Madam Sikira Adunni Aladire, widely known as “Grandma Sikira,” a renowned Yoruba traditional textile ‘Adire’ artisan, has died at the age of 90.
Gatekeepers News reports that her family announced that she passed away in the early hours of March 2, 2026, at her residence in Ile Toki, Ayeye area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to a statement issued by the head of the family, Alhaji Ganiyu Oladimeji, the nonagenarian was buried the same day in accordance with Islamic burial rites. Family members also scheduled a seven-day fidau prayer for March 8, 2026, at her residence in Ibadan.
Grandma Sikira gained recognition for her exceptional mastery of Adire, the traditional Yoruba tie-and-dye textile craft. She began learning the art as a young woman and later became widely admired for creating intricate cultural patterns on locally produced fabrics used for both ceremonial occasions and everyday clothing.
Her reputation in the craft dates back to the mid-1950s before Nigeria’s independence, when visitors, including foreign buyers and colonial residents, frequently visited Ile Toki to admire and purchase the colourful fabrics she produced. Some of her works were eventually exported abroad, helping to showcase Yoruba textile heritage internationally.
Beyond her craftsmanship, the late Aladire was known in her community for her deep commitment to Islam and Yoruba cultural traditions. She was also celebrated for her love of traditional music such as Apala and Dundun, often entertaining neighbours with lively dancing during social gatherings.
She is survived by several children, including Abibat Alimi, Suleiman Azeez, and Latifat Balogun, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other extended family members. Her daughter Sarah Alimi had died earlier.
Family members described her as a caring matriarch whose legacy in the Adire textile tradition and community life will continue to inspire future generations of artisans and cultural enthusiasts.
