Senate seeks ban on textile imports

The Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to ban the importation of all forms of textile materials into the country, stating that the move is necessary to revive the nation’s once-vibrant textile sector. The upper legislative chamber also urged the Nigeria Customs Service to increase surveillance across all borders to effectively check the activities […]

The Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to ban the importation of all forms of textile materials into the country, stating that the move is necessary to revive the nation’s once-vibrant textile sector.
The upper legislative chamber also urged the Nigeria Customs Service to increase surveillance across all borders to effectively check the activities of smugglers.
It called on the federal government to pay special attention to cotton cultivation as the fastest catalyst for resuscitating the industry.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung (Kaduna South) and co-sponsored by nine other lawmakers.
The motion highlighted the historical significance and economic potential of the textile sector, particularly along the Kaduna–Kano industrial corridor.
Presenting the motion, Senator Katung recalled that Nigeria’s first major textile mill was established in Kaduna in 1957, marking the beginning of a booming industry that quickly spread across the country.
However, the lawmaker lamented the steady decline of the sector, attributing it to poor infrastructure, a lack of investment, and inconsistent government policies.
“By 1997, many of these companies were barely functional, grappling with obsolete machinery and erratic electricity supply. By 2007, most had shut down entirely, leaving over 70,000 workers unemployed and industrial facilities abandoned,” Katung said.
The Senate expressed concern that Nigeria has now become a net importer of textiles, relying on foreign products to meet over 90 percent of local demand.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Adamu Aliero called for an outright ban on textile imports, insisting that any revival policy without an enforcement ban would fail.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that the sector fell victim to poorly thought-out, military-era decisions to submit to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) without proper safeguards.

He noted that even developed nations, like the United States, now set certain WTO rules aside to negotiate trade deals nation by nation.

Following the extensive deliberations, the Senate urged the federal government to enforce a total ban on the importation of foreign textile materials to protect local manufacturers.

It also called on the Ministries of Agriculture and Industry, Trade and Investment, to take urgent steps to rejuvenate textile production nationwide, with a special focus on historical hubs like Kaduna and Kano.

The lawmakers also directed the Nigeria Customs Service to strengthen border surveillance to curb smuggling and ensure strict tariff collection where applicable.