The Federal Government plans to end the importation of $6 billion worth of textiles annually from China and India, which creates jobs for 750,000 workers in those countries.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, pledged the government’s commitment to reviving the textile industry and its value chains, as well as promoting Made in Nigeria.
The minister, who is on three-day tour of industries in Lagos and Ogun state spoke yesterday.
Between 1985 and 1990, the Nigerian textile industry had 250,000 employees, with more than 250 companies, but the number of employees has dropped to about 10,000.
Enoh noted that President Tinubu Administration’s key agenda includes economic growth through manufacturing and job creation.
He recalled that years ago, the Nigerian textile industry competed almost fairly with the government in employment.
He commended the textile company for weathering the economic storm over the years.
‘When you say that about two million jobs can be created, that is a bit conservative, and when you talk about 300 containers coming into this country and not officially accounted for, that would be addressed.
‘The Benin Republic has a flourishing textile garment industry, and their target is the Nigerian market.
‘I have the immediate mandate, in terms of the programme of the ministry, to promote made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
‘My visit here is to assure you that this is a government that is going to, and is able to, change this situation of things’, the minister said.
Managing Director of Sunflag Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Alok Bhardwaj, said the company uses everything Nigerian in its production processes – from its people to cotton, wool, threads and yarns.
He noted that the industry, between 1985 to 1990, had 250,000 employees, with more than 250 companies producing textiles in Nigeria, and today, had dropped to close to 10,000 employees.
‘You would be surprised to know that we import $6 billion every year of textiles into Nigeria, and Nigerian consumers by doing that, employ 750, 000 Chinese and Indian workers in their countries to clothe ourselves’, he said.
Bhardwaj noted that threats facing the textile industry include the importation of second-hand clothing, which he said affects the tailoring end of the textile value chain.
According to him, close to 1.5 million Nigerian tailors are affected because of the amount of second-hand clothing coming into the country unabated.
He called for a level playing field that would put Nigerian goods first to uphold and protect the country’s manufacturing industry.
‘The employment of our people has a multiplying effect on the economy.
‘To achieve the growth targets of the government, it is very important that we employ our people to do our things for ourselves’, Bhardwaj said.
