Nike Art Gallery Abuja

Nike Art Gallery is the Abuja outpost of one of Nigeria's best-known art institutions. It belongs to Nike Davies-Okundaye, the textile artist and gallerist widely known as Mama Nike, whose galleries in Lagos, Oshogbo and Ogidi have long been destinations for collectors and visitors interested in Nigerian art. Her flagship in Lekki, Lagos, is a five-storey building holding around 8,000 works.

The Abuja gallery stands on Airport Road at Piwoyi Village, on the route between the city and the airport. It was expanded on its existing site and reopened in March 2023, a month Nike chose because it is international women's month, after the original space became too small. The new building includes a textile museum, reflecting Nike's own background as a textile artist, as well as a training centre for women and young people. The gallery says it has trained more than 3,000 Nigerians over the years.

Inside, expect a large display of work by Nigerian artists alongside the textile collection. The opening featured cultural troupes from Bwari, Oshogbo, Ogidi-Ijumu and Edo State, and music and dance remain part of the gallery's identity. It is a good place to understand the variety of contemporary Nigerian art, and to ask about buying a piece to take home if something catches your eye.

Allow an hour or more. Take your time, and ask staff about the artists and techniques behind the works that interest you. If you are interested in textiles, ask whether a dyeing demonstration or workshop can be arranged. The gallery is included on organised city tours, such as Motley Travels' Abuja city tour, which is an easy way to visit without arranging your own transport.

Officials at the opening presented the expanded gallery as a boost for tourism in the capital, and tour operators said they would promote it to visitors. Nike has long championed women artists, and support for female artists and the gallery's training work remain central to what it does, so it is worth asking about any classes or events running during your stay.

Because it is on Airport Road, the gallery fits neatly into an arrival or departure day, together with a photo stop at the Abuja City Gate. Taxis and ride-hailing cars can take you there from the city centre.