In an effort to lessen Nigeria’s excessive reliance on imported apparel and promote industrialisation, the Federal Government has thrown its support behind a recently opened clothing factory in Abuja.
The Modish Garment Factory, an investment by Nigerian fashion house Mo’Afrique, was unveiled on Wednesday. The organisers made this announcement in a statement.
The statement claims that Olajumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, who commissioned the facility, praised Omobolanle Olawole, Founder and Creative Director of Mo’Afrique, for her dedication to investing in Nigeria’s textile and apparel sector.
According to Oduwole, the Federal Government anticipates that the new factory will take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area in order to grow outside of Nigeria.
“We expect you to have your garments all across Africa and the rest of the world using the African Continental Free Trade Area,” she stated. Both the Ministry and the administration are proud of it. This is the source of employment, jobs, and GDP.
“I’ve already charged her to use the AfCFTA to export her clothing to the rest of Africa and the world. I am here to support entrepreneurs today because this administration stands for helping them solve business climate challenges and boost productivity. I am proud of you, Omobolanle; today is truly a day of great work.
The minister emphasised that entrepreneurship is still essential to economic growth and that the project reflects the administration’s larger goal of encouraging industrial growth through private sector investment.
To inspire other business owners, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It is not easy, and no one is claiming that it is. Thus, a company that began in her bedroom ten years ago is now building a factory and engaging in industrialisation,” she continued.
Oduwole emphasised that Nigerian business owners have demonstrated resiliency in the face of a difficult operating environment and reassured investors of ongoing government support. “I am incredibly proud of Nigerian entrepreneurs; we support them to solve the business climate challenges; they are determined and dogged to face the challenges,” she stated.
The introduction of the Modish brand, the factory’s commissioning, and the commemoration of Mo’Afrique’s tenth anniversary, according to Olawole’s remarks, were pivotal events for the business and the industry as a whole.
She claims that the achievement is the result of years of tenacity in a field that has long been hampered by structural issues.
This is a momentous occasion. “Today is about vision, resilience, and the promise of a better future for the Nigerian garment and clothing industry, not just about launching a brand or opening a facility,” she stated.
She recalled the company’s modest beginnings, pointing out that it began ten years ago as a small business motivated by creativity and passion. “Mo’Afrique was a dream ten years ago, driven by creativity and passion. Although the path wasn’t always simple, we persevered, driven by excellence and supported by our partners’ and clients’ faith,” she continued.
However, Olawole provided a more comprehensive view of the difficulties Nigeria’s clothing industry faces, emphasising the predominance of imports and structural inefficiencies.
Nigeria’s apparel industry has long faced difficulties. Between 2010 and 2025, a high-potential but underdeveloped local sector faced competition from high-volume, low-cost imports.
Over 90% of popular fabrics like Ankara are imported, and Nigeria spends about $6 billion a year on clothing. Domestic production has been further hindered by smuggling, porous borders, and inadequate infrastructure.
“Consistent results remain elusive despite government interventions, such as the Cotton, Garment, and Textile policy and the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan,” she stated.
She called the situation paradoxical, pointing out that although traditional fabrics are still essential to Nigerian culture, a large portion of the supply comes from outside sources.
The paradox is evident: although Ankara is essential to our identity, the majority of it is imported. However, despite these obstacles, high-quality locally produced clothing is starting to appear, demonstrating that we can create a competitive industry with the help of contemporary technology and vision,” she continued.
Olawole positioned the new brand as a component of the solution, stating that Modish is intended to close gaps throughout the value chain through sustained investment and innovation.
In this context, Modish has emerged as a solution as well as a brand. In order to make sure that today’s difficulties become stepping stones towards a genuinely local and integrated clothing industry, we want to work across the textile and apparel value chain with our five to ten-year plan,” she stated.
She revealed that in addition to being a centre for skill development, the factory is outfitted with cutting-edge technology and built to satisfy international production standards.
“Our factory positions us as leaders in clothing and apparel in Nigeria and beyond, serving as both a production hub and an example of innovation and sustainability.
“We have made infrastructure investments to support this vision. Built to international standards, our new clothing factory is a centre of innovation with state-of-the-art machinery, cutting-edge technology, and knowledgeable staff.
It is made to deliver efficiency and foster creativity while producing at scale without sacrificing quality. This facility will provide training and employment opportunities for local talent, demonstrating that Nigerian fashion can compete on a global scale in both creativity and manufacturing quality,” she said.
The development coincides with Nigeria’s efforts to lessen its reliance on imports, preserve foreign exchange, and unlock value in all of its non-oil sectors. The garment industry is thought to be a major factor in the creation of jobs and the expansion of exports.
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