BROCHURE ON CULTURE /
NATURE OF NIGERIA
A GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS
/TOURISTS
INTRODUCTION
Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal
constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and its Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders
with the Republic of Benin in the West, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and
Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the
Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria
are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. In terms of religion Nigeria is roughly split
half and half between Muslims and Christians with a very small minority who
practice traditional religion.
The people of Nigeria have an extensive history.
Archaeological evidence shows that human habitation of the area dates back to
at least 9000 BC. The area around the Benue and Cross River is thought to be
the original homeland of the Bantu migrants who spread across most of central
and southern Africa in waves between the 1st millennium BC and the 2nd
millennium.
The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River
running through the country. This name was coined by Flora Shaw, the wife of
Lord Lugard, a British colonial administrator, in the late 19th century.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, the
eighth most populous country in the world, and the majority of the population
is black. It is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies, and is a
member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Nigeria is the largest exporter of oil
in Africa and is a regional power that is also the hegemony in West Africa.
According to current data, one out of every four
Africans is Nigerian. And even conservative estimates conclude that more than
20% of the world's black population lives in Nigeria. 2006 estimates claim 42%
of the population is between 0 -14 years of age, while 54.6% is between 15-65;
the birth rate is significantly higher than the death rate; at 40.4 and 16.9
per 1000 people respectively.
The number of languages currently estimated and
catalogued in Nigeria is 521. This number includes 510 living languages, two
second languages without native speakers and nine extinct languages. In some
areas of Nigeria, ethnic groups speak more than one language. The official chosen
to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country. The choice of
English as the official language was partially related to the fact that a part
of the Nigerian population spoke English as a result of British colonization
that ended in 1960.
The major languages spoken in Nigeria represent
three major families of African languages — the majority are Niger-Congo
languages, such as Yoruba_labo, the Hausa
language is Afro-Asiatic; and Kanuri, spoken in the northeast, primarily Borno
State, is a member of the Nilo-Saharan family. Even though most ethnic groups
prefer to communicate in their own languages, English, being the official
language, is widely used for education, business transactions and for official
purposes. English as a first language, however, remains an exclusive preserve
of a small minority of the country's urban elite, and it is not spoken at all
in some rural areas. With the majority of Nigeria's populace in the rural
areas, the major languages of communication in the country remain indigenous
languages.
NIGERIA'S APPEAL TO
TOURISTS
Nigeria offers a wide variety of tourist attractions
such as extended and roomy river and ocean beaches ideal for swimming and other
water sports, unique wildlife, vast tracts of unspoiled nature ranging from tropical
forest, magnificent waterfalls, new rapidly growing cities and highland resorts
that are particularly conducive to holidaying. Major attractions to tourists
are the cultural and traditional ways of
life preserved in local custom; rich and varied handicrafts and other colourful
authentic unsophisticated but friendly attitude of many Nigerian population.
However, many of these attractions are still largely untapped and even at their
raw states, they are still being enjoyed by few outsiders, either the very rich
visitors in quest of exoticism or adventurous people in search of new
challenges and experiences. The lack of required modern infrastructural
facilities and in some parts of the country acute conditions of
underdevelopment and poverty can be seen which many potential Nigeria bound
tourists may not like to be confronted with. These are impediments to tourism,
which the new administration has been tackling since assumption of office.
Investors, both foreign and local are therefore called upon to come and invest
in the abundant tourism potentials in the country. The richness and diversity
of Nigeria's tourism resources coupled with economic liberalization policies have
generated investment opportunities in various areas as follows:
YANKARI GAME RESERVE
The Yankari National Park is the premier game
reserve in Nigeria. Yankari Park and Wikki Warm Springs are located around the
Gagi River, approximately less 2 hours drive by road, southeast of Bauchi Town.
