The Director General (DG) of Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Hamma Kwajaffa has disclosed that the country currently spends over $4 billion annually on importing textiles and readymade clothing, despite the government’s intention to revive the textile sector in recent times. Textiles used to be Nigeria’s foremost industry and the second largest employer after the government. Then it used to use indigenous raw materials such as cotton.
Kwajaffa is of the opinion that Nigeria has the potential to produce textiles for the local market of 170 million people. It also exports textiles to the ECOWAS market of 175 million people as well as to the developed world such as the United States under AGOA and EU GSP scheme which Kenya, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar and a number of African countries are already exploiting. The prevailing unprecedented harsh environment has undoubtedly dealt a serious blow to the already fragile industry. He said unless urgent steps are taken by the government to address key issues raised by the industry, the ray of hope that had arisen from the recent government initiatives may be lost.
Influx of smuggled goods continues to flood major textile markets. It not only undermines the local industry but also steals their jobs and importantly deprives government of revenue.
