Tailoring Industry and the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria

This study examines the role and relationship of the Tailoring Industry in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within Nigeria. The transition from the Millennium Development Goals to the SDGs necessitates sector-specific strategies, and the Nigerian tailoring sector—a vital, decentralized component of the nation’s Small and Medium-Scale Enterprise (SME) economy—presents both critical opportunities and significant challenges for sustainable development. This research aimed to analyze the contributions of this industry to various SDGs, particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 1 (No Poverty), while also identifying critical barriers to compliance with environmental and production-focused goals, such as Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
Adopting a qualitative and descriptive research approach, the study utilized a comprehensive literature review of existing scholarship on sustainable fashion, SMEs, and the SDGs in the Nigerian context. Findings indicate that the tailoring industry serves as a crucial employment generator, directly supporting local economic stability and poverty reduction efforts. However, practices related to textile waste management, energy use, and reliance on imported materials pose significant threats to long-term sustainability. The study concludes that the successful achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria requires targeted policy interventions, specialized training in sustainable production techniques, and improved access to financing for tailors to adopt eco-friendly processes. The study recommends integrating sustainability metrics into industry standards to leverage the tailoring sector as a model for inclusive and green economic growth.