NIGERIA is renowned for its crafts and the skills of its craftsmen for hundreds of years. Nigeria and African handicrafts are considered across the globe as the most original and unique hand-made possessions. Many countries are interested in patronizing the works of Nigerian craftsmen because Nigerian crafts convey designs which are distinctively Nigerian, reflecting our culture.
Foreigners are interested in handicrafts that depict the culture of the African people. Such crafts which portray the culture of traditional societies offer a lot of attraction and appeal to foreigners, especially the developed countries who want to know more about societies through arts and handicrafts.
Considering the varieties of handicrafts in Nigeria and the fact that many countries are interested in Nigerian handicrafts, interested exporters stand the chance of earning substantial income through exportation of arts and handicrafts. With the necessary modern technology at the disposal of Nigerian crafts people and adequate governments support, no country in the world can beat Nigeria in the production of saleable arts and crafts.
The project
The project is the export of handicraft to earn foreign exchange and become rich. Although traditional arts have disappeared in many places because of the decline of traditional institutions which supported them and competition from automation and cheaper imported materials, it has been shown in many cases that the competition of Manchester, India, Japan, and Hong Kong can be withstood. The heavy demand for Abuja pottery, ability of our crafts people to adapt to new materials, tools and technology resulting in many innovations like thorn and ebony carvings, the use of new dyes and new textile designs coupled with government support, and the new foreign interests in Nigerian crafts are clear manifestations of continued thriving of production and export of Nigerian handicrafts.
Product sourcing
Various types of handicrafts are produced and are available all the year round in various states of Nigeria. A great number of arts and handicrafts now on demand abroad abound at exportable quantities in different parts of the country.
Leather and leather products are produced in large quantities in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Plateau State, and Adamawa. Richly decorated leather works exist in Oyo State.
Textile materials, one of the most intricate handicrafts of Nigeria is highly renowned for the rich variety of designs, colour and production techniques with which they are imbued. Traditionally, both men and women of Ibadan, Abeokuta, Okene, Osogbo, Kano, Oyo, Bida, Ado-Ekiti, Ishan, Jukun, and Akwete areas engage in weaving, sewing and selling of locally designed clothes of all kinds. Sokoto is famous for high quality woven hats and tie and dye. While the Yorubas of Western Nigeria remain the major producers of Adire wear, a special Yoruba traditional wear that is today worn all over the world by both rich and poor.
Pottery is synonymous with Abuja whose reputation has led to high demand for its ceramics from all over the world. Also, rich pottery craftsmanship and tradition exist in Ishiagu, Afikpo in Ebonyi state, Jos (Naraguta), Zaria, Dakakari and Yola, Akoko-Ado, Aboh, Ife and Abeokuta.
Calabash carving are found in Oyo state. Places like Plateau, Bauchi, Sokoto and Yobe also produce richly decorative and good burnt-on or engraved geometric designed calabashes which are widely used for everyday needs as containers, bowls, etc.
Metals and wood carvings: These are also decorative craft works available in Edo, Bida, etc. Decorative combs and hairpins and popular with Efik women. Metal artworks are produced in Borno, Benin, Ife, Owo, Kano, Bida, Igbo-Ukwu. These iron, bronze, brass and copper art works are used in fashioning highly priced tools, weapons, household, utensils and ornaments. Wood carving abound in Benin, Igbomina, Ekiti, Ife, Oyo, Lapai and Agaic in Nupe land. Traditional and ceremonial wood carvings of the Benin, Igbos, Ibibio, Igbira, Chamba and Mama (both in Plateau) and Yorubas are particularly famours for their power of expression and simplicity of form. In all, most popular wood carvings from Nigeria come in form of masks, furniture and walking sticks.
Iron and ivory carvings is another area in which Nigerian craftsmanship have excelled. The Bini iron carvings, Yoruba Ivory carvings, the Igbos bangles, musical instruments and other fashion accessories exist.
Other major crafts and handicrafts in Nigeria include Raffia and Grass weaving, bead works, paintings and other artistic works. Glass beads used mainly for ornamental purposes for making patterns or coverings whole or parts of other objects such as pots, calabash, dresses ritual objects or masks come mainly from Bida. They are made mainly from recycled glass. As for Raffia and Grass weaving, the craftsmen and women of Ikot-Ekpene, Warri, Maiduguri and Brass are making fortunes through the production of beautiful designs of baskets, cane works and richly coloured mats and screens.
Market/profitability
The ever-increasing demand for Nigerian handicrafts by foreigners has made foreign trade on handicrafts very lucrative. Besides the traditional assorted handicraft and calabash carvings which constitute hot cakes in United States of America and the United Kingdom, other types of African handicrafts are today enjoying increasing demand in other parts of Europe and Asia.
Leather and leather products are highly needed in Belgium, Holland, Poland, Sweden, Korea and India. Nigerian hand-made men’s leather shoes in particular are enjoying a boom in France. In Thailand, Belgium, Sweden, Germany and Pakistan, trade on wood carvings is now so lucrative that their usual large size which used to constitute an impediment is no longer seen as a problem.
The trade in arts and handicrafts between Nigeria and the outside world remained legally free. However, in view of the federal government ban on export of certain original and ritual artworks that have unique historical significance for the nation, the exporter is at liberty to submit his original and ritual artworks for scrutiny at the National Museum before export. The profitability in this business can be assured by witnessing the craze for Nigeria arts and crafts and their value in the unique galleries of the so called art capitals of the world: London, Paris, New York and Tokyo.