- Tourists often look for places to explore mainly for recreational and educational purposes in Nigeria
- TheRadar compiled a list of 10 affordable tourist centres in Southwest Nigeria
- These places include the Olumirin Waterfalls, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Lekki Conservation Centre.
Tourism is one of the best ways to unwind with friends and families during vacations or leisure time and also for educational purposes. Southwest Nigeria comprises six states, namely: Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Ogun.
These states have very beautiful places to visit and explore in one's lifetime. TheRadar compiled a list of interesting places to visit in Southwest Nigeria, while giving a succinct detail of each of the tourist centres.
Whether you’re a tourist, foreigner, or resident simply looking to explore nature and see some sights, here are 12 affordable tourist destinations that will catch your fancy.
12 affordable tourist destinations in Southwest Nigeria
1. Lekki Conservation Centre (Lagos State)
It is popularly known as LCC, which is situated at Lekki Peninsula. LCC provides a first-hand experience of enjoying nature and urban life.
The environment is calm, cool and serene, with access to the LCC’s expansive area upon payment of an entry fee which includes: birding platforms, photography, environmental education, recreational facilities, walking trails, etc. To get the latest information about the price range, check LCC’s official Instagram page.
Lekki Conservation Centre is usually open every day but 8:30am to 5:00pm on weekdays and 8:30am to 6:00pm on weekends and public holidays.
Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos
2. Olumo Rock (Ogun State)
Olumo Rock is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State with a height of 137 metres above sea level. It officially became a tourist attraction in 1976 and was commissioned by erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo on 3rd February, 2006. It was first discovered by Adagba, a hunter who used the rock as a shield during the 19th century inter-tribal war.
The name “Olumo” was coined from two key words: “Olu” (God) and “Mo” (Moulded), which is fully translated as; “God has ended our troubles and sufferings.” is
This tourist attraction has been upgraded to accommodate an elevator for those who do not want to climb the stairs between the rocks to get to the summit.
Olumo Rock has interesting places like a museum, a tie-and-dye market, a water fountain, and an eatery.
3. Oòni of Ife Palace (Osun State)
Ife is remarkably referred to as the cradle of Yoruba land. The Oòni of Ife Palace is located at Ile-Ife, Osun State.
It has various cultural and historical objects to portray the Yoruba heritage, which makes it a tourist destination in Southwest Nigeria.
The palace serves as an abode for the monarch that governs Ile-Ife town.
4. Badagry Heritage Museum (Badagry, Lagos State)
This tourist attraction is located in Badagry and the Museum is located in the District officer's office that was built in 1863 by the colonial masters.
The museum has different displays of cultural heritage, art, inventions, and sculptures.
5. Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (Osun State)
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is quite old. It was recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural (UNESCO) in 2005 for its global cultural value.
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is located in Osogbo and provides an opportunity for Tourists to appreciate and learn from the Yoruba culture and heritage.
The grove was promoted by the Ataoja of Osogbo and some concerned people who formed the Sacred Art Movement and established the Grove as: “The Sacred Heart of Osogbo”.
6. Nike Art Gallery (Lagos State)
This centre is a good one for art lovers. It is located in Lekki, Lagos State. It has a four-storey building which comprises: an art gallery, coffee shop and textile museum.
There are different activities in Nike Art Gallery such as: art exhibitions, art workshops, and cultural days. They have branches in Osogbo, Ogidi and Anuja.
The gallery is open everyday of the week and gives exposure to African crafts such as: beadwork, adire, batik, painting and carving.
7. Ikogosi Warm Springs (Ekiti State)
This tourist centre is located at Ikogosi, Ekiti State. Another cold spring meets the warm spring at a confluence; nevertheless, each maintains its temperature.
Research shows that the warm spring has a temperature of 70°C and 37°C at the confluence.
The meeting point of the warm and cold spring remains a unique attraction to Tourists.
8. Idanre Hill (Ondo State)
Idanre Hill is located at Idanre Town in Ondo State. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Southwest Nigeria. It is also called “Oke Idanre”.
It has various beautiful places such as: shrines, old court, Owa’s palace, thunder water (Omi apaara), Belfry, Aboogun’s footprint, Orosun hill, Arun river, and burial grounds.
Idanre Hill measures 3,000 ft above sea level. As a result of its beautiful landscapes, it was added to the Cultural category of UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 8, 2007.
9. Agodi Gardens (Oyo State)
This serene tourist centre is located at the centre of Ibadan precisely The Secretariat Road, Mokola Hill. It is also called Agodi Botanical Gardens.
It has different places such as: swimming pool, zoo, water park, play areas for children and picnic spots. To get more information about the place, check the official Instagram account @agodigardensib.
10. Olumirin Waterfalls (Erin Ijesha, Osun State)
The renowned natural site is located in Erin-Ijesha, Osun State. Some sources had it that the tourist attraction was discovered by hunters in 1140 AD while other sources believed that by a woman named Akinla, the founder of Erin-Ijesha town and granddaughter of Oduduwa.
Akinla named the place Olumirin which means: “Olumirin-another god”.
The mountains housing the waterfall have seven levels, and an Abake village is located at the topmost level.
The waterfall is regarded as a sacred place by the natives and it is one of the popular tourist attractions in Nigeria.
11. Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (Ogun State)
The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is owned by Olusegun Obasanjo, The Erstwhile President of Nigeria. The library is located at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State. It is usually open between 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and closes on Christmas and New Year's Day.
The library is an archive of the documents and materials used by the President during his tenure.
It has rooms and venues for hosting meetings and accommodating up to 1,500 guests.
The library offers different sections ranging from the main library building to the modern AirForce One Pavilion.
12. Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls (Osun State)
Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls is a stunning natural attraction located in the Oke-Ila Orangun area of Osun State, Nigeria. It is known for its scenic beauty and serene environment. The waterfall is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts.
The waterfall features a cascading drop into a clear pool below, surrounded by lush vegetation.
Tourists and visitors alike can enjoy various activities such as swimming in the pool, picnicking, hiking, and photography. The surrounding forest also offers opportunities for bird watching and exploring the local flora and fauna.
Although accessible anytime, the best time that indigenes advise to visit Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls is during the rainy season (April to October) when the water flow is at its peak, providing a more spectacular view of the falls.
Whether you're looking for an adventurous hike, a peaceful retreat, or a chance to connect with nature, Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls offers a memorable experience.
Ojude Oba and 9 other colourful festivals in Nigeria
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously wrote on 10 captivating festivals that are celebrated across Nigeria. One of the festivals is Ojude Oba in Ogun State, which was very popular on the internet during the period of the celebration.
Other festivals include Eyo Festival, Argungu Fishing Festival, Ofala Festival and New Yam Festival.
