Adire needs more investment to compete globally, experts say

…as Adire Renaissance 2026 holds ‘Girls in STEM…’

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s textile and fashion industry have urged governments and private investors to channel more resources into the adire value chain, arguing that strategic investment is essential for expanding exports and strengthening the fabric’s global appeal.

Industry experts at the maiden Adire Renaissance conference themed: ‘Girls in STEM, Innovation, and Creative Arts’ aimed at empowering girls, inspiring solutions, and building a creative, innovative and inclusive future, held on Thursday, called for more investment in the textile ecosystem.

Akintoye Akindele, president of the Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI), Nigeria, in his keynote address, described the ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, as Africa’s sustainable textile capital, emphasising that the indigenous Adire fabric possesses the potential to become a multi-billion-dollar export commodity if properly structured and promoted for the global market.

Akindele, speaking on a topic titled ‘Indigo and the Future: Sustainable Adire as Africa’s Green Export Advantage: The Cheat Code,’ said Abeokuta as Africa’s sustainable textile capital, is strategically positioned to become a global hub for environmentally sustainable textile production.

“Stakeholders across the Adire value chain should embrace proper business structuring, quality assurance, branding and international standards in order to maximise access to the enormous global market for sustainable textiles,” Akindele said.

Besides, he emphasised that Adire represents a multi-billion-dollar trade asset capable of generating employment, boosting exports and strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil economy if given the required institutional and commercial support.

Ameenah Matemilola, the Olori of Owu Kingdom and chairperson of the programme, said the Adire Renaissance initiative, spearheaded by ICLED and the Solace Foundation with support from development partners, is designed to inspire young girls to embrace creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship through Adire production.

Olajumoke Familoni, founder of ICLED Business School and convener of Adire Renaissance, in her address, explained that ICLED, now in its 23rd year, remains committed to educational partnerships and capacity development.

Familoni further said that the Adire Renaissance initiative was inspired by a charge given by Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, who challenged the institution about three years ago to address the growing problem of Adire adulteration.

“We’ve since been working to preserve authentic Adire production techniques while laying the foundation for the establishment of an Adire Hub in Abeokuta.

“The 2026 edition deliberately focused on girls in STEM and creative innovation as part of efforts to empower the girl-child with practical skills capable of securing their future,” she emphasised.

Meanwhile, Familoni encouraged Nigerians and corporate organisations to invest in the local textile industry by donating branded Adire towards the school uniforms, which, according to her, can be customised to any school of choice, assuring that ICLED is prepared and ready to deliver such an order to any part of the country.

Adebola Sofela, the Ogun State commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, represented by Yemisi Folarin, the director of Investment in the ministry, reaffirmed the commitment of Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State, to creating an enabling environment for stakeholders within the Adire industry through strategic public-private partnerships.

Sunday Olaleye, representing Ecobank Nigeria, the headline sponsor of the event, assured participants of the bank’s continued support towards sustaining the Adire Renaissance initiative and promoting entrepreneurship within the creative industry.

Moreover, other speakers at the event reiterated the need for increased investment across the textile value chain in Nigeria, including the revival of local cotton production, improved financing, innovation, product standardisation, skills development and stronger international marketing.

Recall that BusinessDay earlier reported that Global Adire Egba Development Limited unveiled the ‘Adire Village’ blueprint, a comprehensive initiative aimed at creating jobs for youth and promoting indigenous textile production.

Oluyinka Kufile, the committee chairman, told BusinessDay that the reason for the initiative was to curb the instances of some unscrupulous people smuggling Adire materials

“We discovered that Adire has been produced by some unscrupulous people who are smuggling it into Nigeria, and the only way we can stop them is by creating a production hub, whereby we can produce raw materials in large quantities for our people.

We want to start the Adire by outsourcing the materials at the onset; along the line, we move to the next stage, which will mean we have to be producing the materials locally,” he said.