Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, is already using the ongoing Art and Craft village, venue of the African Arts and Craft Expo (AFAC) in Abuja, to promote the cultural artifacts and beauty of Nigerian rich art heritage to the world. Declared open by the acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. Habiba Lawal, Runsewe, revealed that from 2018, AFAC will no longer be celebrated in August and September but in April and May, a more favourable weather period. In his remark, he stated that the 2017 edition of AFAC has been carefully packaged in line with international best practice.
He called on all participants, particularly the international exhibitors, to take full advantage of the facilities provided for a successful outing, and to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the Nigerian people. The Arts and Crafts village that was neglected by successive administrations has now being activated with local and international tourists flooding the village to purchase different artistic items.  AFAC has been organised several times without reasonable success until the repositioning that has made it the biggest in Africa within Runsewe’s three months in office.
Over 17 African countries are currently participating in the expo. While the exhibition is in progress, free eye test, free blood pressure test and free dental check-ups are being carried out at the mini-clinic of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which equally mobilised its emergency equipment like ambulances and fire fighting trucks to the venue. Over 200 medicated eyeglasses are being given freely to participants with various sight challenges during the eye-screening programme.
