Culture

Oyo State Governor launches traditional dress code initiative to boost local economy

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2025

Oyo State’s new dress code initiative encourages civil servants to wear Aso Oke every Thursday, boosting local artisans and Yoruba culture

Governor Seyi Makinde has introduced a new dress code directive encouraging public servants in Oyo State to wear native attire incorporating Aso Oke fabric every Thursday.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially rolled out a new dress code initiative that will see civil and public servants in the state wear native attire, with a distinct touch of Aso Oke fabric, every Thursday.

This new directive, announced in a circular from the Office of the Head of Service on January 27, 2025, builds upon the existing tradition of wearing native clothing every Friday.

The policy aims to create a vibrant connection between the state workforce and its rich cultural heritage while driving economic transformation within the region.

The initiative encourages Oyo’s public servants to become ambassadors of Yoruba culture and champions of local economic development.

According to the circular, the new dress code is more than just a cultural display—it is a strategic move to preserve Yoruba traditions and stimulate growth in the state’s informal economy.

The policy encourages civil servants to incorporate Aso Oke fabric into their weekly attire, a step that will empower local artisans, weavers, dyers, and tailors.

Governor Makinde emphasized the multifaceted benefits of the policy, stressing that it would create a positive ripple effect on local businesses, contributing to job creation, poverty alleviation, and income generation within the artisan community.

“This initiative is not just about dressing; it’s a strategic effort to validate our cultural identity while uplifting grassroots economies,” the circular read.

By increasing the demand for locally produced fabrics and supporting indigenous crafts, the directive is expected to benefit not only the local textile industry but also the tourism sector, as it showcases the state’s rich cultural heritage to the world.

The administration forecasts that this initiative will lead to increased economic activity in the state’s informal sector, with an emphasis on boosting income levels for local artisans.

Tailors, weavers, and dyers will experience a direct boost in business, while the broader economy will see the effects of an improved informal economy and increased tourism as visitors flock to experience the cultural vibrancy of Oyo State.

This directive aligns with Governor Makinde’s commitment to inclusive development and fostering sustainable growth through local empowerment.

With its focus on cultural pride, local craftsmanship, and economic transformation, Oyo State’s new dress code initiative is set to have a lasting impact on the state’s economy and the preservation of its vibrant Yoruba heritage.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”