Stakeholders in the Aso Oke industry have intensified calls for the Federal Government to secure Geographical Indication (GI) status for the iconic fabric, insisting that Nigeria must officially own one of its most celebrated cultural symbols.
Speaking at the grand finale of the Global Entrepreneurship Week in Ilorin, Dr. Yemisi Adeyeye, co-founder of the Life Fount Foundation, warned that failing to register Aso Oke could blur its identity on the global stage.
“Aso Oke is our indigenous fabric, and I am proud to let the world know that Ilorin is among the top centres for weaving it,” she said. “Nigeria must register Aso Oke as a Geographical Indication so that only fabric woven here can bear the name. It belongs to us, and we must claim it.”
Dr. Adeyeye highlighted the threat of imitation and mass production driven by globalization, stressing that international audiences must clearly recognize the fabric’s Nigerian origin. “We are happy to share its beauty with the world, but everyone must know it is ours,” she said.
She added that Aso Oke has become a global cultural icon, featuring prominently at weddings, festivals, and international fashion events. The planned Aso Oke Fashion Show, and eventually an Aso Oke Fashion Week, will serve as platforms to promote its global appeal while reinforcing its Nigerian roots.
“Aso Oke is trending worldwide because it is unique and beautiful. This fashion show is our way of telling the world that we own it, cherish it, and are ready to promote it,” Dr. Adeyeye noted.
Supporting the call for national protection, Alhaji Dare Abdulganiyu, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kwara State, urged stronger campaigns to boost the fabric’s international profile and economic potential.
“Aso Oke is globally recognised, and
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