Why don't we put Made in Nigeria on our clothes if they are made here? Some factories like ours do great production! What do you think the reasons are and what can be done to change things? Could it be because people will not buy the clothes if they discover it was made in Nigeria? Or do designers specifically ask for this? Or did it never occur to us?

Read more at:

https://www.martwayne.com/why-dont-we-put-made-in-nigeria-on-our-clothes/

Perhaps we are not so proud of being made in Nigeria. You hear some calling themselves zoo!

We are the ones killing our economy by ourselves. Tomorrow we would heap the whole blame on the government. We are selling ourselves to the white man.

I guess they believe people won't buy them since most people consider internal products fake.

I guess they believe people won't buy them since most people consider internal products fake. We don't believe in our abilities, and also depend on the whites for so much.

Because we're yet to produce a thing... We sew clothes... but we don't have a brand... We import inferior items and assemble them and distribute them....

Lol. But some people feel it is because of the reputation we have. So it goes beyond just the clothes but the very mindset that anything foreign is better.

budaatum:
Perhaps we are not so proud of being made in Nigeria. You hear some calling themselves zoo!

It is quite sad actually... But then again... You do come across Made in Nigeria outfits that are badly made. So perhaps this is also responsible for the mindset.

imiski:
We are the ones killing our economy by ourselves. Tomorrow we would heap the whole blame on the government. We are selling ourselves to the white man.

That's what a lot of people have said. So why do we not look at a product for what it is against where it was made?

GeniusWannabe:
I guess they believe people won't buy them since most people consider internal products fake.

The typical subservient nature right? We do great work so why don't we just give us a chance?

GeniusWannabe:
I guess they believe people won't buy them since most people consider internal products fake. We don't believe in our abilities, and also depend on the whites for so much.

But it takes money to build a brand. If people don't buy, where will the money come from?

yanabasee:
Because we're yet to produce a thing... We sew clothes... but we don't have a brand... We import inferior items and assemble them and distribute them....

That I agree with. Since Nigerians don't value 9ja goods very highly.

But why though? These are outfits we made in our factory here in Surulere. Why should someone not buy it simply because it was made here?

MrBrownJay1:
- maybe they wanna save money
- maybe they want people to believe that it was made elsewhere (since Nigerians dont value 9ja goods very highly)

martwayne001:
Lol. But some people feel it is because of the reputation we have. So it goes beyond just the clothes but the very mindset that anything foreign is better.

Reputation "we" have? Funny I don't see that.

I can't hide I'm Nigerian when I apply for jobs in UK. It all in my well known Yoruba names you can tell a mile off, but no one has ever said, "Nigeria has a reputation and so have you". They look at my cv and interview me and hire me if they like what they see.

Yes, some Nigerians do have the mindset that foreign is better, and truth be told, it often iis - try spark plugs where old thrown away tokunbo is better than made in Naija, or health care where MRI machines are scarce, or Ipekere from Cuba sold in UK! But that's our doing for not making quality things and giving ourselves the reputation we might currently have.

Odd though. The world is hungry for quality authentic Made in Nigeria as we have a unique contribution to make to world culture. It's we who need to value ourselves.

budaatum:
This is not a portrayal of Nigeria, but of we Nigerians who create the despicable things described here in our country called Nigeria!

We Nigerians will change our ways when we finally decide to dislike being described this way.

I hear you. But trust me we have a reputation. I lived in South Africa for a bit. That's where I got my fashion degree. I know the things I had to fight, one of them being Nigerian. Whether we like it or not, we have a reputation and not all of it is good.

budaatum:

Reputation "we" have? Funny I don't see that.

I can't hide I'm Nigerian when I apply for jobs in UK. It all in my well known Yoruba names you can tell a mile off, but no one has ever said, "Nigeria has a reputation and so have you". They look at my cv and interview me and hire me if they like what they see.

Yes, some Nigerians do have the mindset that foreign is better, and truth be told, it often iis - try spark plugs where old thrown away tokunbo is better than made in Naija, or health care where MRI machines are scarce, or Ipekere from Cuba sold in UK! But that's our doing for not making quality things and giving ourselves the reputation we might currently have.

Odd though. The world is hungry for quality authentic Made in Nigeria as we have a unique contribution to make to world culture. It's we who need to value ourselves.

I hear you. But trust me we have a reputation. I lived in South Africa for a bit. That's where I got my fashion degree. I know the things I had to fight, one of them being Nigerian. Whether we like it or not, we have a reputation and not all of it is good. I love being Nigerian and I don't hide it either. I am proud of it!

budaatum:

Reputation "we" have? Funny I don't see that.

