Cheap imported fabrics, power cuts and a rise in production costs are making it difficult for Nigerian textile traders. Working capital will assist in the retooling of operational textile mills, as well as resuscitate about 80 closed mills and 23 ginneries that have been shut down across the country. Although several factories have benefited from government intervention to revive the country’s textile industry, manufacturers say monetary support alone will not fix the problem.

Electricity supply is below 20 per cent and the business environment is not really good enough for Nigerian products to compete with Chinese imports. Since manufacturers cannot produce enough material, this means textile traders down the line must rely on imports, much of which is smuggled.

At the same time, importers have tightened the supply chain, insisting on upfront payment since the local currency was devalued. In the face of stiff Asian competition, manufacturers are asking for government protection. Until such interventions happen, more traders and manufacturers will be at the mercy of Asian suppliers.

Experts have emphasised the need for improvement of cotton production through financial support for the Institute for Agricultural Research and have recommended financial support for the National Biotechnology Development Agency to enable it to deploy biotechnologically improved cotton at confined fields at trial levels.