Nigerian think tank warns import ban could cost 10m jobs

A leading Nigerian economic think tank has warned that a proposed Senate resolution to ban textile fabric imports would severely damage the country's economy, disrupt major industries, and threaten millions of jobs. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) issued the caution in statements over the weekend, arguing that while reviving the domestic textile industry is a commendable goal, an import ban would create more problems than it solves.

The Senate adopted a resolution on June 9, 2026, calling on the federal government to impose a total ban on imported textile materials. The motion, sponsored by Senator Sunday Katung and titled "Urgent need to revive the textile industries in Nigeria," aimed to stimulate local manufacturing and cotton production, particularly in the Kaduna-Kano industrial corridor, to address unemployment and insecurity.

However, the CPPE, led by its Chief Executive Officer Dr. Muda Yusuf, contends the proposal overlooks the vast downstream industries that depend on imported fabrics. The organization estimates Nigeria's fashion, garment-making, and tailoring sector is worth about 10 trillion naira and supports roughly 10 million livelihoods,...