Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged to wear traditional Akwete fabric if President Bola Tinubu is re-elected for a second term, while announcing a ₦2 billion intervention to revive the renowned Akwete weaving industry in Abia State.
Speaking during her maiden visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village on Tuesday, the First Lady praised the community for preserving the centuries-old craft and highlighted the importance of promoting locally made textiles.
“If God brings my husband in a second time, I’ll be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete. I am going to be wearing that because it is very soft, breathable cotton,” she said.
She also commended the younger generation for continuing the weaving tradition, describing it as a valuable cultural heritage passed down through families.
“I saw young people in their family doing the exact thing. So it is a craft transferred from generation to generation,” she added.
As part of efforts to support the industry, Mrs. Tinubu announced a ₦2 billion donation aimed at revitalising the Akwete weaving sector and improving the livelihoods of local artisans.
She urged Nigerians, particularly the Igbo community, to embrace traditional attire made from Akwete fabric as a way of preserving the country’s cultural heritage and creating economic opportunities for local weavers.
The First Lady also revealed that she deliberately chose a less formal approach to the visit, preferring to spend time interacting directly with the women at the cooperative rather than following a rigid programme.
Akwete fabric, traditionally handwoven in Abia State, is one of Nigeria’s most distinctive indigenous textiles and is widely celebrated for its craftsmanship and cultural significance.
