Regarding enjoying recreational activities like sightseeing, hill climbing, mountaineering, art exhibitions, and other fun activities, Nigeria has more than enough to keep you informed and entertained.
Nigeria has 36 states and a federal capital territory in Abuja. Many of the states are blessed with great natural resources and attractions that will show you how fruitful and beautiful the country can truly be.
Suppose you intend to visit anywhere in Nigeria soon and are looking for places to have a memorable experience. In that case, we’ve helped you to compile the top tourist attractions in Nigeria.
1. Idanre Hill, Ondo State
If you’re the type who loves to explore gigantic mountains and hills, then consider Idanre Hill in Ondo State, Nigeria. Aside from the fact that Ondo State has many hills and rocky mountains, Idanre Hill stands out because of its remarkable heights.
Photo Source: Idanre Hills @Instagram.
You have to climb 682 steps before getting to the top of the hill, which gives you a full view of the city, its greenery, and its fantastic landscape. No wonder it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is a tourist attraction in Nigeria that you want to take advantage of.
2. Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos State
Nothing speaks more about art exhibitions than the famous Nike Art Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria. This radiant five-story building houses some of the best arts and crafts, ranging from stone sculptures and tie and die to colourful drawings.
Source: Trippin World.
Since its establishment in 2009, Nike Art Gallery has more than 20,000 artworks from different Nigerian artists and has continued to be a significant tourist attraction for art lovers. The most exciting thing about visiting this art gallery is no entry fee.
So, you’re always welcome to explore the beautiful artworks that Nigerians have to offer.
3. Old Oyo National Park, Oyo State
One of the significant features of this National Park is preserving the culture, archaeology, and history of the old Oyo Empire while merging it with wildlife.
The Old Oyo National Park was also established to protect endangered species from extinction.
People from different parts of Nigeria and across the world usually visit to appreciate and enjoy nature’s spiritual, ecological, and aesthetic values and to enhance the growth of wildlife.
4. Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos State
After exploring the beautiful arts and crafts at the Nike Art Gallery, you can also visit the Lekki Conservation Centre, which is known as the icon of conservation in Nigeria.
It doubles as a recreational and conservation centre for those who love to unwind while catching a glimpse of wildlife. It is also a wonderful getaway for Lagosians who want to escape the hectic nature of city life.
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Lekki Conservation Centre covers an area of about 78 hectares and reportedly has the longest canopy walkway in Africa. It’s also home to many endangered animals. If you love animals, especially wildlife, consider visiting this beautiful conservation centre in Lagos.
5. Arochukwu Waterfall, Abia State
The amazing Arochukwu Waterfall is a major tourist attraction and relaxation spot in Nigeria. Apart from the magnificent waterfall, Arochukwu is surrounded by beautiful flora, tall trees, sloppy ground, and greenery.
The waterfall also has a tiny step, popularly called Arochukwu’s 79 Steps. It connects the waterfall to the riverside and is usually climbed by tourists who swim underneath it.
One historical fact about Arochukwu Waterfall is that the colonial masters erected it for various purposes.
However, since the colonialists left, the waterfall was unknown until 2013, when some youth corps members discovered it. It then became a major tourist attraction in Abia State, Nigeria.
6. Yankari National Park, Bauchi State
This park is arguably one of northern Nigeria’s most famous tourist attractions. With over 20,000 visitors annually, Yankari National Park is a significant place for ecotourism, hiking, and other fun activities.
The park has lodges and tour guides to make your stay remarkable. Yankari National Park is where you can see the best that wildlife has to offer while complementing your journey with a visit to the Yankari Warm Springs for fun and relaxation.
You can explore other attractions in the park, like the Marshall Caves, Dukkey Wells, museums, and the Wikki Warm Springs. It’s simply the perfect place for a family getaway.
7. Nok Village, Jaba, Kaduna State
The Nok Village in Kaduna State is where you can see ancient arts and crafts of various kinds. You will have a first-hand experience of Nok culture and art, illustrated through paintings, stone sculptures, figurines, and so much more.
Humans made the artwork you’ll find in Nok Village in ancient times. The villages and the state government have successfully preserved these beautiful artworks to show tourists and travellers ancient history’s incredible beauty and richness.
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons.
That makes it one of the most famous art tourist destinations worldwide. And suppose you’re still in Kaduna and looking forward to exploring more ancient places. In that case, the Kajuru Castle will blow you away with its radiant mediaeval architecture, which looks like something out of a movie scene.
8. Oluma Rock, Abeokuta, Ogun State
If you love hills and rocks, consider visiting the magnificent Oluma Rock in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Even though the whole of Abeokuta, known as Under the Rock, is surrounded by rocks of different shapes and sizes, Oluma Rock is a significant place worth visiting due to its distinctive features.
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Before the Oluma Rock became a historical monument, it served as a shelter for the villages during the intertribal wars. When you stand on the 137-metre rock, you’ll have a scenic view of Abeokuta and its environs. You can access the top of the rock with an elevator or stairs.
What’s more, there is a museum and craft shop around the rock where you can explore various artefacts, especially those related to Oluma Rock and Abeokuta history as a whole.
9. Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ekiti State
This place is home to one of the world’s most amazing wonders. It has become a tourist attraction because of the warm springs, with cold and warm springs flowing side by side while meeting at a confluence, each spring still maintaining its thermal properties.
Aside from the beautiful view of the spring and its environment, the Ikogosi Warm Spring has several relaxation centres and lodges for tourists. This part of Nigeria is a must-see landmark for anyone who loves to experience great adventure, especially with the ones nature has to offer.
10. Obudu Mountain Resort, Calabar, Cross River State
The city of Calabar is a beauty to behold in itself, but it’s even more magnificent when you see the radiant Obudu Mountain Resort, which was formerly called the Obudu Cattle Ranch.
The resort is the best place for a family getaway and tourism because it offers tourists the best modern recreational facilities. The resort has tennis courts, a fitness centre with a gym, a business centre with access to the internet, a lounge, and onsite restaurants, among other facilities that will make your stay at the ranch memorable and worthwhile.
Photo Source: Trip Advisor.
However, the Obudu Mountain Resort is not the only tourist attraction in Calabar. If you have enough time, you can participate in the Calabar carnival, which starts on December 1st and ends on December 31st.
The festival is called the Pride of Nigeria or Africa’s Biggest Street Party. Many visitors from different parts of Nigeria and across the world usually grace the occasion, which is often filled with colourful activities and an astonishing display of the rich cultural heritage of Calabar and the entire Cross River State.