Why Nigerians prefer imported clothes to locally produced ones

Posted by Felix Okoli on Monday July 7, 2014 at 11:27:4:

Nigeria as a country has a booming textile industry that engaged in the production of both textile materials and finished clothing. There are many experienced and skilled local tailors that produce good enough clothes. However, in spite of the availability of locally produced clothes, a very large percentage of clothes that are used in Nigeria are imported from outside the country. These clothes ranging from Okrika(used clothes), ready made clothes, designers and many others.

This can be traced back to the fact that many Nigerians prefer to buy imported clothes, to clothes made in Nigeria.

Some of the reasons why Nigerians prefer imported clothes to local ones:

- Higher Quality: This is one of the major reason why many Nigerians like imported clothes is because the imported clothes are of superior quality when compared to clothes made in Nigeria. this is because most of the clothes are produced with better quality materials than what Nigerian tailors use.

- Made By more Experienced Designers: Apart from the fact that the clothes produced outside the country are produced with superior materials, they are also designed by well experienced world class designers who are popularly known and have skills that are unmatched in Nigeria. So it is natural to prefer a suit designed by Dolce and Gabanna than a one designed by the Tailor staying down the road.

- Cheaper Price: Finally, the reason why Nigerian prefer imported clothe is because the price of some of clothes imported into Nigeria are cheaper than the ones made in Nigeria. For instance, Okrika also known as second hand clothes are cheaper and have more quality than clothes made in Nigeria. Even some new clothes that are imported are normally cheaper than what obtains in Nigeria and that's why some Nigerians go abroad to shop for clothes. This is because developed countries have lots of machines and the technology to mass produce high quality clothing at a reduced price.

- Ready made and easily fits: The clothes normally imported are made of varying sizes and specification while most clothes made in Nigeria since they are not mass produced are mostly made in fewer sizes and hence doesn't fit many people. It's easier to just order for clothing online at US stores that fit your size than getting a tailor to measure you and sew one for you. There doesn't seem to be any serious competing clothing industry in Nigeria yet that mass produces clothes with varying sizes and shape that easily fits people.