Alhaji Hajiya Gambo Sarwari

Pioneering Nigerian entrepreneur and advocate for women's economic empowerment through textile innovation

Alhaji Hajiya Gambo Sarwari (1902-1985) was a visionary entrepreneur from northern Nigeria who revolutionized the textile industry and empowered women through her innovative business practices. Born in Sokoto, she began her career in the 1930s during a period when women were largely excluded from formal economic activities. Recognizing the potential of the local textile sector, she established one of Nigeria's first modern textile mills, Gambo Sarwari Textile Mill, which combined traditional weaving techniques with modern machinery.

Her most significant contribution was creating a network of women-owned weaving cooperatives across northern Nigeria. By 1950, her initiatives provided livelihoods for over 5,000 women, making her a pioneer in gender-inclusive economic development. Sarwari's 1953 invention of the "Sokoto Pattern" fabric blend became a cultural icon, featured prominently in the Nigerian independence celebrations of 1960. She also founded the Northern Women's Trading Association in 1965, which remains influential today.

Her legacy endures through the Gambo Sarwari Heritage Foundation, which continues promoting women's entrepreneurship. Recent exhibitions at the African Economic History Museum highlight her role in transforming Nigeria's informal economy.