The beauty and size of the Yankari Game Reserve make it the most popular
reserve in Nigeria. Set up in 1956 and opened to the public in 1962, the main
game-viewing areas of the reserve are open all year-round. Japanese, Western Europeans, Americans and
Southeast Asian tourists visit this part in abundance. The reserve covers
2,058sq.km of Savanna woodland and is well-stocked with elephants, baboons,
waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, crocodile, hippopotamus, roan antelope, buffalo
and various types of monkeys. Lions are occasionally spotted as well, despite
their natural camouflage. The best time to visit is between November and May,
when tourists are likely to see more game since the dense vegetation has dried
out and the animals congregate around the dried-up river waterholes.
The Wikki Warm Springs is one of the best features
of the game reserves. Flood-lit at night, it is wonderful after a hot day's
game-viewing to relax in the warm water. The spring gushes out from under a
cliff, where the water is at least 6 ft. deep, with a bathing area that extends
for 600ft. to an open area. The park is inhabited by a variety of birds,
including the huge saddlebill stork, goliath heron, bateleur eagle, vultures,
kingfishers, bee-eaters and more. It is excellent for serious bird-watchers.
Other facilities
include: Tennis courts,
squash courts, a small museum in the reception area plus gas stations with
convenience stores at Wikki Camp and Bauchi.
Reservations: It is advisable to make reservation
during the holidays and weekends with Easter a particularly busy season. Reservations
can be made at key Hotels in Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi Liaison office in Lagos and at
the Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi.
Route: You can travel by road from Lagos to
Abuja, where you make an overnight stop, then on to Jos and Bauchi, as it is a
2 day journey by car over well-maintained roads.
Hotels: Basic accommodations are available in first
class chalets or rondavels. Also
available are suites, double rooms and family chalets that include small
kitchens.
There are many other National Parks besides Yankari.
Notable ones include Mambilla, Gumti National Park, Cross River National Park,
and Kainji Lake National Park.
MAMBILLA PLATEAU
The Mambilla Plateau in the northeast of Nigeria and located in the southeast corner of Taraba State, shares a border with Cameroon. A
highland grassland plateau averaging about 1800 meters, it is scenic, cool and
a pleasant change from the heat and humidity of Lagos. Because the roads are
still under construction, a sport utility vehicle or jeep is recommended and visitors should pack essentials,
camping equipment and food. As an option, there are a few standard hotels on the plateau.
The Park provides an attractive setting, well worth
a visit. Mambilla has cattle ranches, tea plantations and rolling, grassy
hills. It is different from the rest of Nigeria with regard to flora and fauna
and is home to some rare species of birds and animals, especially at the
Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
Route: There is a major road to Mambilla from
Lagos, Benin City, Onitsha, Enugu, Otukpo, Yandev, Katsina Ala, Wukari, Mutum
Biyu, Serti and Gembu. You can also fly into Yola Airport, then drive a few
miles south to Mambilla.-
GASHAKA-GUMTI NATIONAL
PARK
This is a vast land of spectacular wilderness
(6,000sq.km) in the southeast corner of Taraba State, adjoining the Mambilla
Plateau. Mostly mountainous, from 457 to 2407 meters, it contains Nigeria's
highest mountain, Chapal Waddi (2409m). It is the most ecologically diverse
conservation area in the country and contains swaths of guinea savanna, gallery
forest, moist forest, mountain forest and grassland. Many rives flow through
the park, including the Taraba, a major tributary of the River Benue. A wide
variety of animal wildlife can be found, including buffalo, roan antelope,
chimpanzee, colobus monkey, hippopotamus, hyena, giant forest hog, lion and
leopard. The park is a birdwatcher's paradise with a wide variety of species.
CROSS RIVER NATIONAL
PARK
The Cross River National Park was created from two
existing forest reserves of Bashi-Okwango and Oban Forest Reserves. It is
famous for its unique rain forest vegetation which, according to conservation
experts, is some of the richest in Africa. This park contains the last
remaining rain forest in Nigeria, which is being preserved with the help of the
Nigerian Conservation Foundation. It has a herd of forest elephants, the
white-faced monkey (indigenous to Nigeria only), buffalo, leopards and lowland
gorillas, besides over a thousand other animal species.
