Nnamdi Daniel, the chief executive officer (CEO) of CNDaniels Couture, has called on the federal government to review Nigeria’s textile policy, saying stronger regulatory support is crucial to reviving the local industry and expanding the creative economy.
Daniel spoke at the company’s end-of-year event, Canvas of Culture, where he highlighted persistent challenges confronting local textile manufacturers and fashion designers, including high import costs, weak policy frameworks, and limited government incentives.
According to him, Nigeria’s fashion and textile sector holds enormous potential for job creation and economic growth but remains constrained by policies that fail to prioritise local production.
“We need policies that support indigenous industries and make Nigerian fabrics competitive in the market,” Daniel said, adding that meaningful reforms would help designers scale production and reduce dependence on imported textiles.
He stressed that fashion remains a powerful tool for cultural promotion but warned that without government backing, local designers would struggle to compete globally.
“We are promoting Nigerian culture and fashion, but we need government support to truly succeed,” he said.
Daniel also spoke on the forthcoming GLAMTRAD event, a cultural fashion showcase being organised in collaboration with the British Council, aimed at promoting Nigerian traditional outfits, fabrics, and heritage.
According to him, the initiative will focus on storytelling through fashion, while creating economic opportunities for artisans and grassroots creatives across the country.
“Unlike regular fashion shows, GLAMTRAD will go deep into our culture, using fashion to explain aspects of Nigeria that many people no longer know,” he explained.
Daniel lamented the gradual erosion of indigenous fashion identity, noting that many Nigerians are increasingly disconnected from traditional fabrics and aesthetics.
“People are beginning to forget what our fabrics look like and what our cultural heritage represents. We have shifted too much towards foreign fashion identities,” he said.
He disclosed that the British Council approved the use of its spaces in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt for the event after reviewing the proposal, describing the collaboration as a first-of-its-kind cultural engagement.
Daniel added that GLAMTRAD will work directly with local weavers, bead makers and other creative artisans to make indigenous fabrics commercially viable and attractive to international markets.
“Our aim is not just job creation, but to make Nigerian fabrics marketable and valuable, so the people behind these crafts are recognised and rewarded for their work,” he said.
The event is expected to attract interest from international markets, including Uganda and the United States, positioning Nigerian fashion as both a cultural and economic export.
