Did You Know: Hidden Treasures In Nigeria To Explore In 2022 (Pt 2)

Have you ever read through the packages offered by other countries for tourism? There is so much Nigeria has that has not been material for tourism exploration. We have looked at rolling hills, sand dunes, waterfalls, quarries, etc. but there are still more hidden treasures to tap into in Nigeria.

Ancient Towns & Rural Environs

Looking for a city draped in history? Nigeria is full of them. From Benin City to Ibadan, Kano to Idanre town, there are lots of ancient cities with a remarkable history. For instance, the city of Calabar is where the only Airport named after a woman is located Margaret Ekpo Airpot is based. There is also Ife or Ile-ife town in Osun State, which is considered the home of the Yorubas worldwide. Not to mention, Kano, the city that holds the tales of the Hausa people and Islam as part of the ancient cities to visit in Nigeria. A rural environment is one with less than 20,000 dwellers and we have them sparse all over the nation. So if you want to see what village life is like, you can see them during interstate travels. Or you can deliberately visit local government areas outside the bustling cities in every state.  

Ruins

Have you ever heard of the ruins in Egypt? Tour agents recommend places like the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor Temple, and Alexandria city as ruins worth visiting. Nigerians spend thousands of Naira visiting other countries to see their ruins while neglecting the ones we have in our own backyard. E.g. within the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State lies the ruins of the old Oyo-Ile Empire. It contains broken-down structures that tell of the civilization of Africans in that region. You will find the old palace compound, outer walls with ditches, a water reservoir, wells, cisterns, and grinding hollows which are proof of an extensive past settlement. The Kwiambana ruins in Zamfara State is an abandoned city with well-preserved mud structures of houses and walls that tell a tale of people living there. Sukur cultural landscape in Adamawa State has terraces on farmlands, stone-paved walkways, dry-stone structures, and evidence of the flourishing iron industry in ancient times. Surame in Sokoto state is the ruins from the headquarters of the old Kebbi Kingdom. Last but not least is Nok village in Kaduna State. Others worthy of mention are the ancient ruins in Oba city, Anambra state, Akalawa ruins of old Gobir kingdom in Sokoto state, and the ancient Kano walls.

Nigeria is full of amazing phenomena that are mind-blowing. E.g. Oguta Lake in Imo state has two colored rivers flowing together without mixing. Ado Awaye in Oyo state is the only suspended lake in Africa and one of the two suspended lakes in the world. Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ekiti State where the cold and warm springs flow side by side without merging. Other wonders in Nigeria are Agbokim falls in Cross River state that creates a rainbow effect when its waters drop. Monoliths like Zuma and Aso Rock in Abuja, and Riyom rock in plateau state that looks like the map of the state when viewed from a certain angle. There are also places like Gashaka-Gumti National Park or

Okomu National Park with rare and soon-to-be-extinct species of animals unique to Nigeria.

Our major problem in Nigeria is our ‘packaging’ and provision of adequate infrastructure to make these places into tourism gems and money-spinners. Are there any parts of this country you believe will make a great tourist attraction for our national tourism reputation that is yet to be unveiled? Share your ideas with us.

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