Nigeria imported textiles and textile articles worth N565.96bn in the first half of 2025, according to the latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The sharp rise has alarmed industry stakeholders, who warn that the surge in imports continues to cripple local textile manufacturing and erode jobs in the sector. The NBS report shows that textile imports jumped 56.6 per cent year-on-year, compared to N361.39bn in the first half of 2024.
In the second quarter of 2025 alone, imports hit N337.12bn, representing an 84.27 per cent rise from N182.95bn recorded in the same period of 2024.
The latest data extends an upward trend. In 2024, Nigeria imported N726.18bn worth of textiles, nearly doubling the N377.47bn recorded in 2023.
Despite government promises under the Cotton-Textile-Garment (CTG) programme, aimed at reviving local production, the country’s import dependence shows no signs of abating. In April, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment announced an initiative to localise up to $4bn in textile import spending to foster growth, create jobs, and boost domestic capacity.
Stakeholders, however, argue that without stronger enforcement of trade policies and robust investment in the local textile value chain, Nigeria risks deepening its dependence on foreign fabrics at the expense of homegrown industries.
