Nigeria’s textile imports skyrocketed by 297.8% over five years, reaching N726.18 billion in 2024 from N182.53 billion in 2020, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The steady rise—N278.8 billion in 2021, N365.5 billion in 2022, and N377.1 billion in 2023—highlights the country’s growing reliance on foreign textile products.
Gagan Gupta, CEO of Arise Integrated Industrial Platform (ARISE IIP), has called for urgent reforms to revive Nigeria’s struggling textile sector. Speaking on the potential for Africa to become a global manufacturing hub, Gupta emphasized that Nigeria, with its abundant cotton and large workforce, could tap into the $10.3 billion global apparel export market. He argued that strategic investments and policy changes could transform the industry into a competitive force.
Gupta identified key challenges, including limited access to funding, high foreign exchange costs for imported materials and machinery, and inadequate infrastructure. “Nigeria has the raw materials and market potential, but without modernized facilities, reliable power, improved transport, and financial support, we’ll keep importing what we could export,” he stated.
He urged a coordinated effort between the government and private sector to modernize production, enhance transport networks, and ensure steady power supply. Gupta also stressed the need for policies that promote value addition and integrate Nigeria’s textile industry into global value chains. Without these reforms, he warned, Nigeria risks missing a critical opportunity to boost its economy and reduce import dependency.
The call for action comes as Nigeria’s textile industry, once a vibrant economic driver, continues to decline. Gupta advocated for long-term strategies to support local businesses and reverse the trend of exporting raw materials while importing finished goods. By aligning policy with targeted investments, Nigeria could reclaim its position as a textile powerhouse, fostering job creation and economic growth.
