Discover 20 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Nigeria. Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: National Mosque (Abuja), Holy Cross Cathedral (Lagos) or National Christian Centre (Abuja).
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Nigeria.
Table of Contents
National Mosque, Abuja
Modern landmark mosque built in 1984. The Abuja National Mosque, also known as the Nigerian National Mosque, is the national mosque of Nigeria. The mosque was built in 1984 and is open to the non-Muslim public, except during congregational prayers.[1]
Address: 1012 Sani Abacha Way, Abuja
Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos
Catholic cathedral in Lagos, Nigeria. Holy Cross Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Lagos, Nigeria, and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Lagos. The Gothic style building was constructed in 1939, when the region was still administered as an apostolic vicariate, and thus was only elevated to the status of cathedral in 1950.[2]
Address: 14 Catholic Mission St, Lagos
National Christian Centre, Abuja
Christian church in Abuja, Nigeria. The National Christian Centre is a Christian place of worship in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
It is located in Abuja, the capital city. The centre is an inter-denominational church building.[3]
Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos
Mosque in Lagos, Nigeria. Lagos Central Mosque is an important jum'at mosque in Lagos Island and home of the Chief Imam of Lagos. It is located along the busy Nnamdi Azikiwe Street. The current Mosque was opened for use in May 1988, displacing an earlier mosque that was built between 1908 and 1913. The chief Imam leads jumat service at the Mosque and he is the custodian of the mosque. Over the years, titles have been given to individuals by officials of the mosque's executive council. A prominent title is the Baba Adinni, first held by a Mr. Runmonkun, and recently bestowed on A.W. Elias, Wahab Folawiyo and Abdul Hafiz Abou. The first two title holders played significant roles in the construction of a new modern mosque.[4]
Address: 36 Nmandi Azikwe Way, Lagos
Jaekel House, Lagos
The Jaekel House is a 2-storey colonial mansion in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Nigeria. The house was built in 1898 on a large expanse of landscaped land and named after the late Francis Jaekel OBE, a former superintendent of the Nigerian Railway Corporation who retired in the 1970s after almost three decades of active service. Jaekel House was formally the residence of the General Manager and was later converted to a senior staff rest house. The building has been renovated and restored by Professor John Godwin in collaboration with the Railway Corporation in 2010. The building is now a “mini Museum” showcasing photographic archives dating from 1940s through to 1970s of personalities, places, historical events in pre- and post-independent Nigeria and houses artefacts of the old Railway Corporation. It's also one of the fairy tale wedding locations in Lagos.
Jaekel House and Museum is now managed and maintained by Legacy1995 to preserve the legacy of the earliest railway tracks, repair yards and sheds in Nigeria.
Some scenes of Kunle Afolayan’s Independence-era movie, October 1, 2019 biopic, The Herbert Macaulay Affair and a Simi music video were shot at Jaekel House.[5]
Address: 17 Federal Rd, Ebute Metta, Lagos
Millennium Park, Abuja
Park in Nigeria. The Millennium Park is the largest public park of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria and is located in the Maitama district of the city.
The Millennium Park was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on 4 December 2003. It is near the former Presidential Palace close to the nucleus of presidential and administrative buildings of the city.
A river crosses the Park in its main rectilinear axis, dividing it into two parts.
One side on the Park is dedicated to uncontaminated nature. In a system of terraces at different levels are located Nigeria's mountain vegetation, savanna, deciduous forest, rainforest and brushwood as well as greenhouses for butterflies and tropical birds.
The other side, corresponding to the main entrance from road, is dedicated to the scientific knowledge of the natural environment. This part of the Park has a very traditional and rigid Italian Style Garden Layout. Entering the Park, a rectilinear path completely paved with Roman white travertine brings the public into its green areas. A series of fountains run alongside this white mark refreshing the public during the hottest days. This path visually links the enormous Cotton Tree, a holy tree of Abuja situated on one side of the Millennium Park, with the Aso Rock, the holy Rock of Abuja. The path layout is based on a trident geometry separated by huge polygonal pools. The roads are crossed by a series of multicoloured bushes going from yellow to red with a very particular wave-like course.
This Park, conceived and designed by the Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti, has quickly become one of the main attractions of the city of Abuja bringing thousands of people together each day.
During the Millennium Park opening ceremony, each Commonwealth Head of State has planted symbolically a Ravenala madagascariensis palm giving birth to the Park. Among others were present the President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, UK prime Minister Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II.[6]
Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Market, Kaduna
Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Market, also known as Kaduna Central Market, is the biggest marketplace located in the centre of Kaduna the capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria. It is bordered by Kaduna North to the northeast and Kaduna South to the southwest. The market is one of the largest economic hub of the northern Nigeria region, one of the busiest transportation yard, Ahmadu Bello Way is the major express way that links to various part of the market.