I can't hide I'm Nigerian when I apply for jobs in UK. It all in my well known Yoruba names you can tell a mile off, but no one has ever said, "Nigeria has a reputation and so have you". They look at my cv and interview me and hire me if they like what they see.

Yes, some Nigerians do have the mindset that foreign is better, and truth be told, it often iis - try spark plugs where old thrown away tokunbo is better than made in Naija, or health care where MRI machines are scarce, or Ipekere from Cuba sold in UK! But that's our doing for not making quality things and giving ourselves the reputation we might currently have.

Odd though. The world is hungry for quality authentic Made in Nigeria as we have a unique contribution to make to world culture. It's we who need to value ourselves.

martwayne001:
It is quite sad actually... But then again... You do come across Made in Nigeria outfits that are badly made. So perhaps this is also responsible for the mindset.

I can't help but agree with you. But continous petronage would make them better. After all tecno nah chinko e be before.

martwayne001:
That I agree with. Since Nigerians don't value 9ja goods very highly.

But why though? These are outfits we made in our factory here in Surulere. Why should someone not buy it simply because it was made here?

if your goods were as cheap as China goods then people would buy it.... you cant expect people to buy your goods, just because they are Nigeri made, do you? you gotta build a reputation 1st, and sadly, many manufacturer think that you can just build a brand and sell to millions, just like that.

it doesnt work that way.... look at the local Nigerian cars, as much as it is a great idea, the car is shiit and damn ugly... but some Nigerian would expect people to not buy a sound/sexy looking foreign car and just buy Nigerian motor.

People are buying because it is of good quality and it looks good not because they are made in Nigeria. And these dresses are not even good examples. They are all sold out! In fact, for that beige dress, that is the 2nd or 3rd reorder. I just attached the pictures to show great clothes can come from here. I even bought some of her stuff at her retail price even though we produced for her.

Plus the designer is new. She just started last year - an unknown brand if you will. If the product is good, people will buy. But if they know it is Made in Nigeria, they tend to find faults or expect that if it it Made in Nigeria, they can be adjusted to fit their bodies.

For me, I don't necessarily go for cheap clothes. I make clothes and I teach fashion design so what I look out for when I buy clothes - and in fact any other thing - is usually quality.

And as for China goods, not everything produced in China is cheap. I used to produce clothes in China and I know what I paid for production alone not to add marketing. It is what you ask for they will produce for you and send to you. And their factories are heavily subsidized by Government. We are not. Not to mention burning diesel all day!

People don't charge what they do simply because they are made in Nigeria. People charge based on the huge costs they incur in providing the product.

MrBrownJay1:


if your goods were as cheap as China goods then people would buy it.... you cant expect people to buy your goods, just because they are Nigeri made, do you? you gotta build a reputation 1st, and sadly, many manufacturer think that you can just build a brand and sell to millions, just like that.

it doesnt work that way.... look at the local Nigerian cars, as much as it is a great idea, the car is shiit and damn ugly... but some Nigerian would expect people to not buy a sound/sexy looking foreign car and just buy Nigerian motor.

True! Lol!

imiski:
I can't help but agree with you. But continous petronage would make them better. After all tecno nah chinko e be before.

martwayne001:
People are buying because it is of good quality and it looks good not because they are made in Nigeria. And these dresses are not even good examples. They are all sold out! In fact, for that beige dress, that is the 2nd or 3rd reorder. I just attached the pictures to show great clothes can come from here. I even bought some of her stuff at her retail price even though we produced for her.

Plus the designer is new. She just started last year - an unknown brand if you will. If the product is good, people will buy. But if they know it is Made in Nigeria, they tend to find faults or expect that if it it Made in Nigeria, they can be adjusted to fit their bodies.

For me, I don't necessarily go for cheap clothes. I make clothes and I teach fashion design so what I look out for when I buy clothes - and in fact any other thing - is usually quality.

And as for China goods, not everything produced in China is cheap. I used to produce clothes in China and I know what I paid for production alone not to add marketing. It is what you ask for they will produce for you and send to you. And their factories are heavily subsidized by Government. We are not. Not to mention burning diesel all day!

People don't charge what they do simply because they are made in Nigeria. People charge based on the huge costs they incur in providing the product.

you reputation is everything... and without one, you can have the best product in the market, and it wont sell.... Nigeria is a poor country, and people either buy cheap goods, fake luxury goods or luxury goods.... China is flooding the market with cheap goods already, therefore the question IS: why should they buy your product at a higher price?