TGTSSAN Nigeria: Textile Import Warning Issued Over Cheap Goods

• The Textile, Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN) has warned that cheap foreign textile imports and smuggling are weakening local manufacturing and threatening jobs.
• The association's communiqué, issued after its 2026 Industrial Relations Seminar, called for stronger government measures against unfair competition and illicit trade.
• China's imports to Nigeria surged by 16.09% to N5.92 trillion in Q2 2026, representing 41.02% of Nigeria's total imports during that period.
• TGTSSAN demanded subsidized improved BT cotton, mechanized farming equipment, and a 24-hour steady, cheaper electricity supply for manufacturers.
• The association also advised local manufacturers to diversify raw materials beyond pure cotton to include synthetic, batik, polymer, and fiber materials.

The Textile, Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN) has sounded a significant alarm regarding the unchecked influx of inexpensive foreign textile products into the country.

The Textile, Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN) has sounded a significant alarm regarding the unchecked influx of inexpensive foreign textile products into the country. This surge in Nigeria cheap textile imports is actively undermining local manufacturing capabilities and jeopardizing employment opportunities within the sector, according to the association.

In a communiqué released on Friday, following its 2026 Industrial Relations Seminar themed “National Socio-Economic Influence and Its Impact on the Manufacturing Sector,” TGTSSAN called for robust government intervention. The association urged the Federal Government to implement stronger measures designed to shield domestic manufacturers from the dual threats of Nigerian textile industry smuggling and unfair international competition. The communiqué, signed by Chairman Anthony Adabenege, highlighted that the textile and garment industry has endured a severe structural decline over many years, primarily due to the pervasive issue of cheap imported goods and illicit trade.

The association's warning underscores a critical economic challenge, asserting that the "uncontrolled influx of cheap foreign imports and smuggling weakened local capacity and cost our nation thousands of direct and indirect jobs." This situation is exacerbated by the increasing dominance of China in Nigeria’s import market.

Recent data from the second quarter of 2026 reveals a substantial increase in imports from China, which rose by 16.09 percent quarter-on-quarter to N5.92 trillion. During this period, China's imports constituted a significant 41.02 percent of Nigeria’s total imports, which amounted to N14.42 trillion. This figure far outpaced other major trading partners, with the United States supplying N1.01 trillion (6.97 percent) and India contributing N924.46 billion (6.41 percent) to Nigeria's import volume.

To counteract these adverse trends, TGTSSAN outlined several key demands for government action. The association emphasized the urgent need to address the high cost of energy and other operational challenges that erode the competitiveness of local manufacturers. Specifically, they called for all government agencies in the Power, Oil, and Gas sectors to ensure a 24-hour steady supply of electricity at a more affordable rate per kilowatt, describing reliable power as the "livewire for the sustainability of the textile industry."

Furthermore, TGTSSAN advocated for a review of existing electricity tariffs, deeming current rates excessively high for manufacturers. They requested concessions for manufacturing industries at a subsidized rate to help reduce overhead costs. On the agricultural front, the association pressed for the widespread availability of newly improved BT cotton varieties at subsidized rates, alongside mechanized farming equipment, to bolster domestic cotton production and attract investment across the textile value chain. These measures, alongside the government's push for domestic industrialization and Nigeria local content textile policy, are seen as crucial opportunities to revive the sector, potentially including stronger Nigerian customs textile enforcement and anti-dumping measures.

Beyond government intervention, TGTSSAN also provided strategic guidance for the industry itself. The association urged textile manufacturers to diversify their raw material base, moving beyond pure cotton to incorporate blends of synthetic, batik, polymer, and fiber materials. This diversification is recommended in response to evolving market trends and demands.

Additionally, the communiqué encouraged state governments and local investors to capitalize on ongoing reforms to rebuild textile industries nationwide. The association also called for increased funding for research and development initiatives within tertiary institutions, recognizing its importance for long-term industry growth and innovation. These collective efforts are seen as essential for the Nigerian textile industry to regain a competitive advantage in both domestic and export markets.

Lawyers advising textile importers or manufacturers in Nigeria should monitor government responses to these calls for stronger anti-smuggling measures and potential changes in import tariffs or local content requirements, to ensure client compliance and mitigate supply chain risks. This signals potential shifts in trade and customs policy affecting the sector.

Source: Original reporting via Tribune Online