I didn’t only travel across African cities in 2019, I made out time to visit some of Nigeria’s famous tourist centres. Below are 6 Nigerian tourist centres I visited, I have also embedded the videos of my experiences at each centre
1. Erin – Ijesha Waterfalls: A few months ago, I went on a group tour to the Erin Ijesha Waterfall in Osun state with Tourmates by AdaTheExplorer a few months ago and had the opportunity to explore the centre. What about the Erin Ijesha waterfall? you may ask, I am happy to share my experience with you and share some of my learning experience with you. Make sure you eat eba or correct fufu before you attempt climbing the hills, also ensure you have enough water, glucose or energy drink. If not, e go be o!
2. Ikogosi waterfalls: Although the experience wasn’t as great as I expected, it was nice to explore the ancient spring and also experience the warm and cold side to it, the pounded yam served at the restaurant was one of the worst meal I have ever eaten in my entire life. The rooms also smell damp and not well maintained. The pool experience was awesome. The Ikogosi Warm Springs is a wonderful Nigerian tourist centre to visit, my advice is, don’t stay in the premises, if you can, book a room in a nearby hotel. Their food is not all that great too.
3. Arinta Falls: Didn’t quite spend a long time here, climbing the hills was fun and refreshing, wish I had more time to explore. Just check out the video of my experience too. The beautiful thing about this particular Nigerian tourist centre is that it is just about 15 minutes drive from Ikogosi Warm Springs, so you can visit both on the same day.
4. Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library: The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) is owned by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria. It is a historic, tourist and academic centre regarded as a national archive for the Conservancy of documents and historical items used by the president during his tenure as the president of Nigeria from 1999 -2007. This library is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The Olusegun Obasanjo Library occupies sixty-four (64) hectares of land and consists of religious, recreational and educational tourism. The library aims at “preserving the past, capturing the present, inspiring the future, projecting culture and promoting tourism”. It is ringed by an attractive mountain and green vegetation giving it a terrific mix of scenery and culture. I actually think access to the library is overpriced, all in all, there is so much to see there.
5. Olumo Rock : I have a deep connection with the not so ancient city of Egba, Abeokuta, not just because I lived there for a year as a Youth Corps Member in 2012, but because my maternal grandmother hails from there. I enjoy the peace, serenity and joy the city brings. If you live/lived in Lagos, you will understand and appreciate this peace the beautiful city of Abeokuta brings. I first visited Olumo Rock in 2012 with some friends during NYSC and it was really exciting, my second visit was in 2015 during a staff retreat in Abeokuta. My visit in March 2019 was solely to document the history and interesting facts about the rock for YOU! So I hope you enjoy watching this video and reading the short summary below too
Also read: My Abeokuta Experience
6. Alake Of Egba’s Palace: The place of A lake of Egbaland is situated at Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun state. It is the sacred home of the Alake(King) of the Egba tribe of Yoruba in southwestern Nigeria. I enjoyed my tour of the Alake of Egbaland’s palace, although, I didn’t see him. I had fun touring his palace after I visited Olumo Rock and Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library
Which tourist centre do you think I should visit first in 2020?