The park has a tropical climate characterized by a
rainy season between April and October and dry season between November and
April. The moist green vegetation cover makes the forest an excellent place to
see birds and butterflies.
THE KAINJI NATIONAL
PARK
This Park, in Kwara State, was established in 1979
and incorporates the Borgu Game Reserve and Sugurma Game Reserve to the
southeast in Niger State. The Bourgu sector of the park alone covers an area of
about of 3,929sq.km of savanna woodland, and Zugurma cover an area of about
1,370sq.km. The Kainji National Park also contains the Kainji Dam, an
artificial lake which covers the town of Old Bussa. Here Mungo Park, the British
explorer, was said to have come to grief in 1805. Now the lake hides the scene
of the accident. The lake is 136 km long and tours of the dam are available on
request from the Nigerian National Power Holding Company. Boat
trips on the lake can be arranged by the Borgu Game Reserve office at Wawa.
LEKKI BEACH
There are several beaches along the Lekki Peninsula,
the foremost being Lekki Beach, located a few miles from the city center. Lekki
Beach is another of Lagos' attractive beaches and remain popular with foreign
tourists. Beach shelters made of palm fronds and umbrellas, available for rent,
keep the sun at bay, as well as provide a place to enjoy snacks or refreshments
sold by local traders.
THE OBUDU RANCH
The Obudu Ranch is a popular holiday destination for
adventurous tourists wishing to explore the remote corners of Nigeria. Situated
in the northeast corner of Cross River State, only 45 miles from the Cameroon
border, a tourist can enjoy the countryside of both Nigeria and Cameroon at the
same time.
The Obudu Plateau is spread over an area of 40 sq. miles and is free of mosquitoes. The
landscape is spectacular, with rolling grasslands, deep-wooded valleys and
waterfalls. It is best to visit Obudu in the dry season since during the rainy
season much of the ranch may be covered in mist and low clouds and there are
thunderstorms. Between December and February, the harmattan is heavy;
therefore, the best times for a visit are the end of October to December and
March to May before the rainy season.
Attractions:
Gorilla Camp, 13 km from the hotel area, is accessible either by vehicle
or on foot, where one can take a long, picturesque walk to the camp, and
observe gorillas in their natural habitat. Guests may also ride horses or
embark on hiking trips into the wild (comfortable shoes and a guide are
recommended). Birdwatching here is unparalleled and there is a pleasant shaded
natural swimming pool near the Ranch House. If visitors accept the challenge of
a three-hour hike, they'll be rewarded with a stop at the waterfall, nestled
amid captivating scenery. In spite of the altitude, it can get quite hot in the
day, with five sunshine hours in the dry season (Oct-April) and roughly two
during rainy season (July to Aug.). Other activities include: golf, badminton,
lawn tennis, squash and horseback riding. The latest attraction at the Obudu
Ranch is a cable-car (similar to modern facilities found anywhere around the world)
that runs from the foot of the hill to the top, easing transportation and
providing spectacular sceneries.
Accommodations:
The Ranch Hotel maintains 33 chalets and boasts a
friendly staff, superb restaurant and bar, and laundry/dry cleaning services.
Chalets provide exquisites comfort with a large sitting room, color RV, VCR,
cocktail bar. kitchen & spacious bedroom with double beds. The Ranch Hotel
operates 24 hours during peak periods, September — December. Booking can be made through The Ranch
addresst, P.O.Box 87, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Route:
The sights are spectacular on the drive east,
through rolling mountains and the dense forest trees are so high their branches form a
canopy, shading out the sun entirely. This phenomenon has led to the area being
called "Nigeria's Amazon,"
and is not to be missed. However, should one prefer to fly, they can do so from
any major city to Calabar then proceed by car over the five-hour route via
Ikom.
OSUN FESTIVAL
Osun was one of the wives of Sango, the god of
Thunder and ancient king of Oyo. She is widely worshipped in Yorubaland,
particularly in the countryside through which the river Osun flows. The water
of Osun is said to have the power of making barren women fertile. Her most
important sanctuaries are in Oshogbo, which is where the chief priest performs
rites and rituals.
