Interior designers in the creative industry have called on the government to maintain the ban on imported furniture and promote stable policies for businesses to stay afloat. They maintained that the import ban on furniture would give local producers and entrepreneurs a chance to thrive and stimulate activities in the sector.

Chief Executive Officer of Designtactics Interiors Ltd, Aisha Ishaku, said this during the launch of a creative studio, Jowel’s Place, designed to train artisans, manufacture furniture, provide design services, and offer creative and hospitality solutions.

The move, she said, is to help solve Nigeria’s economic puzzle by championing locally made interiors through production, education, and innovation.

Citing reports by Statista and 6Wresearch, she said Nigeria’s home decor market is projected to reach $1.14 billion by 2025, and the furniture segment is expected to generate $5.11 billion in revenue.

However, she mentioned that local producers face steep challenges, including poor access to raw materials, high importation costs, and dependency on foreign-made goods.

Determined to bridge that gap, she said the launch was also to create jobs, build capacity, and prove that Nigerians can produce quality just like anyone else.

“Nigerians are still largely driven by the craze for imported goods and very much consider local produce as inferior. However, this does not turn out to be true. As a manufacturer who used to rely on foreign materials, I can tell boldly that local material is unrivalled in terms of strength, quality, and durability,” she added.

Chairman of Designtactics Group, Yusufu Ishaku, said there is a lot of economic potential in creative industries like interior design. However, he said what the country needs is strategic support to help scale operations and export Nigerian-made excellence.

He noted that interior design is not just an aesthetic luxury but an economic opportunity. “Interior design creates a ripple effect, from raw material suppliers to artisans and service providers. If we invest in it as a nation, we multiply our economic growth avenues,” he said.

President of the Interiors Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), Jacqueline Aki, commended Ishaku on her new venture, tasking designers to think globally to unlock opportunities and improve the sector.