FUTA Alumna Ruth Alao Turns Textile Waste into Artwork Exploring Nigerian Identity

A graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ruth Alao, has transformed discarded textile materials into a contemporary artwork depicting the map of Nigeria, using the piece to explore national identity, environmental sustainability and the country's future.

The artwork, titled “STILL BECOMING,” reflects on Nigeria as a nation shaped by the collective actions, values and contributions of its people.

Alao, a textile artist and founder of COCOZZY, graduated from FUTA's Department of Industrial Design, specialising in Textile Design. Her academic background continues to influence her creative practice, which explores the use of textile materials beyond conventional fashion and production for artistic expression and social impact.

The artwork was created using leftover textile materials from the production of Yoruba fila caps for her brand, COCOZZY. Rather than discarding the remnants, Alao repurposed them to create the map of Nigeria, demonstrating how textile waste can be converted into meaningful artistic expressions.

Beyond its environmental message, “STILL BECOMING” examines Nigeria's continuing development, presenting the country as a work in progress rather than a finished product. The artwork suggests that the nation's future depends on what its citizens choose to build, teach, preserve and contribute to society.

Young Nigerians also participated in the creation of the artwork, highlighting the role of younger generations in shaping the country's future. Their involvement reflects the importance of passing down values, knowledge and opportunities that can influence the Nigeria inherited by future generations.

The project forms part of Alao's developing creative direction, which focuses on African textiles, sustainability, cultural identity and contemporary artistic expression.

Through her work, she explores how textile materials and traditional knowledge can be applied in innovative ways to preserve cultural meaning, tell stories and address environmental and other challenges within the textile industry.

With “STILL BECOMING,” the FUTA alumna combines her expertise in textile design with material experimentation and reflections on Nigeria's national identity, demonstrating how discarded materials can acquire new value while communicating broader social messages.