Oluremi Tinubu Donates N2 Billion to Boost Akwete Fabric In Abia

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a N2 billion donation to Abia State for the preservation and expansion of Akwete fabric, one of the country’s most treasured traditional hand-woven textiles. 

The pledge was made during her visit to Aba on Tuesday, where she told weavers, cultural leaders, and government officials that the time had come to take the ancient craft from local pride to the national stage.

Akwete fabric originates from Akwete town in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. 

It is produced by women on vertical looms using cotton, raffia, and silk, and is widely celebrated for its bold colours and intricate geometric patterns handed down through generations. 

Senator Tinubu expressed deep admiration for the skill and dedication of the women weavers, describing the craft as a sacred inheritance made with love, patience, and endurance. 

She urged the entire Igbo community, particularly prominent sons and daughters of the land, to rise and collectively protect a tradition that anchors identity and history. 

A people who abandon their cultural heritage, she warned, risk losing their sense of belonging entirely.

Governor Alex Otti and his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, welcomed the donation warmly, calling it a transformational investment for the state. 

Otti noted that his administration has been collaborating with the Akwete weaving community since 2023 to reposition the industry for greater economic impact, and is now integrating modern technology to improve production quality and global reach. 

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South Senatorial District also pledged personal involvement in the construction of a new dedicated weaving centre, describing the women of Akwete as the true bedrock of the community.

In a moment that drew resounding applause, the First Lady made a personal promise that if President Bola Tinubu wins a second term in the 2027 presidential election, she would honour the Oluremi Tinubu N2 billion Akwete fabric initiative by appearing at the inauguration ceremony dressed in a wrapper and buba woven from the iconic material. 

The Abia Council of Traditional Rulers, in recognition of her generosity and her strong voice for Nigerian women, conferred on her the title of Ugo Nwanyi Abia — Pride of Abia Women.