Our Story
Crafting sustainable, functional beauty since 2020
Our Beginning
TotebagsTribe began in 2020 in Ilorin, Nigeria, when our founder Salma Damilola Jiddah noticed two opportunities: the growing need for sustainable alternatives to plastic bags, and the desire for meaningful, practical souvenirs at Nigerian celebrations and events.
With a background in textile design and a passion for reducing waste, Salma set out to create tote bags that would serve dual purposes - as everyday carriers that people would genuinely love to use, and as perfect customizable gifts for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations.
What started as a small workshop creating custom totes for local events quickly expanded as word spread. People weren't just buying bags; they were connecting with our mission of sustainability and celebration. Within a year, TotebagsTribe grew from Salma's solo venture to a team of talented local artisans, each bringing their unique skills and shared commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Our Values
Sustainability
We use eco-friendly materials and processes that minimize our environmental footprint.
Ethical Production
We ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for everyone involved in creating our products.
Quality Craftsmanship
Each bag is meticulously crafted to last for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Circular Design
We design with the entire lifecycle in mind, creating products that can be repaired, repurposed, or recycled.
Our Materials
We carefully select materials that align with our commitment to sustainability and durability:
Organic Canvas
Grown without harmful pesticides or fertilizers, our GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas is both durable and gentle on the environment.
Natural Jute
A renewable plant fiber that requires minimal water and no pesticides to grow, creating sturdy, biodegradable bags with a distinctive texture.
Vegetable-Tanned Leather
For our leather accents, we use only vegetable-tanned leather, free from harmful chromium and processed using natural tannins from tree bark.
Our Impact
We believe that business can be a force for positive change in Nigeria and beyond. That's why we:
- Source materials locally whenever possible to support Nigerian suppliers
- Provide fair employment opportunities for artisans in Ilorin
- Offer repair services to extend the life of our products
- Use minimal, eco-friendly packaging
- Create custom designs for events that become keepsakes rather than disposable items
Since our founding in 2020, we estimate that our customers have prevented over 500,000 single-use plastic bags from entering landfills by switching to our reusable totes. Additionally, our event souvenirs have transformed thousands of celebrations with meaningful, practical gifts that guests actually use.
Plastic bags saved
Events supplied with custom totes
Custom event bags created
Salma Damilola Jiddah
Founder & CEO
With a background in textile design and a passion for sustainability, Salma founded TotebagsTribe in 2020 with a vision to create beautiful, functional tote bags that serve both everyday needs and special occasions. Her commitment to quality craftsmanship and environmental responsibility drives every aspect of the business.
Event & Celebration Totes
Beyond everyday use, our totes have become a popular choice for Nigerian celebrations and events. We offer custom printing and personalization services to create memorable souvenirs for:
- Wedding favors with the couple's names and date
- Corporate events and conferences
- Family celebrations and reunions
- Religious ceremonies and milestones
- Promotional gifts for businesses
Our event totes combine practicality with sentiment, giving your guests a keepsake they'll actually use long after the celebration ends. We work closely with event planners and hosts to create designs that perfectly capture the spirit of each occasion.
From small batches of 20 bags for intimate gatherings to orders of 500+ for large corporate events, we handle projects of all sizes with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Join Our Journey
Every TotebagsTribe purchase is more than just a transaction—it's a step toward sustainability and meaningful gifting. Browse our collection for everyday use or contact us about custom orders for your next celebration.