Nigerian Textiles in Sustainable National Development: Forces of Adversity

Abstract

Textiles had reportedly played a significant role in the development of Nigeria like in many other parts of the world. Historical studies confirmed that it flourished at both cottage and industrial levels and have improved the socio-economic structure of the country over the years. Subsequent trend showed a decline in the contribution of textiles to the development of Nigeria and resultantly, threatened its sustainability. Therefore, this paper identified and examined inadequate locally produced raw materials, inadequate manpower development, dependent foreign machinery, low patronage resulting from smuggled and low quality products and unfavourable enabling environment as factors responsible for this ugly development. The paper revealed that consistent production of sufficient local raw materials, adequate manpower development, improved technological know-how to encourage local fabrication of machineries and spare parts,curbing smuggling to reduce foreign imports and production of quality products to increase patronage and providing favourable enabling environment such as good roads, regular power supply, adequpate water supply and security of the environment are the solutions to the identified problems. The paper concludes that the textile sector will remain a very strong factor of contribution to the development of Nigeria as well as its sustainability if revitalised and given attention . Keywords: Textiles, Sustainable Ddevelopment, Nigeria, Economy, Industry. Journal Reference Format: Ajayi, J.B. (2024): Nigerian Textiles in Sustainable National Development: Forces of Adversity. Humanities, Management, Arts, Education & the Social Sciences Journal. Vol. 12. No. 2, Pp 1-8. www.isteams.net/humanitiesjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/HUMANITIES/V12N1P1