Adire Renaissance drives strategic growth across Nigeria’s adire value chain

In a bold move to reposition Nigeria’s indigenous textile industry for sustainable growth, Adire Renaissance has intensified efforts to strengthen the country’s adire value chain through strategic partnerships, innovation, skills development, and market expansion.

The initiative brings together key stakeholders across the production, design, distribution, and policy ecosystem, such as the Asian African Chamber of Commerce, Wessy College of Arts and Technology, Abeokuta, and Ecobank, among others, to enhance the global competitiveness of authentic Nigerian adire, while creating economic opportunities for artisans, entrepreneurs, and local communities.

The maiden Adire Renaissance conference themed: ‘Girls in STEM, Innovation, and Creative Arts’ is aimed at empowering girls, inspiring solutions, building a creative, innovative and inclusive future.

Olajumoke Familoni, the founder of ICLED and the Adire Renaissance programme lead, informed BusinessDay that the maiden edition was born out of the fact that the Nigeria has not taken full advantage of its native textile industry.

“This year’s girl child conference is to bring the young girls and students into the Adire value chain. Stir up their interest in creativity of designs, ideas on dye production for the Adire market and other items needed in the Adire value chain,” Familoni said.

The Innovation Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development (ICLED), a 23-yearold institution of higher learning in Nigeria, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the 2026 conference, which focuses on STEM, with the goal of stirring creativity in the girl child and encourage girl-child to become an active participant in the Adire value chain.

Familoni explained that about three years ago, His Royal Majesty, the Alake of Egbaland, charged the ICLED, Business School Consultancy Unit with addressing the issue of Adire adulteration.

“Since then, we have been working diligently to ensure that the correct knowledge and authentic practices are preserved while laying the foundation for the establishment of the Adire Hub in Abeokuta.

“We are not leaving our girls behind. They are creative, brilliant, and innovative. They can create beautiful patterns and designs, and they can experiment to produce the Aro dye used in Adire fabric production,” she noted.

Oluyinka Kufile, the Aro of Egbaland, and the head of Global Adire Egba Development, speaking about the conference, emphasised that Nigeria as a nation, cannot continue to import everything it needs.

“We must manufacture and produce our own goods, not only food but also textiles and other valuable products. That is why our students are here today: to acquire knowledge and practical skills.

“We want to take the girl child off the streets, inspire productive thinking, and prepare her to become the very best she can be as she grows into adulthood,” he said.

Famoloni throwing more light on the Adire mission, said, “About 39 years ago, I worked as an apparel designer and manufacturer in the United States, supplying Adire skirt suits to department stores and designing uniforms for hotels, airlines, restaurants, and other organisations.

“We envision Adire becoming a fabric of choice for corporate wear, school uniforms, security uniforms, and many other professional applications.”

During the research her team found that the cotton fabric for dying was scarce and that businessmen and women, who use the products in Ogun State had to wait for Aba or import.

Hence, the committee formed the Global Adire Egba Development company to establish the Adire Hub in Abeokuta.

“We found a factory to produce the 100 percent cotton ethic is being stored and ready for marketers at the Ake Palace Museum in Abeokuta

“The Alake himself invested funds into the production, and this has helped solve the problem of the scarce white materials for dying,” she stressed.

The Global Adire Egba Development Initiative’s believe that the government will recognise the importance of strengthening this valuable sector within Nigeria’s national value chain, is the push behind movement.

Recall that recently, the federal government announced an intention to change the NYSC uniform with Adire outfits; hence, the group is set to proudly model Adire uniforms as part of its vision.

“We want to share the rich history of Adire, and showcase quality cotton fabrics that can be purchased and transformed into unique Adire designs by textile producers and creative entrepreneurs.

“Our students will participate in a competition, while our team of chemical engineers evaluates and tests the Aro dyes they produce. By the time our Adire Hub is established, it will feature everything related to the heritage and future of Adire, including the Adire Museum, original Adire patterns, the history of Adire, different Adire products, exhibition displays, and Adire bags, shoes, and home décor, among others,” the group emphasised.

Besides, Familone explained that the efforts are geared towards reducing unemployment and idleness.

“Every one of us has a role to play. Kabiyesi has demonstrated remarkable commitment by continuously ensuring that his people have access to knowledge and opportunities.

“The government alone cannot do it all. Together, we must build a future that empowers our youth and preserves our cultural heritage,” she said.