KANO DYE PITS
The Kano indigo-vegetable dye pits are one of the
most fascinating aspects of this old city. Various designs are folded into the
material before dying, and the fabric is often beaten to achieve the shiny,
iridescent appearance. The techniques employed to obtain this look are
unmatched around the world. And although the methods they use are ancient,
these lush works of art on fabric remain extremely popular and continue to be
in great demand.
SOME OF THE SELECTED
STATE IN NIGERIA WITH TOURISM POTENTIALS
ABIA
Features:
• National War Museum: displays relics of
the Nigerian civil war and local inventions.
• Aba: foremost electronics and indigenous
technology
• Akwette: Blue River Tourist Village
• Uwana Beach Akwette: Famous for its
unique weaving industry
• Aba Centra Market
• Arochukwu Shrine (The long Juju voodoo worshiping)
ADAMAWA
• Three Sisters Hill: Three monolithic volcanic hill
outcrops that uniquely stand side by side,
offering a picturesque postcard feature near the town of Song.
• Sukur, the Ancient mountain kingdom, a
world heritage site of UNESCO is located close to Madagali town, is claimed to be one of the ancestral homes of
the Kamwe and Margi as well as the Mandara people. It is the site of one of the
greatest mining and iron producing area in West Africa in the 15th
Century. Its name suggests it was derived from the Afro-Asiatic word Suk
meaning market.
• WAZA game reserve and mountain resort is
one of the most modern in west Africa and covers much of Northern Cameroon and part of Madagali and
Michika Local Government Areas. The highest monolithic volcanic outcrop in the Mandara mountains known as Tchirgwe could be sighted some hundreds of kilometres away and spots a modern campsite on the Cameroon side of the park with modern hotel facilities
such as the French chain of Novotel. The Kamwes relish tales of the Tchirgue
being derived from their Ethiopian ancestral homeland of Tchilga, an ancient
town in the Siemian highland of Ethiopia in today’s Amhara region of the
country.
AKWA IBOM
Features:
• Ibeno: famous for yachting and swimming
• Oron Museum: collection of fine African
carvings
• Opobo Boatyard: Natural sand beaches at
Ikot Absi
ANAMBRA:
Features:
• Anambra State is historically known for
great craftsmanship
• Ijele masquerade from Aguleri
• Omaba festival
• Yearly yam festival
• Odinani Museum at Nir said to be the ancient homeland of the Igbo race,
• The River Niger with the famous Niger
bridge links the bustling commercial town of Onitsha with ports at Port
Harcourt, Burutu and Warri in Delta State
• Ofala festival,
celebrated by Igbo kings to usher in the new harvest season.
• Rogeny Tourist Village at Oba (a stadium
that is equipped with recreational activities including a swimming pool, zoo,
shrine, soccer stadium, etc)
BAUCHI
• The famous Yankari reserve also features the Wikki
Lame Burra game reserve (with warm springs)
• Tomb of first Prime Minister of Nigeria (Alhaji
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa) is located in the heart of the state capital.
• Yankari game reserve, which has a huge
range of Agrican animals to see.
BAYELSA
• Scenic view of the lagoons created by the river Niger as it dumps its great waters into the Atlantic
Ocean. This landscape also spots the myriad of burning flares from the oil field that dot the Niger Delta.
BORNO
• Kyarimi Park: sightseeing for animal and
bird lovers
• Shehu of Borno's Palace, a major historic site of the Elkenami Empire
(Kamem Borno).
• Lake Chad
• Sambisa Game Reserve, famous for its unfortunate housing of the base of the Boko Haram invaders.
