Art and Culture in Abuja
Nike Art Village
Nike Art Village, located just 10 minutes from The Nordic Abuja on Airport Road in Lugbe, is open daily from 8am to 7pm. The Abuja branch—one of four across Nigeria—features stone statues, carved huts with animal-shaped roofs, and an outdoor exhibition space. Artists and teachers live on-site, offering workshops in African dance, drumming, and custom art classes. You can also join tours to other Nike Villages, museums, and galleries.
Thought Art Pyramid Art Gallery
Located at 62 Parakou Crescent, Wuse II, this gallery is open daily from 8am to 8pm. A creative hub in Abuja, it supports artists through training programs, a modern exhibition space, and a library focused on Nigerian and African art. Visitors are welcome to explore and purchase original works by some of Nigeria’s finest artists.
Abuja Art and Craft Village
Located behind the Musa Yar’adua Centre in the Central Business District, this arts and crafts village is open daily from 8am until late. Visitors can explore thatch-roofed huts made of red clay, showcasing traditional Nigerian art, including sculptures, masks, beadwork, leather goods, and more. Food and drink stalls are also available.
Bwari Pottery Village
Located next to the Nigerian Law School on Old Suleja Road, Bwari, this pottery village is open daily from 8am to 6pm. Known for its palm-thatched roofs, arrowhead windows, and gallery-style studio, it trains a new generation of potters while promoting creativity and cultural exchange. The on-site shop offers a range of handcrafted items, from vases and teapots to lanterns and casserole dishes. Contact: +234 803 452 8805.
The Yar’Adua Foundation
Located on One Memorial Drive, close to Silverbird Shopping Centre, the Yar’adua Foundation was established in memory of General Shehu Musa Yar’adua. It features a library, conference facilities, gift shop, exhibition halls, and archives of the late leader’s speeches, photos, and biography. The centre also runs charity programs and the Yar’adua Merit Scholars initiative. Contact: +234 9524 0021 / 0022 | www.yaraduacentre.org
National Mosque
This building is one of the most beautiful places in Abuja. It is located opposite to the National Christian Centre on the Independence Avenue, in the Central Business District, which is found southward to the ring-road. It was built in 1984 and stands out with its huge gold dome and four tall minarets. The mosque is open to non-muslims during non-prayer times, and in it there is a library and conference room.
National Christian Centre
Located also at the Independence Avenue, Central Business District, the National Christian Centre (also known as the Nigerian Ecumenical Centre) has a great masterpiece of a glinting copper-coloured roof, with pivotal arches, huge organ, and a choir rehearsal room. It also has a marble central altar floor which completes a rotation every ten minutes. This Centre has an 8,000 congregational capacity, with tours at non-prayer times.
Abuja National Stadium
Constructed in 2003, this magnificent place is located on the Airport road. It is a centre for large scale social, cultural and religious events. This building also meets the highest international facility standard. That is; a 60,491 capacity, corporate, presidential suites and boxes, media centre, banks, post offices, indoor sports hall, swimming pool etc.