By Yinka Kolawole
The value of textile materials imported into Nigeria rose by 17 per cent year-on-year, YoY, to N267.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1’26), highlighting the country’s continued reliance on imported textile products despite efforts to revive local production.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, showed that textile imports increased from N228.83 billion in Q1’25. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, imports also rose by 8.94 per cent from N245.73 billion recorded in Q4’25.
The development comes amid renewed calls to revive Nigeria’s struggling textile industry following a Senate resolution urging the Federal Government (FG) to ban textile imports and promote local manufacturing.
However, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has urged the Federal Government to tread cautiously, warning that a blanket import ban without adequate preparation could undermine the intended objective.
Speaking in a television interview, Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said Nigeria has the capacity to meet a significant portion of its textile needs, but stressed that reviving the sector requires more than legislative resolutions.
According to him, the government must first demonstrate commitment to patronising locally produced textiles and fully enforce policies that encourage the use of made-in-Nigeria products.
“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 asked.
Ajayi-Kadir noted that any import ban should be accompanied by diligent implementation of Executive Order 003 and a broader “Nigeria First” policy that prioritises local products across government institutions, including the Presidency, National Assembly, military, uniformed agencies and schools.
