A review of Nigeria’s foreign trade data has revealed that Nigerians spent N20.4 billion on the importation of umbrellas, sunshades, headgear, footwear, whips and related products within the first three months of 2026.
The figure was obtained from the Foreign Trade Statistics report for the first quarter of 2026 released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and reviewed by SaharaReporters.
According to the report, the expenditure covered imports classified under categories including Headgears, Sunshades, Umbrellas, Whips, Footwears and other unspecified products.
The latest import figures come amid continued concerns over Nigeria’s dependence on imported consumer goods despite repeated calls for increased local production and industrial development.
The NBS data further showed that the country spent significantly more on the importation of plastics, rubber and related products during the same period. Between January and March 2026 alone, Nigeria imported plastics, rubbers and articles thereof valued at approximately N827 billion.
The development follows a similar trend recorded in previous years, with import bills for consumer and industrial goods remaining high despite efforts by successive governments to encourage local manufacturing and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that Nigerians spent a total of N3.9 trillion on importing plastics, rubbers and “articles thereof” throughout 2025.
A breakdown of the figures showed that between October and December 2025, representing the fourth quarter of the year, N982.9 billion was spent on the importation of the products.
Data from the NBS also indicated that spending on plastics, rubbers and related articles has risen considerably over the years. While N3.9 trillion was spent on the imports in 2025, the corresponding figure stood at N3.4 trillion in 2024 and N1.2 trillion in 2023.
Similarly, an earlier review of Nigeria’s foreign trade statistics showed that the country spent N89.9 billion on imported products such as umbrellas, sunshades, footwear, headgear, whips and other unspecified items during the 2025 fiscal year.
Of that amount, N22.1 billion was spent during the final quarter of 2025 alone, covering the period between October and December.
The latest figures highlight the sustained demand for imported consumer products and manufactured goods in Nigeria, with billions of naira continuing to be expended on items that are also consumed widely across the country.
Previously, a review of Nigeria’s foreign trade statistics for the third quarter of 2025 showed heavy spending on food-related imports, with prepared foodstuffs, beverages and vegetable products accounting for a significant share of goods brought into the country.
Data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and reviewed by SaharaReporters revealed that prepared foodstuff, beverages, spirits and Vinegar valued at N748 billion were imported between July and September 2025.
Within the same three-month period, vegetable products worth N697 billion were also imported into the country, underscoring Nigeria’s continued reliance on foreign food supplies despite repeated government pledges to boost local production.
(SaharaReporters)
