Economy: Nigerians in diaspora now order clothes from home

2026-03-23 - 05:33

A Yoruba adage says ‘oun a ni l’angbe l’aruge’, meaning what one owns, he values’. A few years back, Nigerians at home cherished foreign made wears and accessories, so much that our home made products were less valued, and somehow abandoned. Those Nigerians in diaspora also valued foreign brand wears and accessories, at that time, but today, the opposite is the case. Economy&Lifestyle discovered that Nigerians in diaspora now buy clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories from Nigeria, which are shipped to their various locations abroad. Some people revealed that the reason for the change was due to the high cost of living abroad, including the high cost of clothing and accessories. Nigerians in diaspora also seek cheaper means of exporting these goods to their stations abroad. Many would wonder why people earning in dollars, euros, pounds and the like are looking for cheap things, not in diaspora alone, but also in Nigeria. Mrs. Chiwendu Osarodion, a Nigerian living abroad, explained: “I buy my food items, clothings, bags, shoes and accessories from Nigeria. It is cheaper there than my resident country. “Here you can spend £150 for a jean trouser, which is over N150,000. “But I can get three to four quality jeans at same rate in Nigeria. “So I order whatever I need from merchants in Nigeria, which is less expensive for me.” Mrs. Helen Tudunola, a boutique owner, confirmed the above saying: “I have some customers in the United Kingdom and United States. They are stress free people. They buy clothes, shoes , bags , and jewelry from me. “I help them waybill it to their destinations. “The first time I had an order from the diaspora, I was shocked. “I began to imagine what might have gone wrong because I know Nigerians, we cherish foreign wear and given the opportunity to be there, we would love to show off by buying or shopping from there with videos as proof flying about the internet.” Mr. Goodnews Lawrence, a Nigerian in diaspora said: “Shopping from Nigeria is less expensive compared to abroad. Gone are the days people spend recklessly abroad. There are bogus bills to pay, including bills in Nigeria and you are thinking of spending recklessly. “My shoes, clothes, perfumes among other things , I order from Nigeria. “The only thing I buy here is food, jackets and boots for the cold and food from African stores. “Most of my Nigerian female friends order African food stuff from Nigeria. “Though it depends on the country you are in because some countries do not permit some kinds of things.” Mrs. Shade Okunloye, a Nigerian in diaspora said: “I employ the services of one trusted person who runs errands of buying foodstuff, clothes, shoes, bags, hair extensions among other things in Nigeria. “I pay her for the job which she does so well. “After getting these things she makes sure these things get to me intact by choosing a reliable logistic company. “Most of the staff of some logistic companies are terrible. They steal people’s items and make up a series of lies to cover up their bad deeds. But there are still responsible and good ones. “It is cheaper and convenient for me than shopping in Diaspora which is so expensive.”