Nigeria looks at strengthening ties with Indian textile industry

A 12-member delegation, on a week’s study tour to India, is holding discussions with the textile industry in some of the textile hubs to learn more about the best practices adopted across the textile value chain.

This was confirmed by Muhammad Bala, Deputy Director of Industrial Development Department, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Nigeria, and Navdeep S. Sodhi, Partner, Gherzi Textil Organisation.

The delegates also had a meeting with Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) and with South India Textile Research Association, apart from visiting some of the textile industries and institutions.

Nigeria has 84 million square kilometre of fertile land, with nearly 1 million square kilometre under cotton cultivation, according to one of the delegates.

However, the textile industry in Nigeria, which was once a thriving sector, is facing challenges because of the import of garments at low prices.

Sodhi, said “influx of low cost Chinese garments through the unorganised route undermines the local industry.” Bala added that the Nigeria Government was trying to address it.

It is to be noted that the Indian investment in Nigeria’s textile sector is one of the highest.

India’s textile and garment exports were worth US $ 44 billion in 2021-2022 and are expected to touch US $ 100 billion by 2030, said K. Selvaraju, Secretary General of SIMA.

Explaining details of cotton cultivation in south India and textile industry’s growth, he said the industry is willing for better cooperation with Nigeria.