly, military, paramilitary agencies, uniformed organisations and public schools, should prioritise locally manufactured textiles.

The association maintained that without guaranteed local patronage, improved competitiveness and consistent government policies, an import ban could fail to achieve its intended purpose.

Stakeholders therefore believe that reviving Nigeria’s textile industry will require more than restricting imports. They say investment in power, access to affordable finance, cotton production, modern manufacturing equipment and stronger anti-smuggling measures will be crucial to making local textile producers competitive.