Textile manufacturers call for stronger trade protection to support local industry

The Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has reiterated its demand for stronger government action to shield the country’s textile sector from excessive imports, smuggling, and unfair foreign competition.

On a programme broadcast by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), NTMA Director‑General Dr. Hamma Ali Kwajaffa said the association has long advocated for decisive trade policies, including outright restrictions on textile imports, rather than modest tariff hikes that provide limited protection to local manufacturers.

Kwajaffa’s stance echoes recent Senate resolutions that urged the Federal Government to ban textile imports entirely, enforce local content requirements, and increase funding for the Bank of Industry (BoI) to back domestic production.

The director‑general expressed concern that unchecked importation, dumping of foreign goods, and widespread smuggling have crippled Nigeria’s textile industry, causing many mills to shut down and resulting in significant job losses.

He stated that NTMA supports comprehensive policy interventions to revive the sector and restore its competitiveness, emphasizing the need for stricter border controls and robust enforcement of trade regulations to curb the flow of cheap imported fabrics that undermine local producers.

However, Kwajaffa cautioned that import restrictions alone would not suffice. He identified several structural challenges that continue to impede local manufacturers, such as insufficient raw‑material supplies, high production costs, poor infrastructure, and insecurity.

"The collapse of local cotton production has left manufacturers struggling to source inputs," he said. "Government incentives, improved agricultural extension services, and support for cotton farmers are essential to rebuild the industry’s value chain."

Kwajaffa also highlighted the difficulty manufacturers face in obtaining affordable locally produced polyester and the burden of high energy costs, even though Nigeria is a major crude‑oil producer.

He added that insecurity in farming communities limits the ability of extension workers to support farmers, negatively affecting cotton yields and the availability of raw materials for the textile industry.

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