CPPE Warns Textile Import Ban Could Threaten 10 Million Jobs

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has cautioned against the Senate’s proposal to ban the importation of textile fabrics, warning that such a policy could disrupt Nigeria’s fashion and garment industry and threaten the livelihoods of an estimated 10 million Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chief Executive Officer of the CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said that although reviving Nigeria’s textile manufacturing sector is desirable, imposing an outright import ban would likely create unintended economic consequences across industries that depend on textile materials.

According to the economic policy advocacy group, textile fabrics serve as critical raw materials for several downstream industries, particularly fashion design, tailoring and garment manufacturing, making any restriction on imports potentially harmful to businesses.

“The fashion, garment-making and tailoring industry is substantially larger than the textile manufacturing segment,” Yusuf said.

He noted that the industry, conservatively valued at about ₦10 trillion, provides livelihoods for an estimated 10 million Nigerians and remains one of the country’s most vibrant contributors to the creative economy.

The CPPE warned that banning textile imports would increase production costs, reduce consumer choice and threaten thousands of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating within the fashion value chain.

It also noted that textile materials are indispensable to Nigeria’s furniture and interior decoration industry, estimated to be worth about ₦7 trillion, adding that disruptions in supply would weaken the competitiveness of the sector.

The group argued that government policies should protect the entire value chain rather than focus solely on textile manufacturing.

According to the CPPE, significant domestic value is created through activities such as fashion design, tailoring, embroidery, branding, merchandising and retailing, all of which depend on access to quality textile materials.

Instead of banning imports, the organisation urged the Federal Government to adopt policies that improve the competitiveness of local textile manufacturers while supporting downstream industries.

Among its recommendations is a directive requiring military, paramilitary agencies, schools and other public institutions to prioritise locally produced textiles and garments for uniforms.

The CPPE also proposed the establishment of a Textile Competitiveness Fund, financed partly through textile-related import taxes, to provide manufacturers with single-digit financing for technology upgrades and industry modernisation.

It further called for the revival of cotton production through improved seedlings, mechanised farming, enhanced extension services, better security for farmers and guaranteed off-take arrangements.

Other recommendations include stronger border enforcement to curb smuggling, improved infrastructure, lower energy costs and cheaper access to finance for manufacturers.

According to the group, these reforms would provide more sustainable support for Nigeria’s textile industry than an outright prohibition on imports.

The CPPE’s intervention comes amid growing debate over the future of Nigeria’s textile sector following the Senate’s recent call for a total ban on textile imports as part of efforts to revive local manufacturing, create jobs and boost government revenue.

The upper legislative chamber also urged the Federal Government to increase funding for the Bank of Industry (BOI) to support the revival of the textile industry.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that Nigeria imported textile and textile-related products worth ₦1.06 trillion in 2025, underscoring the country’s heavy reliance on imported fabrics.

While acknowledging the need to rebuild the once-thriving textile industry, the CPPE maintained that strengthening the entire value chain from cotton production to garment manufacturing would deliver greater long-term economic benefits than restricting imports.