By
The Federal Government’s proposal to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire has continued to generate reactions from stakeholders, with theatre participatory artist and cultural practitioner Ajide Adeyemi urging policymakers to prioritise reviving Nigeria’s textile industry rather than limiting local fabric promotion to uniforms.
Speaking with BlackBox Nigeria in response to the proposal, Adeyemi said he supports efforts to promote indigenous products and strengthen the local economy but questioned the practicality of adopting Adire as the primary NYSC uniform.
“What’s the durability of Adire in terms of constant washing?” he asked.
“I support the idea of boosting the local economy, but not with a uniform.”
Adeyemi argued that the conversation should extend beyond NYSC uniforms to rebuilding Nigeria’s once thriving textile manufacturing sector, which has declined over the years due to increased dependence on imported fabrics.
“They should revive Nigeria’s textile industry so they stop importing these foreign fabrics,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria already possesses the entrepreneurial capacity to meet local fabric demands, pointing to textile traders and manufacturers in commercial centres such as Aba and Onitsha.
“Besides, there are Igbo boys in Aba and Onitsha who are into fabrics. They should patronise them,” he added.
Rather than introducing a single fabric across the country, Adeyemi proposed a model that reflects Nigeria’s cultural diversity by incorporating indigenous textiles from different regions into the NYSC experience.
He suggested that corps members should receive locally made fabrics representing the states or regions where they are posted, allowing them to engage more deeply with Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
“Each region should also have the locally made fabrics of where they are posted to serve,” he said.
“All corps members serving in the South West should have a spare of Adire as part of their social wear.”
He added that those posted to the South East should equally receive traditional attire associated with the region.
“Any corps member serving in the eastern parts should have Isiagu.”
Adeyemi noted that such an approach would promote cultural exchange while creating economic opportunities for local textile producers, weavers and artisans across the country instead of concentrating attention on a single fabric.
