British Council backs CN Daniels Couture to showcase African textiles, heritage via ‘threads of unity’
The British Council has partnered with CN Daniels Couture, a Nigerian fashion outfit, to promote African textiles through a cultural and creative platform, ‘Threads of Unity”, aimed at preserving textile heritage and supporting local producers.
Speaking in Abuja during a press briefing to announce the Thread of Unity, Uju Dubas-Agbassi, programme manager for arts at the British Council in Nigeria, said the initiative is part of the council’s effort to turn creativity into a structured and sustainable industry.
“The creative sector in Nigeria has immense potential,” Dubas-Agbassi said. “Through training, mentorship, and showcasing opportunities, we aim to help creatives harness their talent and grow their businesses locally and internationally.”
Nnamdi Daniels, CN Daniels Couture’s chief executive officer (CEO), explained that the Threads of Unity will highlight the stories behind African fabrics and preserve their history through documentation and archives.
“We want people to identify fabrics, understand their origins, and tell the cultural stories attached to them,” he said.
The initiative also aims to amplify the voices of local weavers and artisans, supporting grassroots producers and increasing demand for African textiles globally.
Maureen Daniels, popularly known as stylist baby Maureen, added that modern fashion adaptations will make traditional fabrics accessible to young people in everyday wear.
Climate change and sustainability consultant Kenneth Offor said the platform will help scale up local producers using sustainable methods and bring international opportunities to grassroots communities.
The British Council selected the project from over 700 applications under its creative showcase programme, with a larger event planned for March. Stakeholders from creative and business sectors, including Nexia Nigeria, attended the briefing.
