Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Definitely if you are into African art and handicrafts. "Mama Africa" is a great market for those items, and I "befriended" a vendor there who has been hunting for some interesting "antiques" from other provinces for me. Hilton also has a small market, which has interesting artworks I haven't seen at Mama Africa. Masks, furniture, fabrics, and bronze statues/items are interesting things to buy. - Sep 2019
No. Not really. I've collected art from all over the world and while there are arts, etc. It is very specifically Falani and you have to like that sort of thing. - Feb 2019
Not really. Some people go to the market and get some African items to only find out they were made in China. - Apr 2018
There are shops at the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels, and people buy Nigerian furniture from a number of vendors. The tailoring is mostly bad and not recommended, but if you do find one, please share him or her. I have been here two years and have not yet found a tailor. There is local rum, and there are many locally-made beverages which are worth a try. - Jun 2016
A little bit of local art. The best values can be found at the Sheraton Crafts Village. - Aug 2015
Local art and crafts. - Jun 2015
Nothing. - Nov 2014
There are some local stuff - carvings, local artists for paintings. - Aug 2014
You can get a lot of cheap Nigerian art - not of it super high quality - but there are one or two places selling expensive high quality stuff. You can buy very cheap West African fabric (in 6 yard packs) which is good for making quilts. - May 2014
Wooden furniture carved to order, large paintings, bronze statues. - May 2013
There is some old Nigerian furniture that is worth purchasing, but you have to be "in the know" in regards to what the real antiques are. A lot of African knickknacks for sale are actually imported from other countries. - Jun 2009
Haha that's funny. Unique, LOCAL items? How about unique items that are brought in from other African countries? - Sep 2008
Almost none. Abuja is nearly devoid of the charming crafts you find in other parts of Africa (there is a craft market or two). - Aug 2008
There is nothing really unique to Nigeria, it's all mostly Africrap, however, there are some nice masks and pottery available. - Jul 2008
