Obasanjo Advocates for National Adire Craft Preservation

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo urged the establishment of a national institution dedicated to preserving Nigeria's indigenous Adire textile craft. He made this call on Friday during a guided tour of the annual Ecobank Adire exhibit at the bank's corporate headquarters in Lagos.

The event, themed "Thread Across Borders," was curated by Dr. Odun Orimolad and attended by Ecobank Nigeria's Managing Director, Jubril Lawal, along with cultural stakeholders and local artisans.

Obasanjo stressed that the preservation of the Adire craft should transcend regional efforts and become a national priority. He recounted historical challenges faced by artisan groups and highlighted the need for a permanent visual platform to showcase Nigeria's cultural assets.

Obasanjo warned of the potential loss of traditional knowledge among younger generations due to formal education and emphasized the economic value locked within the fabric industry. He called for immediate corporate leadership to support this initiative, with Ecobank confirming its commitment to anchor the project.