Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged to wear the traditional Akwete buba and wrapper if President Bola Tinubu is re-elected in the 2027 general elections.
She made the remark on Tuesday during her maiden visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, where she also announced a ₦2 billion intervention aimed at revitalising and promoting the renowned indigenous textile industry.
“And I will tell you, I told Her Excellency, I said, if God brings my husband in a second time, I’ll be wearing a ‘buba’ wrapper from Akwete,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
The First Lady described Akwete fabric as a distinctive, soft and breathable cotton textile that deserves greater national and international recognition. She said she intends to showcase the fabric at one of Nigeria’s major ceremonial events.
She commended the women of the Akwete Weaving Cooperative for preserving the centuries-old craft and passing the skill from one generation to another, describing the tradition as a valuable cultural heritage that should be sustained.
Mrs. Tinubu urged Nigerians to patronise Akwete fabric and other locally produced textiles, saying increased support for indigenous products would strengthen local industries, preserve cultural identity and create sustainable livelihoods for rural artisans.
She explained that the visit was designed as a personal engagement with the weavers rather than a formal event, adding that she intentionally came without a prepared speech to enable her interact freely with the women and appreciate their craftsmanship.
The President’s wife also commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti for supporting the Akwete weaving industry, describing him as “a very good man.” She recalled contacting the governor’s wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, to learn more about the famous weaving tradition before the visit eventually took place.
Reiterating the importance of promoting made-in-Nigeria products, Mrs. Tinubu said greater patronage of indigenous textiles would help preserve the nation’s cultural heritage while creating more economic opportunities for local weavers and their communities.
In his remarks, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing the Akwete textile industry, describing the indigenous fabric as unmatched in quality.
He said the state government has been promoting Akwete weaving since 2023 through initiatives focused on embracing technology and removing obstacles to the industry’s growth, while also reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.
The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing key economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
Also speaking, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, described the visit as historic and praised Senator Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for its empowerment programmes targeting women, youths and vulnerable groups. She also lauded the First Lady’s commitment to preserving the Akwete weaving heritage and supporting the women behind the centuries-old craft.
