Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said she will proudly wear a buba and wrapper made from Akwete fabric if President Bola Tinubu is re-elected for a second term in office.
She made the comment on Tuesday during her first official visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Abia State, where she met with local weavers and announced a ₦2 billion intervention aimed at reviving the historic textile industry and improving the livelihoods of artisans.
According to the First Lady, the visit was an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Akwete weaving while encouraging Nigerians to embrace locally made fabrics.
Oluremi Tinubu Commends Akwete Weavers and Local Craftsmanship
Speaking during the visit, Oluremi Tinubu praised the quality of Akwete fabric, describing it as soft, breathable, and suitable for everyday wear.
She also expressed admiration for the younger generation who have continued the centuries-old weaving tradition passed down within their families.
She said:
“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. I saw young people in their family doing the exact thing. So it is a craft transferred from generation.”
The First Lady encouraged Nigerians to support Akwete fabric and other locally produced textiles, noting that increased patronage would preserve indigenous craftsmanship while creating more economic opportunities for rural communities.
As part of the visit, she also announced a ₦2 billion donation to support the revival of the Akwete weaving industry, a move expected to strengthen production and improve the welfare of local artisans.
First Lady Explains Purpose of Abia Visit
Oluremi Tinubu explained that she intentionally chose not to prepare a formal speech because her priority was to spend time with the women behind the renowned weaving tradition and hear their stories firsthand.
According to her, the visit was designed to create a personal connection with the artisans rather than follow a rigid official programme.
She also appreciated Abia State Governor Alex Otti, describing him as a good leader and recalling how she had previously reached out to his wife while seeking information about Akwete weaving before eventually making the visit.
She said:
“I just wanted to meet with these women, which I will tell the story. But we went on, and my husband said something. He said I was getting frustrated.
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I said, Otti is a good man. He’s a very good man. I see that, and I want to thank you. And I remember when I was calling you, looking for your wife, concerning Akwete. So, but I thank God we are here. All that history. We are here.”
The First Lady concluded by urging Nigerians to embrace locally made fabrics, stressing that greater support for indigenous textile production would help preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage while improving the economic well-being of communities that depend on traditional weaving.
