The Senate has called for a complete ban on textile imports into Nigeria as part of renewed efforts to revive the country’s struggling textile industry, boost local manufacturing, and create employment opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
Lawmakers made the call during plenary while considering a motion on the urgent need to restore Nigeria’s textile sector to its former position as a major contributor to economic growth and job creation.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to implement policies aimed at reviving textile manufacturing companies across the country.
In addition, lawmakers advocated increased financial support for textile firms through the Bank of Industry, while calling for expanded cotton cultivation to strengthen the industry’s raw material supply chain and reduce dependence on imports.
Leading the debate, Senator Katung Marshall described the textile industry as one of Nigeria’s most important industrial sectors in previous decades, noting that it once served as one of the country’s largest employers of labour.
According to the lawmaker, Nigeria’s textile industry experienced significant growth following the establishment of the country’s first large-scale textile manufacturing plant in Kaduna in 1957. Government policies that restricted textile imports in the 1960s and 1970s attracted investors and encouraged the expansion of textile production nationwide.
At its peak, the sector reportedly operated about 167 textile mills across the country and provided direct employment for more than 500,000 Nigerians, making it the second-largest employer after the Federal Government.
Kaduna, widely regarded as Nigeria’s textile hub at the time, hosted several major textile companies that generated thousands of jobs and contributed significantly to economic activities.
However, the industry gradually declined due to a combination of challenges, including aging equipment, inadequate financing, poor power supply, and increased competition from imported textile products.
Lawmakers noted that the removal of restrictions on textile imports over the years contributed to the collapse of many local manufacturers, leading to widespread factory closures and the loss of thousands of jobs.
According to the Senate, imported textile products now dominate the domestic market, with a significant percentage originating from countries such as China, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
The lawmakers argued that revitalizing the textile industry would help tackle unemployment, reduce poverty, conserve foreign exchange, and stimulate industrial growth across the country.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to support measures aimed at reviving the cotton, textile, and garment value chain through import restrictions, improved access to funding, and policies that encourage local production.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, said the Senate would closely monitor the implementation of the resolutions to ensure meaningful progress in restoring the industry.
He expressed confidence that a revived textile sector could become a major driver of economic diversification, industrial development, and job creation for millions of Nigerians.
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