In a remarkable blend of royalty, culture, enterprise, and academic engagement, Her Royal Majesty, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, made a distinguished appearance at Lead City University, Ibadan, for the Omoge Asa 2026 Adire Workshop.
The event, themed around the preservation and commercialization of indigenous creativity, brought together students, aspiring beauty queens, cultural enthusiasts, and members of the university community for an immersive Adire-making experience.
Olori Aderonke, through her Adire Oodua initiative, played a central role throughout the programme, guiding participants through the creative process, interacting with trainees, and reinforcing the importance of preserving Yoruba heritage through practical enterprise.
From dyeing techniques and fabric design to the unveiling of finished works, the workshop created an atmosphere of excitement, learning, and cultural pride as participants showcased their practical outcomes.
Speaking during the programme, Olori Aderonke emphasized that Adire is more than just fabric, describing it as a symbol of Yoruba identity, creativity, resilience, and economic opportunity.
She noted that young people must begin to see indigenous crafts not as relics of the past, but as valuable tools for self-expression, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.
“Culture remains one of our strongest assets as a people. Through Adire, we are not only preserving our heritage, we are creating opportunities for young people to build businesses, develop skills, and proudly represent who we are as Africans,” Olori Aderonke said.
She further encouraged students to embrace local crafts, stressing that the future belongs to those who can combine tradition with innovation.
Drawing from her own journey, Olori Aderonke noted that although she studied Law as her first degree at the university level, she later discovered purpose and fulfilment in fashion, culture, and creative enterprise. She encouraged students not to feel limited by their academic backgrounds, emphasizing that passion, vision, and consistency can open doors far beyond one’s original field of study.
The workshop also highlighted the growing impact of Adire Oodua as a platform committed to promoting Yoruba textile heritage while empowering women and young people through practical skills acquisition.
Participants were taken through the step-by-step Adire production process and later presented their finished works in what became one of the most exciting moments of the event.
Many of the students expressed excitement over the opportunity to learn directly from experienced trainers under the leadership and inspiration of Olori Aderonke.
Prof. Anjola Robbin, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Lead City University and initiator of Omoge Asa, commended Olori Aderonke and the Adire Oodua team for bringing cultural value and practical knowledge into the academic environment.
According to Prof. Robbin, the workshop was designed not only to celebrate beauty and culture, but also to ensure that young people understand the importance of preserving heritage while building sustainable futures.
“We wanted something beyond the usual pageantry activities. We wanted participants to gain a real skill, connect with Yoruba culture, and understand that our traditions can also create jobs, businesses, and global opportunities. Having Olori Aderonke and Adire Oodua here gave the programme even greater meaning and impact,” she said.
As part of the visit, Olori Aderonke was also received by the Vice-Chancellor at his office, where both sides reflected on the importance of strengthening the connection between academia, culture, and enterprise.
Prof. Adeyemo commended Olori Aderonke for her commitment to preserving Yoruba heritage through Adire Oodua, noting that universities must continue to create room for practical cultural learning alongside academic excellence.
He noted that institutions of higher learning have a responsibility not only to educate minds, but also to preserve identity and inspire innovation. He added that what Olori Aderonke is doing through Adire Oodua gives young people an opportunity to see culture not merely as tradition, but as a viable path for creativity, business, and leadership.
The workshop was organized by the Faculty of Arts and the Lead City Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation under the theme, “Threads of Heritage: Turning Adire Craft into Creative Enterprise.” It was created specifically for Omoge Asa cultural pageantry contestants and students of Lead City University, while also featuring a photo and networking session with the Queen.
The event reinforced the growing relevance of indigenous knowledge systems within modern academic institutions and showed how universities can become spaces where culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship intersect.
For many in attendance, the presence of Olori Aderonke brought not only royal prestige but also authenticity, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the values of heritage, identity, and empowerment.
As the Omoge Asa 2026 continues, the workshop at Lead City University will be remembered as more than a training session. It was a cultural statement, one that demonstrated that Adire, heritage, and indigenous enterprise still have a powerful place in shaping the future of young Nigerians.
