Nigeria’s textile production has climbed by more than 45 per cent, industry experts said, as stronger local demand and rising investment reduce the country’s dependence on imported clothing and open new opportunities for domestic manufacturers. Read Here
Economic and development expert Umar Salis said the increase reflects the resilience and creativity of Nigerian entrepreneurs despite ongoing economic challenges. He said the country is steadily reversing years of reliance on imported garments through higher domestic output of jerseys, trousers, jackets, suits and T-shirts.
Salis said the gains are creating jobs, conserving foreign exchange and strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing base. He called on the federal government to provide industrial clusters, affordable credit, uninterrupted electricity and advanced production equipment, particularly to support young entrepreneurs entering the sector. With the right backing, he said, Nigeria could become a leading textile and garment production hub in Africa.
Garment manufacturer Musa Ibrahim said growing demand for locally made clothing has encouraged small and medium-sized enterprises to expand production nationwide. He said increased consumer confidence in Nigerian-made products has spurred investment, added jobs and strengthened activity across the textile value chain.
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Ibrahim said producers are turning out jerseys, trousers, jackets, uniforms and corporate wear that compete favourably with imported alternatives. He identified access to modern machinery, stable electricity and affordable financing as the sector’s most pressing challenges.
Fashion entrepreneur Aisha Muhammad said the growth marks a positive opening for women and young people pursuing sustainable livelihoods in garment production. She said many women have established tailoring and garment businesses, generating income, expanding entrepreneurship and cutting unemployment in their communities.
Muhammad called for more vocational training centres, grants and subsidised sewing and textile equipment for young people, saying that empowering youth and women with the right facilities would raise production, reduce poverty and strengthen the broader economy.
The experts agreed that sustained investment in domestic textile production would accelerate industrialisation, expand exports, strengthen manufacturing and further cut Nigeria’s reliance on imported clothing. They said continued focus on reliable electricity, accessible finance, modern equipment and practical training remains essential to consolidating the sector’s gains.
The reported growth adds to a string of recent policy moves aimed at reviving Nigeria’s textile and garment industry, including calls from lawmakers for tighter import restrictions and broader industrial support measures. Analysts say the sector’s expansion could position Nigeria as a more competitive source of apparel manufacturing within West Africa, provided infrastructure and financing constraints are addressed.
For a country that has long imported the bulk of its clothing, the reported 45 per cent rise in domestic output marks one of the more significant shifts in the local garment sector in recent years. The trend echoes wider efforts across West Africa to build up local manufacturing capacity and reduce exposure to volatile import costs and currency pressures.