Nigeria textile industry under threat from China fakes

MANUFACTURERS Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), has raised alarm over the systematic and deliberate destruction of the Nigerian textile industry and economy by unscrupulous Chinese their textile exporters and called on the Federal government to engage the Chinese government over the matter. MAN and NTMA lamented that the most serious problem afflicting the textile industry in Nigeria is the unabated influx of counterfeit textiles from China according to this article in Vanguard (Victor Ahiuma-Young).

Presenting the joint position of MAN and NTMA, Executive Secretary of NTMA, Mr. Paul Olarewaju alleged the counterfeited textile fabrics originate in China and specifically target and copy the trade marks of Nigerian textile manufacturers, ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ or ‘Made-as-Nigeria’ on the selvedge and even blatantly take SON/NIS markings to deliberately mislead consumers. According to Mr. Olarewaju, the markets in Kano, Ibadan, Onitsha and Lagos are flooded with smuggled textiles through nation’s land borders, particularly, Niger Republic which now occupy over 80% market share.

For more on the devastating effect of piracy in Nigeria click here.