• Fishing festival
in Gahsua
• Ngeji Warm Springs • Leather tanning and
ornamental leather work
CROSS RIVER
• Obudu Cattle Ranch
• Agbokin Falls
• Kwa Falls
• Game Reserve at Okwangwo in Obudu Local
Government
• Boshi Game Reserve
• Mary Slessor Cottage
• National Museum
DELTA
• Sandy beaches of Asaba Koko Port
Ajagbododu
• Olu's Palace
• ATP Timber and Plywood Factory
• Itsekiri Juju Festival
• Okere Juju Festival
• Agloasa Juju Festival
EDO
• Royal Palace of Benin(A treasure of the famous acient
Benin kindom)
• Benin Museum
• Benin Moat
• Emotan Statue
• Smorika Hills
EKITI
Features:
• Ekogosi Warm Spring,
• Olosunta and Orole Hills of Ikere
• The Erinta Water Falls
• Ero Water Dam
• Ewi of Ado’s Place, Ado
Ekiti
• Ikogosi warm springs: a natural
formation of warm and cold waters, rolling down over a hilly landscape and at
the end forms a continuous stream
• Idanre Hills
• lgbokodo water front
• Ipole-Iloro Waterfalls
• Oke Marie Hills at Oka-Akoko
• Ebomi Lake at Epinmi-Akoko
• Aiyetoro Holy Apostle Community
• Olumirin Waterfalls
•
IMO
• Oguta Lake Holiday resort with its sand
beaches
• Rolling hills of Okigwe
• Owerri Amusement park
• Nekede Botanical and Zoological Gardens
• Palm Beach Tourist Village at Awomama
• Afikpo: famous for it's pottery and mask
making
• Akwete Textile Center in Akwete
JIGAWA
• Birnin Kudu Rock Paintings: one of the
oldest rock paintings in Nigeria
• Hadeija/Nguru wetland, destination
for great European
migrating birds and enjoys sponsorship from philanthropic European princes.
KADUNA
• Nok culture site at Kwotin Jema local
government area
• Kufena Hill in Zaria Legendary Lord
Lugard Bridge in Kaduna town Durbar Hotel and Hamdala Hotel in Kaduna
• Mait Sirga Falls in Kafanchan
• Palace of the Emir of Zaria
• The mysterious German Fort Castle at Kajuru.
KANO
• Emir's palace
• Baturiya Birds Estuary
•
Kano Zoological Garden at Gankum Albaba
•
Kurmi Market
•
Kazaure Rock Ranges
•
Famous Tiga Dam (and Bagauda Lake Hotel)
•
Folgore Games Reserve
• Ayanduwa fishing festival
• Ancient city walls and gates, first built about 900 years ago
• Gidan Makaman Museum
• Kofar Mata Dyeing pits (believed to be
the oldest in Africa)
ABUJA
• NiconTranscop Hilton Hotel
• Zuma Rock.
• The Three Arms Zone housing the Nigerian Estblishment.
• The scenic views of the garden city of Abuja laid
around several hills and their green valley that has given it the role of the
Conference Centre of Africa.
BENUE:
• Scenic view of the confluence of the
rivers Niger and Benue
• Ushango Hills
• Enemebia Falls
• Kwaghir theatrical display
• Ingongh Dance
• Pleasant river beaches
RIVERS
• Isaac Boro Park: a zoo with a wide
variety of animals
• Nigeria's first petroleum refinery at
Elesa Elema
• Water Glass Boatyard
• Isaka Holiday Cruise Island
• Oil well at Oloibiri
• Riverine town of Bonny with the
beautiful Finima Beach
• Monument of King Jaia of Opobo
• Relics of Akassa raid of 1859 Slave
transit hall at Akassa
• Ogidi Shrine at Nembe
• Onne port
• Masquerade display at Abonema
TARABA
• Mambilla Plateau and the Gashaka-Gumti National Parks,
• Gashaka-Gumpti Widlife Trails and forest cabins,
• Kashimbilla Game Reserves
YOBE
Features:
• The Dufuna Canoe
(Africa’s oldest known boat) about 8,000 years old.
• Hadejia-Nguu Wetland, a destination for migrating europian birds for wintering.
