In a bold move aimed at reversing decades of industrial decline, the Senate on Tuesday called for an immediate ban on textile imports, arguing that Nigeria cannot continue to depend on foreign-made fabrics while its once-thriving textile industry lies in ruins.
The upper chamber said reviving domestic textile production has become an economic and national security imperative, warning that continued reliance on imported textiles is costing the country jobs, foreign exchange and opportunities for industrial growth.
The lawmakers consequently urged the Federal Government to adopt aggressive measures to restore the sector, including restricting textile imports, expanding cotton production and providing financial support to local manufacturers struggling to survive.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s textile industry, sponsored by Senator Katung Marshall and supported by nine other lawmakers.
Opening the debate, Katung described the collapse of the textile sector as one of Nigeria’s most painful industrial failures, recalling a period when textile factories served as major engines of economic growth and employment.
According to him, the industry flourished for decades under protective government policies that encouraged local production and attracted investors. At its peak, the sector operated about 167 textile mills and employed more than 500,000 Nigerians directly, making it the second-largest employer after the Federal Government.
He noted that Kaduna earned the reputation of Nigeria’s textile capital, hosting major manufacturing firms whose operations sustained thousands of workers and supported countless small businesses.
However, the senator lamented that poor infrastructure, inadequate financing, obsolete equipment and the influx of cheaper imported products gradually crippled the industry.
Katung argued that the decision to liberalise textile imports significantly worsened the sector’s fortunes, exposing local manufacturers to competition they were ill-equipped to withstand.
“Today, nearly 80 per cent of textiles consumed in Nigeria are imported from countries such as China, Indonesia and Taiwan,” he said. “This is not helping our economy, our workers or our foreign exchange position.”
The senator warned that unless urgent intervention is undertaken, Nigeria risks permanently losing an industry that once generated billions of dollars annually and positioned the country among Africa’s leading textile producers.
Following extensive deliberations, the Senate resolved to press for a comprehensive textile revival strategy that would combine import restrictions with incentives for domestic manufacturers.
Lawmakers also called for increased funding for the Bank of Industry to enable textile firms access affordable financing, while urging the Ministry of Agriculture to boost cotton production to support the industry’s raw material needs.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the National Assembly would closely monitor implementation of the resolutions, stressing that the revival of the textile sector could become a major catalyst for job creation and economic diversification.
For the Senate, the challenge goes beyond textiles. Lawmakers framed the debate as a broader test of Nigeria’s commitment to rebuilding local industries and reducing dependence on imports in a period of economic uncertainty.
If implemented, the proposed import ban would mark one of the most significant protectionist policy shifts in recent years, potentially reshaping the future of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.