First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday pledged N2billion to support production at Akwete, the hand‑woven fabric long associated with South-Eastern textile craft.
The First Lady said the move aims to preserve cultural heritage and boost local industries.
Speaking during a visit to Akwete’s weaving site in Abia State, the First Lady described her intervention as both cultural preservation and an economic opportunity for women weavers and younger generations.
“The tradition of the Akwete handmade fabric is dear to the hearts of the women who make it,” she said, urging families to pass the craft to youth and encouraging wider adoption of traditional dress.
She said the craft carries spiritual as well as cultural significance.
“It is a sacred craft done with love, patience, endurance and that should not be desecrated,” she said, noting she had seen younger family members learning the techniques. “We can build on it, which will tell the story.”
In a statement by Busola Kukoyi, her Senior Special Assistant, Media the First Lady appealed to Igbo leaders and Nigerians broadly to promote Akwete beyond the region. She also acknowledged longstanding complaints about facilities at the production site and said the donation would help renovate and expand infrastructure.
The First Lady received a chieftaincy title, Ugo Nwanyi of Abia, during the visit. She was welcomed at the site by Abia Governor Alex Otti, his wife Priscilla Otti, traditional rulers, politicians and clergy.
The pledge follows a broader national conversation about how cultural industries might be leveraged for rural development and women’s employment. Analysts say successful revival of artisanal textiles typically requires parallel investments in market access, supply chains and skills training to convert cultural value into sustainable income.
