Far from what the uninformed world thinks about Nigeria, the country often turns out to be a visitor’s delight. Whether you are on an adventure to explore exotic and spicy food, super-creative fashion ideas, or natural resources above and below the ground. There are perhaps an endless string of things to do in Nigeria for an unforgettable experience. You will definitely find more than enough to match your expectation.
Not only do the natural wonders of Nigeria present themselves as tropical paradises far from home. The country has many awesome relics of ancient history, and proud traditions and customs that still stand tall in the present age. We present to you a list of the top things to do in Nigeria, to make your visit or travel experience an unforgettable one.
And if you long to meet creative and amiable people unlike no other nation on the Earth, then welcome to Nigeria. They are waiting with jovial, open arms.
Tourism Guide: A List of Some for the Top Things to Do in Nigeria
There are a good number of Nigerian hospitality companies, as well as travel and tour companies with their own active websites. You can make your findings with them, and even book a trip to these top places of interest. Many of the top tourist sites mentioned in this article have proprietary websites under a management team as well. You can always reach out to them (via the internet and other communication channels) to book a visit.
With that said, let’s sample some of the top things to do in Nigeria, and the thrilling places where you can get them done. Have fun while you read along and plan ahead.
Beaches, And More Beaches
There are a number of restful, soul-lifting beaches and resorts located across Nigeria – over 30 of them. Most of them are situated close to the coastal waters of Southern Nigeria fringing the Atlantic ocean. Some of them allow free entry. For the paid ones, you only need to pay a token to access these beautiful rest points.
There are many of them in Lagos alone: Tarkwa Bay, Elegushi, Atican, Eleko, Oniru, Coconut, and Landmark beaches are some of the most popular ones. Ibeno beach in Cross River state is the longest beach in West Africa. These places are constantly thronged with hundreds of vacation and fun seekers.
The sun-bathing seats, soothing breeze, coconut trees, thatched shelters, and nearby crashing of the waves, are the perfect stress therapy. There are restaurants and bars within and around the beaches to supply you tasty snacks and cuisine for a complete enjoyment.
A Medieval Castle in Nigeria? Yes!
The Kajuru Castle in Kaduna was built by a German expatriate in 1978. A masterpiece of masonry built with ancient German architecture – complete with a drawbridge, dungeon-style bedrooms, turrets, and rugged walls.
This is one of the many life-sized architectural wonders found in Kaduna – both ancient and modern. Kaduna’s Nok settlements and towering mosques are just two amongst other wonders to behold in the northern state. You cannot afford to ignore them on your next trip up North.
The Rocks and Hills of Nigeria
Nigeria’s landscape is dotted with curious rock formations here and there that are awe-inspiring. You will find them in key locations across the country, from the North to the South. If you are a lover of hills, mountains and cliffs, then prepare to feast your eyes. Beyond that, hikers are allowed to traverse these hills in singles or in groups on weekends for an unforgettable experience. Make a mental note to visit any of them; and possibly enjoy the rare, cool atmosphere atop these hills and rocks.
Some of them are cultural and historical sites, with stories closely linked with the history of the indigenous tribes surrounding them. A typical example is Olumo rock in Ogun state – the celebrated ancient fortress of the Egba people. Idanre hills in Ondo State is a very ancient settlement, one of the oldest cultural sites in Nigeria with many centuries of history.
Zuma Rock and Aso Rock are prominent rock formulations in the capital city of Abuja. Aso Rock is in the background of the Presidential palace, a huge rock so breathtaking to behold. Zuma rock is the famed ‘Rock with a face’, a smooth-surfaced and towering rock that has long become the icon of Abuja.
Riyom rock in Plateau state is a set of stacked boulders, carefully balanced on top of one another. Udi hills in Enugu State towers several hundreds of meters above sea level; a well-known natural coal deposit with interconnected caves and tunnels. And the Obudu mountains in Cross River state are another out-of-the-world site.
The Beautiful Waterfalls
Nigeria is blessed with many beautiful waterfalls. Some of them are reputed to have healing virtues; and some of them have queer characteristics. You need to visit at least one for them and tap into the healing waters.
The Kwa Waterfall and Obudu Waterfall in Cross River state are not so big. But their locations in the surrounding huge tropical rainforest make them a favorite spot for forest animals to get a drink. Tourists often enjoy a thrilling view of the visiting animals and heavily cascading waters in these locations. Agbokim waterfall (also in Cross River), close to the Cameroon border, is a truly captivating set of waterfalls. The thunderous waterfall forms a rainbow at certain times of the year.
The Matsirga waterfalls in Kaduna, at 25 meters high, is actually a group of four waterfalls pouring down from the Kagoro hills. Owu waterfalls in Kwara state pours down a distance of about 330 meters above the ground – a sight to behold. The Assop Waterfall and Farin Ruwa Waterfall in Plateau state both look so beautiful with the granite rocks surrounding them – making them rare picnicker’s delights. Awhum Waterfall in Enugu State, and Gurara Waterfall in Niger are equally breathtaking.
For the Lovers of Art and History
The inspiring art galleries and museums strewn across Nigeria are a must-visit anytime you go on a trip across the country. Visiting them should be one of the top things to do in Nigeria on your list. You will depart knowing that not only music, but art, are food for the soul.
The Nike Art Gallery is a reputable establishment with a number of branches across the nation (Abuja, Lagos, Kogi and Osun states). The Thought Pyramid Art Center in Abuja is another illustrious gallery of modern art. Alexis gallery, Terra Kulture, Omolayo art gallery, Oshodi art gallery, Nimbus art gallery and Red Door gallery are other top private art galleries in Nigeria (with many of them located in Lagos).
The National Gallery of Modern Art is permanently situated within the National Arts Theater in Lagos. The National Gallery of Art (Abuja) is another fascinating place. You will have more than enough memories to take with you.
Additionally, the many awe-inspiring museums of ancient history and art across Nigeria eagerly beckon you for a memorable experience. We have the Didi museum (Lagos), Center for Memories (Enugu), National Museum (Asaba), Museum of Traditional Architecture (Jos), Kanta Museum (Argungu), Benin City National Museum, and Discovery Museum amongst scores of others.
Other Top Things to Do in Nigeria: These Places are Just Great
When we say there more than enough fun places to visit and fun things to do in Nigeria, it is literally true. Here are a few other popular fun spots to visit across the country. You can make out time to discover their attractions and have a satisfying experience:
- Lekki Conservation Center (Lagos)
- Ibadan Zoo (Oyo state)
- Africa Shrine (Lagos)
- Emir’s Palace and City Walls (Kano state)
- Badagry Heritage Site (Lagos)
- Cross River National Park (Cross River State)
- Obudu Mountain Resort (Cross River State)
- Dream World African (amusement park) Lagos
- Yankari Game Reserve (Bauchi state)
- Osun Oshogbo Sacred Grove (Osun state)
- Calabar Carnival (Cross River state)
- Argungu Fishing Festival (Kebbi)
- Iga Iduganran (Oba’s Palace: Lagos)
