By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Senate has urged the Federal Government to immediately place a ban on the importation of foreign textile materials as part of renewed efforts to revive Nigeria’s collapsed textile industry and strengthen local production capacity.
Lawmakers argued that restricting textile imports would stimulate domestic cotton farming, boost local manufacturing, and restore once-thriving industries across the country that have since shut down.
The resolution followed a motion seeking urgent intervention in the revival of the textile sector, with particular emphasis on the Kaduna–Kano industrial axis, which was previously a major hub of textile production in Nigeria.
Senators stressed that reviving the sector would not only enhance industrial output but also generate employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths, thereby reducing social restiveness and insecurity linked to joblessness.
As part of the proposals, the upper chamber called on the Federal Government through relevant ministries to intensify support for cotton cultivation, noting that a sustainable textile industry depends heavily on local raw material production.
Lawmakers also urged increased funding for the Bank of Industry (BoI), with a specific mandate to channel financial support toward struggling textile firms and potential investors in the sector.
The Senate further argued that Nigeria’s industrial decline in textiles could be reversed through coordinated policies that prioritise local production over imports, especially in areas where the country has comparative advantages.
The motion received broad legislative backing, with several senators co-sponsoring the initiative, reflecting growing concern over the collapse of once-vibrant manufacturing industries and its impact on the economy.
They maintained that a revitalised textile sector would contribute significantly to job creation, economic diversification, and reduced dependence on imported goods.
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