Reps ask FG to consider ban on second-hand clothes imports

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to consider banning the importation of second-hand clothes as part of measures to revive Nigeria’s textile industry and create jobs for young Nigerians.

The resolution was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Billy Osawaru, representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State.

Osawaru said reviving the textile industry, particularly in Kaduna and other parts of the country, would boost employment and help tackle insecurity and youth restiveness.

He recalled that Nigeria had more than 160 textile mills between the 1970s and 1990s, with Kaduna serving as a major textile hub.

According to the lawmaker, unemployment and limited economic opportunities have contributed to insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, cultism, killings and other forms of youth restiveness.

Citing examples from Vietnam, Bangladesh and Ethiopia, Osawaru said targeted investment in critical sectors had helped those countries reduce youth restiveness while creating millions of jobs.

He also cited a report by SBM Intelligence which recorded more than 10,000 deaths and 7,500 kidnappings in over 1,700 security incidents in Nigeria as of 2024.

Osawaru identified agriculture, manufacturing, textiles and solid minerals as sectors capable of generating significant employment but said they remained largely underdeveloped.

He further disclosed that post-harvest losses had exceeded 40 per cent due to inadequate storage and processing facilities, while insecurity had restricted farmers’ access to their farmlands.

The lawmaker called for the establishment of modern storage facilities and agro-processing clusters across the six geopolitical zones within 12 to 24 months.

He also proposed a manufacturing revival fund in collaboration with the Bank of Industry and the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide low-interest financing to small and medium-sized enterprises, with emphasis on local sourcing and youth employment.

The motion was unanimously adopted after Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, subjected it to a voice vote.

Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to urgently revive textile industries in Kaduna and other states to create employment opportunities and address youth restiveness.

The lawmakers also asked the government to consider banning the importation of used clothing and promote the patronage of locally made clothes, including school uniforms, security agency uniforms and NYSC uniforms.

In 2025, Kenya overtook Nigeria as Africa’s largest importer of second-hand clothes.