Nigeria and India have intensified efforts to revive Nigeria’s
struggling textile industry through technology transfer, invest
ment partnerships, skills development, and deeper bilateral trade
cooperation.
Speaking at the Textile Meet/B2B Nigeria–India engagement held at
the Indian High Commission in Abuja, the Indian High Commissioner
to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, said both countries possessed
complementary strengths capable of transforming the textile sector
into a flagship area of economic cooperation.
Singh noted that despite longstanding economic ties between both
countries, textile trade remained below its full potential, stressing
that India was ready to support Nigeria’s textile revival agenda
through investments across the value chain.
“Nigeria’s textile revival programme offers opportunities for Indian
firms to establish ginning, spinning and processing facilities in
Nigeria’s cotton belts such as Katsina and Zamfara,” he said.
According to him, India could also provide “technology and skill
transfer with regard to modern looms, digital printing and dyeing
technology,” while Indian machinery manufacturers could supply
equipment backed by training and buy-back arrangements.
The envoy disclosed that India exported textiles and apparel worth
37.75 billion dollars in 2024–25, supplying more than 200 global
markets and accounting for 4.1 % of global textile trade.He explained
that Indian exports to Nigeria currently include cotton fabrics,
polyester-viscose blends, carpets, traditional wear fabrics,
affordable garments, and textile machinery.Singh, however,
observed that Indian textile products still faced limited access to
Nigeria’s market due to import restrictions, high logistics costs,
forex shortages, and competition from cheaper Asian suppliers.
“Statistics show that Nigeria’s total textile export in 2024 was at
25.69 million dollars, of which India’s share is merely five %,” he
said.
The High Commissioner said India was also interested in
collaborating with Nigeria’s fashion industry, which he valued at over 4.7 billion dollars.“Lagos Fashion Week and Arise Fashion Week
have placed Nigerian designers on the global map. Consumer
demand is huge and rising. Yet domestic production lags,” he stated.
He added that India was exploring possible collaboration between
India’s National Institute of Fashion Technology and the Nigerian
Fashion Institute in Lagos.
Singh further announced the launch of the India-Nigeria Bi-Monthly
Trade Webinar Series in partnership with the Abuja Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (ACCI), aimed at directly connecting
exporters and importers in both countries.
He also disclosed that the Indian government annually offers 250
fully-funded training slots under its Indian Technical and Economic
Cooperation programme, including textile-related courses covering
airfare, accommodation, and visas.
In his remarks, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, Emeka Obegolu, represented by the Director-General of
ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, described the textile industry as one of
Nigeria’s most promising but underutilised sectors.
“The textile sector was once a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial
economy, providing jobs, supporting livelihoods and contributing
significantly to GDP,” he said.
According to him, textiles represented “far more than fabric,”
describing the industry as a source of jobs, innovation, cultural
identity, and economic transformation.
He said ACCI remained committed to reviving Nigeria’s textile value
chain from cotton production to finished garments, while also
promoting “Made-in-Nigeria” fabrics, including Ankara, Adire, and
Aso-oke.
Obegolu said India’s expertise in textile machinery and
manufacturing technology offered Nigeria a pathway to bridge gaps
in industrial technology, facilitate capacity building, and expand
export access.
“We must move from dialogue to action, building concrete
partnerships that will deliver measurable outcomes,” he added.
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of
Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Jani
Ibrahim, said Nigeria’s textile crisis demanded urgent intervention
as rising imports continued to weaken domestic production.
Citing trade figures, Ibrahim said Nigeria imported textile products
worth about NG1.06 trillion in 2025, compared to NG726.18 billion in
2024 and NG377.47 billion in 2023.
“This is not a mere trade statistic; it is an urgent call to rebuild
productive capacity,” he said.
“Nigeria does not need a ceremonial partnership. We need a
production partnership.”