As 2025 draws to a close, the Nigerian textile and garment sector finds itself at a critical crossroads. At a high-profile cultural showcase in Abuja themed “Canvas of Culture: Ancestors Are Watching, GLAM Trad,” Nnamdi Daniel, CEO of CNDaniels Couture, issued a passionate plea to the Federal Government for an urgent policy overhaul to protect local artisans from extinction.
Despite being a sector with massive job-creation potential, the Nigerian textile industry is currently battling a “triple threat” of rampant smuggling, infrastructural decay, and the westernization of local fashion.
The Smuggling Crisis: “Stolen Designs, Inferior Quality”
One of the most pressing issues highlighted was the predatory behavior of foreign producers, particularly from China. Daniel revealed a disturbing trend:
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Intellectual Property Theft: Foreign entities are allegedly copying intricate indigenous Nigerian designs.
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Reproduction & Re-entry: These designs are mass-produced abroad using inferior materials and “dumped” back into the Nigerian market at prices local producers cannot match.
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Market Saturation: Because these smuggled goods are cheaper, they dominate the market, even though their durability and cultural authenticity are far below local standards.
The Infrastructure and Policy Gap
The industry continues to struggle with the high cost of doing business in Nigeria. Stakeholders pointed out that:
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Power Shortages: High reliance on generators inflates production costs, making locally made garments more expensive than imports.
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Raw Material Scarcity: While Nigeria has the potential for cotton production, current yields are insufficient to meet the needs of modern garment factories.
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Policy Incoherence: Current restrictions treat some essential imported fabrics as contraband, which inadvertently encourages smuggling rather than supporting local manufacturers.
Preserving Heritage: Adire, Akwete, and the British Council
Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining. Demand for authentic indigenous fabrics like Adire (Yoruba tie-and-dye) and Akwete (Igbo hand-woven textile) remains high. To promote these “rich Nigerian fabrics,” CNDaniels Couture announced a landmark partnership with the British Council set for early 2026.
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National Tour: The partnership will launch major showcases in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.
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Goal: To encourage the “consistent use of Nigerian fabrics” and remind a westernized generation of the beauty and meaning behind their cultural heritage.
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The “Glam Trad” Vision: A movement to ensure that African fashion isn’t just a costume for special events but a documented, explained, and daily expression of identity.
Industry Outlook: A $4 Billion Opportunity?
The government has recently expressed hopes of generating $4 billion annually from the cotton, textile, and garment (CTG) value chain. However, as industry leaders like Nnamdi Daniel argue, this target remains a dream unless there is a transparent, enforceable framework that reinvests textile levies back into local factories and provides single-digit interest loans for modernization.
