Ireland backs Nigerian textile revival
Ireland has offered to collaborate with Nigeria on reviving the country’s textile manufacturing sector, with Irish Ambassador Peter Ryan highlighting shared cultural traditions and potential partnerships at the First Made-in-Nigeria Textile Summit held in Abuja. Ryan noted that Ireland maintained its fabric heritage through centuries of colonial occupation and suggested Nigeria could replicate this success by protecting indigenous designs and strengthening community production systems.
Dr. Lizzie Ben-Iheanacho, a member of the Central Working Committee of MiNT, warned that disappearing traditional textile knowledge threatens cultural identity and economic opportunities, as foreign manufacturers often replicate local patterns without providing benefits to originating communities. She recommended requiring schools to adopt locally produced uniforms as a catalyst for industry growth.
Police Wives Association President Elizabeth Egbetokun and other participants called for stronger border enforcement, cotton farmer support, and coordinated government action to restore an industry that once employed thousands across northern manufacturing centers.