The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, once visited the market to empower traders. He was accompanied by Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai.[7]
Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna
Sultan Bello Mosque also known as The Kaduna Central Mosque, is one of the largest mosques in Kaduna State, Nigeria, built in 1962. It is named after the then Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Bello the son of Usman dan Fodio. The present Chief Imam of the mosque is Suleiman Muhammad Adam, a former lecturer in the department of Arabic and Islamic studies Kaduna State University.[8]
Gidan Rumfa, Kano
The Gidan Rumfa, sometimes called the Gidan Sarki, is the palace of the Emir of Kano. Located in the city of Kano, Kano State, Nigeria, it was constructed in the late 15th century. Since the reign of Rumfa, it has continuously been the residence of the traditional authority in Kano and was retained by the Fulani jihadists who took over traditional authority in Kano in the early 19th century. It currently has an area of 33 acres.[9]
Onitsha Market, Onitsha
Main Market, Onitsha is one of the largest markets in West Africa based on geographical size and volume of goods. It is based in the city of Onitsha, in Onitsha North Local Government Area, the commercial capital of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. The town is located on the east bank of the Niger River that joined the Anambra River. The building that made up the main market Onitsha was regarded as the largest in Nigeria. That building was destroyed during the Nigeria civil war in 1968 but was rebuilt after the war.
The market is governed by one of the most revered traders associations on the continent, the Onitsha Market Traders Association (OMATA). Most of the major import merchants from Eastern Nigeria have their head offices within the market. The average traders in the area are known to bring in at least six consignments of 40 tonnes (40-feet containers) of goods annually. Some of the major importers do more than 200 consignments of 40 tonnes of goods per year. These include jewelry, clothing, household, industrial, and office equipment.
It is bounded by the River Niger to the West and Fegge through Osumaru Road from the East. The market is secured by the Onitsha Main Market Vigilante Services working under the auspices of the Nigeria Police Force. The market can rightfully be described as the commercial powerhouse of West Africa. It is massively patronized by merchants in the ECOWAS sub-region including Accra, Abidjan, Douala, Niamey, Cotonou, and elsewhere on the continent, to mention a few.
A wide variety is on offer in Onitsha's main market. Despite good security, many pick-pockets and swindlers are active.
Onitsha Market Literature came from here.[10]
Address: Edozie Lane, Main Market, Onitsha
Lugard Footbridge, Kaduna
Pedestrian bridge. The Lugard Footbridge is a pedestrian bridge located in Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria.[11]
Dalla Hill, Kano
Hill. Dalla Hill is a hill in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. It is 534 metres high and contains a stairway with 999 steps to the top.
In the seventh century, the hill was the site of a community that engaged in iron-working. It was called the Tsumburbura shrine from 700 CE up until the credo's collapse as a result of Islamic dominance later in the 13th century. Kano was originally known as Dala, after the hill.[12]
River Niger Bridge, Onitsha
Bridge in Nigeria. The River Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria connects southeastern Nigeria with western Nigeria over the Niger River. It is linked to Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria.[13]
Gidan Makama Museum, Kano
Museum in Kano, Nigeria. Gidan Makama Museum Kano or Kano Museum is a museum in Kano, Nigeria. This building served as temporary palace of Kano before the current palace Gidan Rumfa was constructed in the 15th century The museum has a significant collections of arts, crafts and items of historic interest related to the Kano area. Located in a 15th-century historical building, which is recognised as a National Monument by the Government of Nigeria. The museum is divided into 11 galleries, each with their own centre of focus. Galleries include the Zaure or the main entrance hall with displays of traditional materials, city walls and maps of Kano, the history of statehood, Kano in the 19th century, the Civil War, economy, industry and music.
An open space inside the museum acts as a performance stage for a Koroso dance and drama group.[14]
Address: Opposite the Emir's Palace, Kano
Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha
The Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic cathedral and minor basilica dedicated to the Trinity and located in Onitsha, Nigeria. The basilica is seat of the Archdiocese of Onitsha. It contains the relics of Blessed Cyprian Iwene Tansi, as well as the tombs of Bishop Joseph Shanahan and of the Archbishops Charles Heerey, Stephen Ezeanya and Albert Obiefuna. It is the only basilica in Nigeria.[15]
Address: Awka Rd, Onitsha
Bodija Market, Ibadan
Market in Ibadan, Nigeria. Bodija Market is a popular open-air market located in Bodija, Ibadan North, Oyo State, South Western Nigeria.[16]
Royal Palace of Oba, Benin City
The Royal Palace of Oba of Benin is notable as the home of the Oba of Benin and other royals.
The palace, built by Oba Ewedo, is located at the heart of ancient City of Benin. It was rebuilt by Oba Eweka II after the original building was destroyed during the 1897 war with the British. The palace was declared a UNESCO Listed Heritage Site in 1999.
The Royal Palace of Oba of Benin is a celebration and preservation of the rich Benin culture. Most of the visitors to the palace are curators, archaeologists or historians.[17]
Cocoa House, Ibadan
Cocoa House, completed in 1965 at a height of 105 metres, was once the tallest building in Nigeria and the first skyscraper in West Africa. It is located in Dugbe, a major commercial area in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. It was built from proceeds of agricultural commodities of the then Western State of Nigeria.[18]
Address: Dugbe, Ibadan
Agodi Gardens, Ibadan
Amusement park in Ibadan, Nigeria. Agodi Gardens is a tourist attraction in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria. Also called Agodi Botanical Gardens, Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, the gardens sit on 150 acres of land[19]
Address: Parliament Road, Ibadan
Ogba Zoo, Benin City
Zoological park in Benin City, Nigeria. Ogba Zoo is a state-owned zoological park in Benin City, capital of Edo State, Nigeria.
The nature park was established in 1971 in a forest reserve in the Ogba District, four kilometers from the town center.
The area covers 750 acres of land and water, and is home to local and other wild species, including primates, lions, giant tortoises, rock pythons, equine and antelope species.
Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed described the zoo as one of Nigeria's top tourist destinations.[20]