Remi Tinubu unveils N2bn intervention to revive Akwete Textile Industry

…Urges Nigerians to Embrace Indigenous Fabric

By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled a N2 billion intervention fund to revive the Akwete weaving industry in Abia State, pledging support for the establishment of a modern production and research hub to preserve the centuries-old textile heritage.

Mrs Tinubu announced the intervention on Tuesday during a civic engagement with members of the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society in Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state.

The First Lady, who interacted with women weavers, inspected their facilities and watched live demonstrations of the traditional hand-weaving process, said the proposed centre would serve as a production hub and training institute to preserve the craft while integrating modern technology to enhance its economic value.

She urged Nigerians to embrace locally produced fabrics, insisting that Akwete cloth deserved wider national acceptance and international recognition.

“I am here to announce to all Nigerians that the Igbos should take Akwete to the nation. We all wear tie and dye from Yoruba land. We wear Aso Oke. Why not us wearing Akwete? It’s a beautiful fabric,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu said she had personally committed N2 billion to the project and expressed confidence that the funds would be properly utilised to transform the industry.

She disclosed that her interest in Akwete weaving was sparked by a documentary she watched on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), adding that she initially assumed the fabric originated from Ghana before discovering its roots in Abia State.

The First Lady described Akwete weaving as a priceless national heritage that must be preserved and repositioned as a cultural and economic asset.

She encouraged the weavers to maintain the authenticity of the craft while embracing innovation and modern fashion trends to increase its competitiveness.

Governor Alex Otti, who received the First Lady during the visit, said the initiative was entirely hers after she developed interest in the Akwete weaving tradition.

“The truth is that you invited yourself. This is your initiative, and you followed up with us to ensure that this visit happened. I want to thank you,” Otti said.

The governor said his administration had been working since 2023 to reposition the Akwete textile industry by addressing challenges that had limited its growth.

He warned that without innovation and the adoption of modern technology, traditional fabrics could lose relevance to machine-produced alternatives flooding global markets from countries such as India and China.

Otti disclosed that the state government had developed a blueprint for the sector and was ready to partner with the First Lady to establish a world-class production and research hub for Akwete weavers.

“We want to build a production hub for Akwete women in the cooperative society. We have been engaging with the industry since 2023 because we believe there is enormous potential in Akwete weaving,” he said.

The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing what he described as difficult but necessary economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira, saying the measures had increased resources available to governments for development projects despite the temporary economic challenges.

Earlier, the wife of the governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, described the First Lady’s visit as historic, noting that the intervention would preserve one of the oldest textile traditions of the Igbo people while creating sustainable economic opportunities for women in the community.

Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah, and the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, also described the visit as a turning point for the Akwete weaving industry.

They called for increased investment, large-scale production, international marketing and the establishment of a modern weaving and research centre to secure the future of the craft in the global textile market.

The ceremony’s highlight was the conferment of the traditional title of “Ugonwanyi” on the First Lady by the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council in recognition of her support for the preservation and promotion of Akwete weaving.

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