Uniform Design for Secondary School Students Reflecting Regional Cultural Identity in Zamfara State

Secondary school uniform design in Nigeria is predominantly standardised at the national level, offering limited scope for regional cultural expression. This project investigates the development of an alternative secondary school uniform concept for public schools in Zamfara State, North West Nigeria, that incorporates elements of Hausa-Fulani textile and colour traditions while maintaining the functional requirements of a school uniform. A stakeholder engagement process involving students, parents, teachers, and community leaders across Gusau, Kaura Namoda, and Tsafe local government areas gathered perspectives on cultural significance, modesty standards, comfort, and durability. Drawing on fieldwork into Zamfara's adire dyeing tradition and Hausa embroidery patterns, this project develops a uniform concept comprising a tunic shirt with geometric embroidery collar detailing for boys and a blouse with complementary printed fabric border panels for girls. Fabric specifications prioritise locally woven cotton available in Gusau market. Prototype uniforms were assessed by a panel of thirty students and fifteen parents for comfort, ease of care, perceived cultural pride, and cost. Ninety-one percent of respondents expressed preference for the culturally informed prototype over the standard national uniform design. Production cost estimates confirm comparability with current uniform prices. The project recommends that Zamfara State Ministry of Education commission a pilot programme adopting the designed uniform across three local government areas. Keywords: school uniform design, cultural identity, Zamfara State, Hausa textile, regional expression.