What used to be a backup plan is now the main option. More Nigerians are embracing local products—not just out of pride, but because imported goods have simply become too expensive to afford.
With the naira under pressure and import duties rising, foreign-made items—clothes, electronics, food, even basic household goods—now come with ridiculous price tags. For the average person trying to manage their daily needs, buying Nigerian-made has gone from “support your own” to pure survival.
“I used to buy Italian shoes,” said Ugo, a Lagos-based banker. “Now I rock shoes from Aba. And honestly? They last.”
That shift in mindset is happening everywhere. In markets across the country, locally produced fabrics, home appliances, soaps, and snacks are flying off the shelves. Tailors, shoemakers, and small-scale manufacturers are getting more customers than ever before.
And it’s not just about affordability—local quality has gotten better. With pressure to compete, many Nigerian entrepreneurs are investing in improved materials, better designs, and smarter packaging. Social media has also given them a direct line to customers, cutting out the middleman.
“Before, people used to laugh at our bags,” said Jumoke, who runs a leather goods business in Ibadan. “Now, people are asking me to customize gifts for weddings in the UK.”
The government has also started nudging the public toward this shift with campaigns like “Buy Naija to Grow the Naira,” but it’s the harsh economic reality that’s forcing most people to rethink their habits.
Will it last when things get better? That’s the big question. But for now, made-in-Nigeria is more than a trend—it’s a necessity. And maybe, just maybe, it’s also a turning point.
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