• The Damaturu Monument
ENUGU
• Miliken Hill
• Nike Lake
• Iva Valley Coal Mines
SOKOTO
• Museum
• Emir's palace
• Gibadi rocks: has ancient fossils
• Tomb of Usman Dan Fodio
OSUN
• Osun Shrine at Oshogbo (which also
houses some decoded calabashes)
• Opa Oranmiyan at Ile-Ife
• Palace of Owa Obokun in Ilesha
• Ife city walls at Ile-Ife
• Ooni of Ife's place at Ile-Ife (A
heritage of Yoruba culture)
• Osun festival: a week-or-more-long
festival mainly in honor of the ancient gods.
• Ife museum: has many bronze and
terracotta sculptures dating back to the 13th century.
• Erin-Ijesa waterfalls.
0Y0
• Ibadan University Zoo
• Agodi Zoological garden
• Upper Ogun Games Reserve
• Mbari Arts Center
• Egungun festival
• Ode-lbadan festival
• International Institute of Tropical
Agriculture
PLATEAU
• National Museum of Jos: The oldest in
the country
• Museum of Traditional Nigerian
Architecture: contains various architectural designs of major Nigerian ethnic
groups
• Jos Wildlife Safari Park
• Zoological gardens
• Assop falls
• Kura falls
• Wase Rock
• Kerang Volcanic Mountain: where the Swan
brand spring water is produced
• Shere hills
• Riyom Rock
• LAGOS
·
Seaside attractions and resorts at Bar Beach, Victoria Island
·
Badagry: the first missionary post and houses the first two-storey
building in the country
·
Lekki Conservation Centre
·
National Museum: which houses important relics such as the traditional
Benin Bronzes and the replica of the Festac '77 symbol
·
Didi Museum
·
Tarkwa Bay Beach
·
National Theater, Iganmu, Lagos
·
Jankara Market ar‘
·
Eyo Masquerad cultural festival: held to celebrite memorable occasions
or the death of an important person
·
Murtala Muhammed Memorial Botanical Garden
NIGER:
·
Gurara falls in Boru Village: dramatic rock gorges with a scenic,
sloping landscape with high rising sprays of water running down on them from
different directions.
·
Zugurma park
·
Shiroro Hydroelectric dam
·
Mungo Park's Cenotaph
·
Bida town: noted for its handicrafts made from beer bottles and
coloured glass jars
·
Kainji Lake and National Games Park, with a wide variety of animals to
see.
OGUN
·
Oba's Palace at Ake:
·
Built in 1854 as the official residence of the Alake, the traditional
ruler of Ebaland
·
Famous for its heavy concentration of antiquities and relics
·
Centenary hall at Abeokuta
·
Birikisu Sungbo Shrine in Ijebu-Ode
·
Olumo Rock
·
Isara-Remo: a natural holiday resort
·
Agemo festival
·
Obinrin Ojowu festival
·
Egungun festival
·
Oro festival
·
Igunnuko Masquerades
ONDO
·
National Museum at Owo: has many wood and ivory carvings, brass and bronze
works, etc
KATSINA
·
Wall surrounding Katsina, 900 years old with seven different gates
·
Emir's palace
·
Kusugu well in Daura
KEBBI
·
Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival: a major week-long international
event including.
·
Art and craft exhibits
·
Cultural dances and music
·
Agricultural fair
·
Local drama
·
Traditional boxing and wrestling
·
Archery competition
·
Racing events: bicycle races, donkey races, boat races
·
Motor rally
·
Kabanci display: series of water events during the festival, including
canoe races, swimming, long deep diving competitions, bare hand fishing,
wild-duck hunting
·
Grand finale fishing show
·
Kanta Museum in Argungu
KOGI
·
Old buildings used by the Royal Niger company when it had a royal
charter over Nigeria
·
Iron of Liberty: In the compound of the first primary school in
Northern Nigeria
·
Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja
·
Borgu Game Reserve
·
Ekuechi Festival of the Ebirras
KWARA
·
Esie Museum of stone figures
·
Kainji dam
·
Jebba dam
·
Mungo Park Monument
·
OWU water falls (in village called Owa-Kajola in Ifelodun)
BY : THOMAS GOJI
