By Erewunmi Peace

A respected custodian of Yoruba traditional textile art, Grandma Sikira Adunni Aladire, has passed away at the age of 90.

The iconic Adire artisan reportedly died on Monday, March 2, 2026, at her residence in Ibadan, Oyo State. She was laid to rest the same day in accordance with Islamic rites.

Grandma Sikira, widely known for her mastery of Adire, the traditional Yoruba tie-and-dye textile craft, dedicated several decades of her life to preserving and promoting indigenous fabric artistry. Her journey in the craft began in the 1950s, during which she built a reputation for intricate patterns, cultural symbolism, and authentic dyeing techniques that attracted admirers both within and outside Nigeria.

Over the years, she became a household name in the local textile industry and a source of inspiration to younger generations of artisans. Many credit her with sustaining traditional methods of indigo dyeing at a time when modern textile production threatened indigenous craftsmanship.

Family members described her as a hardworking, disciplined, and culturally rooted woman whose legacy will continue through her children, apprentices, and the countless fabrics she produced.

Her death marks the end of an era in the Adire community, but her impact on Yoruba cultural heritage remains enduring.