Ogun monarch backs Adire industrialisation, global expansion

Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has intensified efforts to transform traditional Adire production into modern industry in such a way that the ancient local tie-and-dye fabric would remain another huge source of foreign exchange for

Just as Global Àdìrẹ Ẹ̀gbá Development Limited unveiled plans to modernise Àdìrẹ production, empower young entrepreneurs and position the indigenous textile industry to capture a share of the international market.

The Project Coordinator, Prof. Olajumoke Familoni, disclosed this on Friday at the second edition of the Àdìrẹ Hub, held at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, where traders showcased different creatively designed Àdìrẹ fabrics, clothing and other products.

Familoni said the initiative was designed to move Àdìrẹ beyond its traditional market through improved production skills, better product packaging, mechanisation and access to international markets.

She explained that the Àdìrẹ Hub would form part of the proposed Àdìrẹ Village, adding that registered traders would receive support to promote their products for export and expand the value chain to include bedsheets, duvets, rugs, jewellery and other products.

“Our goal is for Àdìrẹ to become a recognised global product and brand. We want to bring in the younger generation, expose them to modern markets and introduce them to international opportunities, including the African Continental Free Trade Area,” she said.

“The proposed Àdìrẹ Village would feature production workshops, retail outlets, a training centre, museum and library, while efforts are ongoing to secure support from the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole”.

Familoni also stressed the need to mechanise Àdìrẹ production to enable local manufacturers to compete with imported textile products from countries such as China and India. She said the mechanisation process had commenced under the leadership of Balogun Ake.

Expressing optimism about the proposed partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Familoni said the initiative would require patience, commitment and sustained efforts to achieve its objectives.

“Rome was not built in a day. Because of that, we just keep going, remaining persistent in everything we are trying to achieve,” she said.

Also speaking, the Director of ICLED, Dr Tunde Bajela, said the vision of the Global Adire Egba Development Limited was to transform Àdìrẹ into a global textile brand capable of capturing at least one per cent of the global textile market, estimated at $`1tn, within 10 years of the company’s establishment in 2024.

He said achieving the target could translate into a market share worth more than $10bn, creating employment opportunities and helping to reduce poverty in Egbaland.

Bajela identified the proposed Àdìrẹ Village as a major strategy for achieving the ambition, explaining that it would provide a platform for businesses across the textile value chain to collaborate, expand production and access funding from development institutions, including the Bank of Industry and the Development Bank of Nigeria.

He added that the village would also host an annual Àdìrẹ Festival to showcase art, culture, fashion and music, attract international attention and boost tourism.

According to him, the initiative is engaging the Ogun State Government over land allocation in Abeokuta and has also opened discussions with SMEDAN to lease an identified property for the proposed village.

He expressed optimism that SMEDAN would provide the necessary institutional support to mobilise operators in the tie-and-dye industry and help them expand their businesses.

The event also featured entertainment by a children’s troupe, while Àdìrẹ vendors displayed their products as part of efforts to promote the indigenous textile industry and attract wider patronage.