Abstract

Neoliberalism or the contemporary transition of the age old globalization has transformed the face of textile production and trade in Kano, Nigeria. This article provides statistical analysis of the scenario of deindustrialization encouraged by the worsening performers indicators in production encouraged by the adverse effects of neoliberalism in two and half decades (1990-2015). The study compares the effects of the phenomenon from 1990 to 1999 when neoliberalism was entrenched and from 2000 to 2015 when Kano experienced increase textile trade relations with China encouraged by free movement of goods and improved communications. Information on production performance indicators and trend on employment and capacity utilisation in three sampled factories were analysed. Descriptive statistics was used to provide a clear picture of the behaviour of location parameters of the data. The research also employed trend analysis techniques by plotting the observed data of the workforce and production capacity against the years under review. The analyses showed that heavy damage was done to the industry by neoliberalism and increased China’s exports. Moreover, the results indicated that production was at its peak in the 1990s in terms of labour strength and production capacity. Decline in production was observed over the years as the workforce and capacity reduced to an appalling numbers when China occupies the Kano production space. This was from 2000 when liberalism became endemic and the textiles factories in Kano suffered its impact. The competitive position open to foreign textile industry challenges the opportunities open to Kano textile industry by globalization. Our study can be used as a benchmark by the policy makers to formulate a policy that can create the development of a comprehensive and workable home grown strategy which will in the long run ensure mutual beneficial interaction and build the system for genuine win-win position.

Key words: China, Employment, Kano, Nigeria, Neoliberalism, Production, Textile, Trade