Nigeria’s textile import bill has climbed sharply as local manufacturers struggle with high production costs, weak infrastructure and shortages of raw materials, renewing debate over whether import restrictions can revive the industry.

Nigeria spent ₦1.08 trillion on textile imports in 2025, up 181 percent from ₦377.47 billion in 2023, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The increase has continued into 2026. Textile imports reached ₦267.7 billion in the first quarter, 153.2 percent higher than the ₦70.48 billion recorded in the same period of 2025. At the current pace, imports could approach ₦1.4 trillion by the end of the year.

The figures highlight the widening gap between domestic supply and demand as local textile manufacturers contend with expensive energy, foreign exchange pressures, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to finance.

Textile imports rose 92.4 percent to ₦726.18 billion in 2024 before increasing by another 46 percent in 2025. Meanwhile, exports have moved in the opposite direction, falling to ₦16.55 billion in 2025 from ₦36.98 billion in 2024.

The widening trade gap has intensified calls for stronger measures to protect local manufacturers.

In June, the Senate called on the Federal Government to impose a total ban on textile imports, arguing that imported products account for about 99 percent of Nigeria’s domestic textile market. It also called for large-scale cotton production, increased intervention funding through the Bank of Industry and stronger action against smuggling.

The proposed ban, however, has divided industry stakeholders.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria warned that restrictions would not be enough without addressing the underlying problems facing domestic producers.

MAN Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir said the government should first demonstrate stronger commitment to buying locally manufactured textiles and enforcing existing local content policies.

“For instance, are we going to enforce the patronage of made-in-Nigeria textiles within the government? When the National Assembly passed this resolution, how many of them were wearing made-in-Nigeria garments?” he said.

He called for the implementation of Executive Order 003 and the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy to ensure government institutions, including uniformed agencies and public schools, prioritise locally produced textiles.

The Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association, however, backed stronger protection for domestic producers, saying unchecked imports, smuggling and dumping had contributed to the closure of factories and loss of jobs.

NTMA Director-General Hamma Ali Kwajaffa said the association supported “comprehensive policy interventions aimed at reviving the industry and restoring its competitiveness”.

He said manufacturers also faced shortages of local cotton, high energy costs, insecurity, poor infrastructure and limited access to affordable finance.

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“The collapse of local cotton production has left manufacturers struggling to source inputs,” Kwajaffa said, calling for greater support for cotton farmers and efforts to rebuild the country’s textile value chain.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise took a different position, warning that an immediate import ban could hurt businesses that currently depend on imported fabrics.

CPPE Chief Executive Officer Muda Yusuf said the restrictions could disrupt Nigeria’s estimated ₦10 trillion garment, tailoring and fashion industry, as well as the ₦7 trillion furniture sector, while putting nearly 10 million jobs at risk.

He argued that many garment and fashion businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on imported materials because local manufacturers cannot currently provide enough products at the required quality, quantity and variety.

“The challenge confronting Nigeria’s textile industry is fundamentally one of competitiveness rather than import penetration,” Yusuf said.

He recommended rebuilding domestic cotton production, improving access to affordable finance, providing more reliable electricity, upgrading production technology, strengthening border controls and using government procurement to create demand for locally made textiles.

The conflicting positions point to the central challenge facing the industry. Nigeria needs to reduce its dependence on imported textiles and rebuild domestic manufacturing, but businesses that rely on imported materials also need access to affordable and reliable inputs.

With imports continuing to rise while textile exports remain weak, the industry’s revival may ultimately depend on whether Nigeria can address the cost, supply and infrastructure problems that have made locally produced textiles less competitive in the first place.

Meiza Nigeria