Renowned adire artist, Sikira Adunni Aladire, dies at 90
By KEMI KASUMU
A devout Muslim deeply rooted in her faith and Yoruba traditions, Aladire was also known for her love of traditional music, particularly Apala and Dundun, and was celebrated in her neighborhood for her vibrant dancing and community spirit.
Grandma Sikira Adunni Aladire, a respected traditional textile artist and cultural figure in Ibadan, has died at the age of 90.
She passed away in the early hours of Monday, 2 March 2026, at her residence in Ile Toki, No. N1/506 Balogun Ibikunle Street, Ayeye, Ibadan, Oyo State capital. She was laid to rest later the same day in accordance with Islamic rites.
Born in the mid-1950s era of pre-independence Nigeria, Aladire built a reputation as a highly skilled practitioner of adire, the traditional Yoruba tie-and-dye textile art. Trained as a young woman, she became known for her intricate cultural patterns and creative designs on locally made fabrics for both ceremonial and everyday wear.
Her craftsmanship earned her the nickname “Sikira Aladire,” a reflection of her mastery of the art form. Ile Toki became widely recognized for its quality tie-and-dye products, attracting visitors, including foreign patrons during the colonial period, who came to admire and purchase the textiles. Some of the works were exported internationally, highlighting the cultural heritage of the community.
A devout Muslim deeply rooted in her faith and Yoruba traditions, Aladire was also known for her love of traditional music, particularly Apala and Dundun, and was celebrated in her neighborhood for her vibrant dancing and community spirit.
She is survived by her children — the late Sarah Alimi, Abibat Alimi, Suleiman Azeez and Latifat Balogun — as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and extended family members.
The seven-day Fidau prayer will be held at 12 noon on Sunday, 8 March 2026, at her residence in Ile Toki, Ayeye, Ibadan.
Family head Alhaji Ganiyu Oladimeji, who announced her passing, described her as a caring mother and cultural icon whose legacy in traditional textile artistry will endure for generations.
