Stakeholders advocate repositioning to revive ailing apparel industry

By Bianca Iboma-Emefu 

Legal and Policy Lead, Council for International Africa Fashion Education, (CIAFE) Sinmisoluwa Adesanya has urged stakeholders in the clothing, textile and apparel sector to collaborate with other countries and access their expatriate in order to revive the ailing  apparel industry  in Nigeria,adding that it can boost GDP and reduced unemployment.

Adesanya disclosed this at a panel session during the 3-day Source Textile Apparel event, organized by Leonth Nigerian companies engaged in imports, distribution, marketing and manufacturing of textile products or excelling in any stage of textile value chain  attended the event. 

Adesanya said in every country, the main role of the government and parliament is to prioritise policies options and investments that can deliver the greatest benefit for each naira spent. 

Nigeria is diversifying its economy to boost non-oil revenue and is focused on strengthening its agricultural and manufacturing capacity, the textile sector offers tremendous opportunities.

“Examining the potential areas of investment in textile for possible development of mutually beneficial business ties. She recognised the immense potential of Africa as the home of the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries and the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Adesanya stated that Nigeria needs to develop its manufacturing hub, so we can tell our own African story and become the next destination for apparel source in West Africa, just like Ethiopia that is considered the horn of Africa, because it has a stable democracy and the fastest growing economy in Africa.  

“Ethiopia has an apparel manufacturing hub, Nigeria can actually partner with them to get their expatriate. We can get the expatriate but tell our story and implement it the way,that suit our culture and climate.

 Adesanya urged government to reduce the tarrif and review non tarrif policies because there are certain issues that affect designers. Government needs to boost the textile industry, which  is a huge contribution to economy. We need structure, the fashion  and textile industry have to collaborate to promote the culture of Africa. “We need to evolve, although certain issues affect Nigeria, we need a manufacturing plant and can collaborate with other countries to become a leading hub in West Africa.”