Export of Nigerian Fabric – JSS3 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (Third Term)

Export of Nigerian fabric is the sale of cloth and fabric products made in Nigeria to buyers in other countries.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define export in your own words.
2. State three benefits of exporting Nigerian fabric.
3. Describe Ankara, Adire and Aso-Oke and the forms in which each is exported.
4. List the steps in preparing fabric for export.
5. Name three challenges of exporting fabric and suggest ways to reduce them.

What does export mean?

Export is the sale of goods made in one country to people or businesses in another country.

• Example: a Nigerian tailor who makes Ankara jackets and sells them to a customer in the USA, UK or China is exporting.
• Import: the opposite of export, which means buying goods from another country.
• Past: Nigeria mainly exported crude oil.
• Today: Nigerian fashion and fabrics are also in high demand abroad.

Why do we export Nigerian fabric?

We export fabric because it earns money, creates jobs and spreads our culture.

• Foreign money: sales bring dollars, pounds and euros into the economy.
• Jobs: local weavers, dyers, designers and tailors earn a living.
• Culture: when a celebrity in New York wears Adire, people see Nigerian heritage.
• Bigger market: a maker can sell to customers all over the world, not only in one town.

What are the main Nigerian fabrics for export?

The three main Nigerian fabrics for export are Ankara, Adire and Aso-Oke.

Ankara

Ankara is a bright, printed cotton fabric that Nigerians have made part of their own fashion.

• Origin: it did not start in Nigeria, but Nigerian designers use it in their own styles.
• Why people abroad buy it: the bright colours and patterns that tell stories.
• Export form: raw fabric sold in yards, or ready-to-wear items such as jackets and bags.

Adire

Adire is a traditional Yoruba cloth dyed with patterns, made mostly in Egba land (Abeokuta).

• How it is made: parts of the cloth are tied, stitched or covered so the dye cannot reach them, which leaves a pattern.
• Why people abroad buy it: it is handmade, and many buyers in Europe and America pay more for handmade goods.
• Export form: luxury scarves, shirts and home decoration such as throw pillows.

Aso-Oke

Aso-Oke is a hand-woven Yoruba prestige cloth worn for weddings and other big occasions.

• Weight: it used to be very heavy, but modern weavers now make lighter types that are easier to wear abroad.
• Why people abroad buy it: it is unique, strong and has a rich texture that machines cannot copy exactly.
• Export form: evening gowns, suits and luxury clutch bags.

How do the three fabrics compare?

How is Nigerian fabric exported?

Fabric is exported by checking its quality, packing it well, finding buyers and shipping it.

1. Quality control: check every piece before it leaves the workshop.
2. Packaging: fold the fabric neatly and seal it in moisture-proof bags.
3. Finding buyers: sell through websites such as Etsy or on Instagram to customers in places like London or Texas.
4. Shipping: send the goods by air or by sea with the papers the shipping company and customs ask for.

What is quality control?

Quality control is the checking of goods to make sure they meet the buyer’s standard.

• Colour: the dye must not run or wash out.
• Weaving: the weave must be firm, not loose.
• Finishing: edges and seams must be neat.
• Result of poor quality: the international buyer returns the goods and may not buy again.

Why is packaging important?

• Moisture: damp air on a ship or aeroplane can make fabric go mouldy.
• Time: the goods travel a long way, so they must be well protected.
• Neatness: tidy packs make a good first impression on the buyer.

What are the challenges of exporting fabric?

The main challenges are high transport cost, poor electricity supply and copying of Nigerian designs.

• High cost of transport: sending even a small box to America can be very expensive.
• Electricity: weavers and dyers need steady power to produce large amounts of fabric quickly.
• Fake prints: some producers copy Adire designs and print them cheaply on low-quality cloth.

How can we reduce these challenges?

• Protect our brands: label goods clearly as original Nigerian products.
• Keep quality high: good work helps buyers tell real products from fakes.
• Plan shipping: send goods in larger, well-packed orders where possible to share the cost.

Teacher’s note

• Starting small: you do not need to be a big businessman to begin.
• Example: many people start by sending small parcels of Ankara to relatives abroad, who sell to their friends.

Evaluation

1. Define export and give one example of a fabric product that Nigeria exports.
2. State three benefits of exporting Nigerian fabric.
3. Why is quality control important when selling to international customers?
4. How does exporting fabric help a woman who dyes Adire in Abeokuta?
5. Name three challenges of exporting fabric.

Assignment

Choose one fabric from Ankara, Adire or Aso-Oke to export to a friend in London. Write six lines giving the reason for your choice, the form you would export it in, and how you would pack it.