Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has declared that she will adorn herself in traditional Akwete attire if President Bola Tinubu wins a second term in office.
She made this known on Tuesday during her inaugural visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Abia State—a trip she described as a long-awaited personal mission rather than an official engagement.
Addressing the women weavers, Mrs. Tinubu 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.”
She expressed admiration for the generational continuity of the craft, noting, “I saw young people in their family doing exact thing. So it is a craft transferred from generation.”
Beyond her personal pledge, the First Lady announced a ₦2 billion donation aimed at revitalising the local weaving industry. She used the platform to call on Nigerians to embrace Igbo traditional attire produced from the fabric, framing it as a practical way to support rural weavers and preserve indigenous craftsmanship.
Mrs. Tinubu emphasised that her visit was deliberately informal. She chose to spend quality time with the cooperative members instead of following a rigid programme, and arrived without a prepared speech because, as she explained, the trip was meant to be a heartfelt personal interaction rather than a formal state function.
She also took a moment to commend Abia State Governor Alex Otti, saying, “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. I said, Otti is a good man. He’s a very good man. I see that, and I want to thank you.”
Recalling how the visit came together, she added, “And I remember when I was calling you, looking for your wife, concerning Akwete. So, but I thank God we are here. All those history. We are here.”
The First Lady concluded by reiterating her appeal for Nigerians to patronise locally made textiles, stressing that doing so would not only sustain indigenous traditions but also strengthen the livelihoods of weavers in rural communities across the country.
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