Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth. Nigeria, the Giant of Africa. When you think of Nigeria what comes to mind? Is it being the the leader of the Afrobeat wave taking over the global music scene? Is it being a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry society? Is it the happy nature of its people? All these are true about this great country but something’s missing. Nigeria has so many things to offer yet people aren’t tapping into its beauty. There are some great places to explore in this country that will leave you wanting more and keep you interested with its culture and attractions. Here are some of the best places to visit in Nigeria.
Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, is one of the country’s most beautiful cities and is situated in the heart of the country. Abuja, the country’s political and administrative headquarters, houses all key official residences, including the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and the presidential House. Abuja is one of the most peaceful cities in the country, and with sights like Zuma and Aso Rock, travelers are in for a good time, making it one of the greatest locations to visit in Nigeria.
Lagos
Lagos is Nigeria’s commercial hub and is sometimes referred to as the “New York of Africa.” Lagos, a lively metropolis with numerous beautiful sites and monuments, should be at the top of everyone’s itinerary when visiting Nigeria. From the mainland to the island, the city has the top places that will leave you wanting more of Nigeria. From the Lekki Conservation Garden to the Nike Arts and Gallery, Lagos is a haven for wildlife and art enthusiasts. Lagos, located on the Atlantic coast, has a multitude of beaches that you may visit alone, with friends, or as a family. Malls and hangout spots dot the city, which is constantly bustling.
Ibadan
Ibadan, often known as the “city of brown roofs,” is well-known for its rich history and inviting atmosphere. Ibadan, West Africa’s largest metropolis, is full of sites that will leave you wanting more. From ancient monuments like Mapo Hall to the vibrant Agodi Gardens, Ibadan has a lot to offer visitors. We can’t build a list of Nigeria’s top places without including Ibadan.
Calabar
Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, is regarded as one of Nigeria’s premier tourism destinations. The city, which sits atop a hill near the Calabar River, is recognized for its peaceful rural atmosphere. Calabar’s old British-era monuments, with their clean, white marble, contribute to the city’s village-like atmosphere. Calabar is endowed with a variety of attractions, making it one of the best destinations to visit in Nigeria. The Kwa Waterfalls and the enormous Cross River National Park, among other areas, demonstrate the city’s abundance of natural resources. For a great family day out, consider visiting Tinapa Resort’s adventure park or attending the famed Calabar Carnival in December.
Uyo
The town of Uyo is a clean, well-run city centre with a bustling night scene of music pubs and beer joints. A top tourist attraction in Uyo is going to the Ibom Plaza for a wonderful shopping experience. The Ibom Plaza is one of the largest shopping centres in all of Nigeria, with its roads lined with beautifully arranged shops and stalls that draw tourists in. If you are a lover of ancient arts, you can always head over to the National Museum of Colonial History to view ancient artifacts. The nightlife in Uyo is a thing of beauty. You can take in its ambience and unwind with family and friends. Akwa Ibom also offers some of the best dishes in all of Nigeria. You can never go wrong with the food, and a visit to Akwa Ibom will make you realise why it is one of the best places to visit in Nigeria.
Mambilla Plateau
A trip to the Mambilla Plateau is the ultimate Nigerian adventure. On this multi-day journey you’ll travel through vast savannah lands and long winding roads, driving up and down multiple hilly terrains, past dairy farms, streams, and rivers. At the Mayoselbe–Tunga stretch of the highway, you’ll come within a few feet of a tribe of monkeys.
Multiple waterfalls await you at Maisamari, Lemetela and Mbanga towns. But the goal of every visitor to Mambilla is to hike up Chappal Waddi (7936ft), the highest point in Nigeria. At Gembu, a major transit town near Cameroon, explore the Donga River on local paddle boats or visit any of the tea farms, the Highland Tea being the most prominent, where you’ll see harvesters fling the leaves over their shoulders into elongated, hand-made baskets strapped to their backs. Make time to explore Gashaka-Gumti National Park, the largest of Nigeria’s 17 national parks, all managed by the Nigeria Parks Service.
Planning tip: You may go to Gembu by road from Abuja, Jalingo, or Yola. Visits here require lengthy overland journeys by bus and motorcycle, so allow at least a week. Nature Connects, headquartered in the Plateau, offers tour and advisory services. Mambilla is excellent for hiking all year, but especially between December and March, when the ground is less treacherous. This is also the greatest time to view wildlife. The plateau is at its greenest between April and September; to see some of its waterfalls, travel between September and December.
Ilorin
Ilorin, located in Nigeria’s North-Central area, is rarely visited by visitors, yet it deserves to be. The emir’s palace is the center of Ilorin’s cultural and spiritual life. Palace personnel will walk you around, usually starting with the four pillars commemorating the emirate’s previous combat triumphs. The several buildings within and adjacent to the palace (for example, the Ilorin Central Mosque) represent various times as Ilorin moved from an outpost of the Old Oyo Empire to a bastion of the Sokoto Caliphate in the early nineteenth century.
Planning tip: Ilorin, like other northern Nigerian cities, shines on Eid-al-Adha with the annual durbar festival, a bright equestrian parade in northern Nigeria. In August, a traditional mass wedding ceremony is held in Shao town.
Idanre
Idanre is a historic hilltop settlement in western Nigeria. The medieval palace, which housed 25 previous kings, is tucked up among the hills. The approach to the palace, with its low roofing supported by carved wooden posts, is littered with vestiges of a previous civilization, such as potsherd pavements, a native court, a prison, and a shrine. Idanre is best known for its hills. And looking out from 915m (3000ft) into the distance to the huge towns at the foot of the hills, which were originally inhabited in the 1930s, is one of the most uplifting sights in this part of the world.