Fashion in Nigeria has always been diverse, reflecting its many ethnic groups, religion and cultures. Recently Nigerian fashion industry has developed more participants, exposure, presence and training. Now you see more urban and cosmopolitan outfits.
The Nigerian fashion industry goes way back but we are not seeing a global growth and patronage and still see most people shopping the international brands than the made in Nigeria brands.
Even with the advent of the #buynigeriatogrowthenaira movement people are still not really into made in Nigeria products.
But as at early 2016 there has been an increased demand for Nigerian fashion and more Nigerians seem more interested in shopping locally.
Before we go into the reasons why you should shop Nigerian brands lets highlight some reasons why Nigerians would rather shop international brands;
Finishing and paying attention to details, outrageous price, lack of originality, not customer centric.
At the fabric hub these are the gaps we are trying to fill and Excellent Customer Service is our mantra.
Recently the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has launched a ‘Wear Nigerian’ campaign in a bid to support local designers. She said the government’s disastrous economic policy is the reason for the decline in the country’s currency, but she saw the “buy Nigerian to grow the naira” as a “silver lining”. Our economic policies has to be reviewed and SMEs and startups has to be put into consideration when making policies.
Cost of production is really high and this is as a result of importing most of the raw materials, lack of power, lack of easy access to funds/loan. The government needs to consider reviving the textile mills as the Nigerian creative industry is a powerful source of revenue for the country, the sector needs to see more investment as we have so many talented and creative craftsmen in the country. Nigeria fashion industry has created countless entrepreneurs and has improved the economy by creating jobs and new enterprise.
Some of the Reasons why you Should Buy Nigerian:
- Encourage local entrepreneurs: As they keep improving and it gets to the point where we are ready for export. Nigeria is blessed with human capital and innovative people who create great brands. Therefore if SMEs are supported they will be encouraged to keep getting better with showcasing their talents, this in general will increase entrepreneurial aptitude as we have seen in recent times.
- Socio-economic growth: Growth in any economy starts within the community and by encouraging SMEs. As a country we need to focus on developing a producing economy like the developed countries, this will in turn make producers sit up and improve on their crafts.
- Nigerian fashion buyers complains about the outrageous prices: But the truth is quality is not cheap and the fact that we don’t produce or process most of our raw materials, this affects the cost of production. You will agree with me that outfits bought locally are durable. The truth is you get what you pay for. Let’s compare international shopping for instance, you cannot compare the quality you get from Primark to Massimo Dutti or Saccor Brothers.This also is reflected in our pricing; expensive but durable and good quality, cheap and it won’t last.
- Availability: Shopping outside Nigeria means you have to travel or wait for it to be shipped whilst shopping locally is easy, its readily available. You can buy from the brand directly or get delivered to you.
- Job creation: Typically a Nigerian brand will employ locals for production and other positions within the organization. And the number of staff increases as production and orders increase.
- Buying Nigerian brands will help improve/grow our currency: As there will be a flow from production, buying and selling. Spending more within Nigeria and less on import will mean the better the exchange rate will become.
- The manufacturing industry will grow: If we have more people buying Nigerian brands and increase national partnerships,This will also increase productivity and engage more citizens and as a result decrease crime rate and unemployment.
- We are blessed with raw materials but lack the right machineries to process them: Which is affecting cost of production and the price of the finished production. if the fashion industry is encouraged with increased patronage, it will encourage the government to create public-private partnerships further with foreign investors and this will also attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
- Increased export: If fashion brands are able to create products which Nigerians are satisfied with, Nigerians that are familiar with international brands, this is to show that we are export ready.
- Local businesses give back: If the local business is thriving then the country will benefit with an increase in production and an equal rise in demand for locally made products, there will be an increase in the number of tax payers and the government can carry out other projects to develop the country.
There are several other reasons, but first the average Nigerian has to be proud of everything that is Nigerian and try to correct that which is not good. The rise and fall of the naira is a frightening development which is no longer news, analysts say the appetite for foreign things is one of the problems bedeviling Nigeria’s economy, hence the need to look inwards.Every Nigerian can contribute to this movement by patronizing that which is made in Nigeria by Nigerians.
