Fashion Stylist Warns Of Foreign Clothing Surge, Urges Govt To Revive Nigeria’s Textile Sector
LAGOS — The Managing Director of Zara Eniola Limited, Zara Eniola Oladega, has raised concerns over the growing dominance of foreign clothing in Nigeria’s textile market, warning that the trend is worsening job losses and weakening the nation’s economy.
Speaking to journalists, Oladega said imported garments have gained significant ground due to Nigeria’s struggle to build a strong, large-scale textile and garment industry.
According to her, persistent challenges such as unreliable power supply, high production costs, and limited access to modern manufacturing equipment have made local production expensive and less competitive.
She explained that many foreign producers benefit from advanced technology, efficient systems, and large-scale operations, enabling them to sell clothing at prices Nigerian manufacturers find difficult to match.
Oladega also highlighted the role of consumer perception, noting that imported clothing is often viewed as superior in quality and style, even when that is not necessarily true.
She added that the widespread availability of cheap second-hand clothing continues to undermine local producers.
To address these issues, she called on the government to take urgent steps to revive the textile and garment sector.
This includes improving infrastructure, reducing production costs, and providing incentives to local manufacturers.
She further recommended stricter border controls and better regulation of second-hand clothing imports to create a more level playing field for Nigerian businesses.
On the industry side, Oladega emphasized the need for innovation and investment in modern technology, as well as increased use of locally sourced raw materials.
She stressed that producing high-quality, culturally relevant designs will help rebuild consumer trust in Nigerian-made fashion.
She also encouraged stakeholders to promote a “Buy Nigerian” mindset through awareness campaigns and collaboration within the fashion industry.
Oladega concluded that Nigeria has the creativity, talent, and market potential to build a globally competitive fashion industry, if the right support systems are put in place.
