Cheap imports, smuggling threaten Nigerian jobs, textile workers warn

The Textile, Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has expressed concerns over the influx of cheap foreign textile products and smuggling, which it warns is eroding local manufacturing capacity and threatening jobs in the sector. In a communiqué released following their 2026 Industrial Relations Seminar, the association urged the government to implement stronger measures to shield local manufacturers from unfair competition and smuggling.

They also requested the provision of subsidized BT cotton and mechanized farming equipment for farmers. The association pointed out that the textile industry has experienced a structural decline due to the influx of cheap imports and smuggling, leading to the loss of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. They noted that China is now the dominant player in Nigeria's import market, with its imports increasing by 16.09 percent quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of 2026, comprising 41.02 percent of Nigeria's total imports.

The association also highlighted the need for improved electricity supply and tariff concessions for the manufacturing sector to make local manufacturers more competitive. They advocated for the widespread availability of improved BT cotton and mechanized farming equipment to boost domestic production and attract investment in the textile value chain.

The association also proposed diversifying raw materials used by textile manufacturers and increasing funding for research and development in tertiary institutions.