Lateef Agbaje, a nanotechnology expert, says nanotechnology has the potential to transform Nigeria’s textile industry by producing advanced technical fabrics for healthcare, defence and industrial use.

Mr Agbaje, head of the NANO+ Group at Ladoke Akinola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, said this on Tuesday in Abuja. He decried Nigeria’s reliance on imports for more than 60 per cent of the clothes used locally, despite its history of high cotton production.

According to him, nanotechnology can help revive cotton farming by developing climate-resilient cotton varieties and nano-based fertilisers and pesticides to improve productivity.

“The textile industry once employed millions of Nigerians. Reviving it through nanotechnology will create jobs, stimulate economic growth and improve social stability,” he said.

Mr Agbaje said his interest in textile applications emerged from years of research on nanomaterials capable of destroying bacteria and fungi resistant to conventional drugs.

According to him, the antimicrobial properties of nanomaterials can be infused into fabrics to produce self-disinfecting textiles suitable for hospitals, laboratories and industries where hygiene is critical.

The professor further said that nanotechnology could also improve textile functionality by making fabrics waterproof, fire-resistant, lightweight and self-cleaning.

According to him, some nanotextiles are hydrophobic and can repel water, while others have improved thermal stability, making them resistant to fire.

Mr Agbaje said his team observed that fabrics infused with nanomaterials became lighter without losing strength, thereby improving comfort and use.

He said that nano-textiles could also block harmful ultraviolet radiation, making them useful for military and paramilitary uniforms exposed to prolonged sunlight.

The expert said studies involving graphene-enhanced nanotextiles had also demonstrated stronger fabrics that could be adapted for lightweight bulletproof protective wear.

“You can have a bulletproof vest that is not bulky. It can look like an ordinary vest while still offering protection,” he said.

Mr Agbaje said advanced nanotextiles could also improve camouflage, dust resistance, and waterproofing for military and industrial applications. He urged the federal government to develop clear-cut policies and provide adequate funding to support nanotechnology research and commercialisation.

He also advocated stronger collaboration among researchers, the government, and the private sector to move innovations from the laboratory to the market.

(NAN)