Nigeria TV Info – Importation of textile products into Nigeria surged by 297.8% in five years, hitting ₦726.18 billion in 2024 from ₦182.53 billion in 2020, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Imports rose yearly: ₦278.8bn in 2021, ₦365.5bn in 2022, and ₦377.1bn in 2023.

Despite this spike, Gagan Gupta, CEO of Arise Integrated Industrial Platform, says Nigeria’s textile industry can be revived with bold reforms and infrastructure investment. Speaking on “The Journey to Making Africa a Global Manufacturing Hub,” he noted that Nigeria has the raw materials, labour, and demand to become a key player in the $10.3bn global apparel export market.

However, he warned that without urgent action, the country risks missing out. Gupta pointed to funding challenges, difficulty accessing raw materials, and high forex costs inflating machinery prices, as key obstacles. He urged clear policies and improved infrastructure to unlock Nigeria’s potential.