Tucked within the Central Business District of Abuja, between the Silverbird Gallery and the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, lies the Abuja Arts and Crafts Village — a lively marketplace where creativity meets culture. The village bursts with colour and character, filled with works of art crafted by talented local artisans. From sculpted warriors on horseback to beaded necklaces, traditional leather bags, tie-and-dye clothing, and African masks, the market offers a fascinating glimpse into Nigeria’s artistic heritage.
The village itself is a piece of art. Its shops are built with round red-earth walls and thatched roofs, mirroring traditional African architecture. The artisans, though they work independently, are members of the African Arts and Cultural Heritage Association (AACHA) — a community that unites creative minds from across the country.
Passion and Skill
Owolabi, a painter from Osun State, describes art as an inseparable part of his life. Without formal training, he learned by apprenticing under a master artist, spending a year developing his talent in painting, woodwork, carving, and sculpture.
“Painting is part of me and my talent,” he says proudly. “I attached myself to my boss and used that period to develop my skills.”
Nearby, another artist, Godwin, displays a variety of handmade items — skin bags, shoes, bronze paintings, and Ankara bags. He explains that most of his customers are foreigners, but heavy customs charges make it difficult for them to take their purchases abroad.
“We have to reduce our prices to help them afford customs fees,” he laments. “Arts should be duty-free. The government cannot provide jobs, yet they are not encouraging those of us who are self-employed.”
Godwin’s love for art runs in the family — his father was a sculptor. Though he once dreamed of a career in science, life’s circumstances led him to art, where he now finds purpose and livelihood.
Struggles and Strength
The economic reality is not lost on the artists. Alhaji Idris Mohammed, from Kano, has been in the business for six years and believes trading art is still better than chasing white-collar jobs.
“The business is good,” he says, displaying animal tusks, ebony wood carvings, and art pieces from Kenya and Ghana. “Foreigners love our works, but fear of high taxes at the airports often discourages them.”
At another stall, James, who runs a barbershop within the centre, shares a quieter perspective:
“Our preachers asked us to stop complaining, so we don’t complain. The little we get helps us solve one problem or another — but it can be better,” he says with a smile.
Gems, Beads, and Cultural Value
One of the standout sections of the village is Sabarari Kautal Hore, a shop known for gemstones, jewellery, beads, and other precious stones. Its Managing Director, Ibrahim Mohammed, says most of his customers are Chinese.
“We thank God, business is good,” he says. “When someone is crying, another person is smiling.”
He adds that language barriers have pushed him to learn a bit of Chinese to communicate better with his clients.
Art, Identity, and Hope
For Ras Gad, another artist at the centre, the biggest challenge remains lack of government support.
“Recession is affecting sales,” he says. “The government owns the National Council of Arts and Culture, but they don’t take art seriously. Countries like Ethiopia and Ghana depend on tourism, but here, we pay lip service to it.”
He believes a stronger appreciation for art could transform Nigeria’s cultural and fashion industries.
“If there’s a law that requires officials to wear native attire one day each week, our fashion industry will bloom,” he insists.
“Art is life — the way you dress, the way you talk, it’s all art. Every civilization is preceded by art, and artists create the visual image of it.”
Conclusion
The Abuja Arts and Crafts Village is more than just a marketplace — it’s a living museum of creativity, resilience, and identity. Despite economic challenges and limited government support, the artisans here continue to shape Nigeria’s story with their hands and hearts.
As Ras Gad put it best:
“The paintings on my wall bring happiness to me. I have a passion for art — and that’s enough reason to keep going.”