The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially unveiled the OneNigeria/UnityFabric, which she described as a symbol of national unity. The fabric was designed by Miss Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, a 25-year-old graduate of the University of Ibadan, who won a fabric design competition organized by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), chaired by the First Lady. For her exceptional design, Bamidele was awarded a cash prize of ₦25 million.
During her keynote address at the unveiling ceremony, which took place on Monday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Senator Tinubu explained that the idea for a national unity fabric was inspired by her visit to Zimbabwe in December 2023. During that visit, she observed a similar initiative that aimed to unify the country through a national fabric, and she felt it would be a meaningful concept to introduce in Nigeria.
She recounted how the OneNigeria/UnityFabric competition was launched in February 2024, inviting youths aged 15-25 to submit designs that would symbolize Nigeria’s unity. The competition received 111 entries, which were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges. These judges included fashion industry icon Princess Zainab Abba Folawiyo, who has over 60 years of experience in the field, and international textile designer Miss Banke Kuku, among other friends and members of the RHI.
Senator Tinubu praised the rigorous selection process and thanked both the judges and the Governing Board of the RHI for their efforts in ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation. She expressed her joy at the unveiling of the OneNigeria/UnityFabric and congratulated Miss Bamidele for her outstanding work.
“Today, my heart is filled with joy as we witness the unveiling of the #OneNigeriaUnity Fabric, the announcement of the competition winner, and the prize presentation ceremony. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Miss Bamidele Mofiyinfoluwa for her fantastic design,” said Tinubu.
She also shared the inspiration behind the initiative, explaining how her visit to Zimbabwe and the launch of the #WeAreEqual Unifying Campaign by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) led her to adopt the idea of a national fabric. She felt that such a fabric could represent Nigeria’s cultural diversity while promoting unity across tribal and regional lines.
“When I returned from Zimbabwe, I presented the idea at a meeting of the Governing Council of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and to my surprise, everyone was excited about it. The #OneNigeriaUnity Fabric competition was subsequently launched in February 2024, calling on youths between 15 and 25 years old to create a design for a national unity fabric,” she said.
The competition closed on June 30, 2024, and by July 2, a panel of experts, including Princess Zainab Abba Folawiyo and Miss Banke Kuku, were invited to evaluate the submissions. After a careful and detailed review of the 111 entries, the panel selected the winning design, which was unveiled at the event.
Senator Tinubu also announced that the new national fabric would be worn across Nigeria during the Independence Day celebrations on October 1, 2024. Furthermore, the fabric would be mass-produced by local manufacturers to boost the country’s textile industry, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
She emphasized that the project is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on fostering creativity, supporting local enterprises, and promoting national identity and unity.
“I would like to thank all those who submitted entries. We received designs from Nigerians across the country, as well as from the diaspora, five of whom are present today. Each submission reflects the incredible talent we have in Nigeria, and I applaud every participant for their contribution. While we can only have one winner, I encourage you all to continue nurturing your creativity and pursuing your passions,” she added.
In her remarks, Hajia Nana Shettima, the National Vice Chairman of the RHI and wife of the Vice President, highlighted the importance of the fabric initiative in promoting unity and creativity across Nigeria. She noted that the competition encourages Nigerians to prioritize national identity over tribal or ethnic affiliations.
Shettima also revealed that 200,000 pieces of the national unity fabric would be produced and distributed, with significant allocations to Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, as well as other key stakeholders across the country.
The event was graced by various dignitaries, including the wives of state governors, the spouses of National Assembly leaders, and the wives of security chiefs. Other notable attendees included former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, and former First Ladies, including Mrs. Ajoke Muritala Muhammad, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, and Dame Patience Jonathan.
