Territory
Wonders of Nigeria
Highlights
Although Nigeria does not belong to popular tourist destinations these days, this large multicultural and geographically diverse country has many surprising and little known wonders.
The country is unique not only due to its uninterrupted cultural traditions tracing back to ancient times but also due to another feature: its geographical diversity. The country has rainforests, mountains, deserts, beaches, mangrove forests, and enormous rivers. In numerous locations, people have managed to reach a certain harmony with the environment and most landmarks of Nigeria have both natural and cultural values. Nigerians attribute spiritual characteristics to many of their beautiful natural and cultural monuments and there are many unusual stories told about them.
Map with the described wonders
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Top 25 wonders of Nigeria
Geological wonders
Zuma Rock
Niger
Very impressive, 725 m high monolith that rises like an enormous boulder. One of the most impressive monoliths in the world.
Agbokim Waterfalls
Cross River
Possibly the most impressive waterfall in Nigeria. Some 75 m high, divided into seven streams.
Farin Ruwa Falls
Nasarawa
Very impressive waterfall – a powerful stream that slides down a steep rock. Total height of falls is around 150 m
Matsirga Waterfalls
Kaduna
Some 25 – 30 m tall waterfall – one of the most impressive ones in Nigeria.
Riyom Rock
Plateau
Natural stack of rocks that resembles a giant modernist sculpture.
Gurara Falls
Niger
Some 30 m tall and 200 m wide waterfall.
Agbele Rock
Oyo
Rock spire – amazing balancing stone. It resembles a women that is carrying an oversized basket in its back. Local legends tell that this is an enchanted women – thief.
Iyi Nzu waterfall
Enugu
Some 50 meters tall waterfall that falls into a narrow ravine.
Owu Falls
Kwara
100 m tall waterfall.
Qua Falls (Kwa Falls)
Cross River
Picturesque waterfall in a narrow gorge.
Wikki Warm Springs
Bauchi
Wonderful warm springs with a basin of lucid, blue water. This basin is up to 1.9 m deep and the temperature of the water is 31 degrees C.
Ikogosi Warm Spring and falls
Ekiti
Two springs – a hot (70 degrees C) and cold spring. Streams of both springs meet, forming a pleasantly warm stream. Thermal waters form several larger and smaller waterfalls here.
Archaeological wonders
Sungbo’s Eredo
Ogun
160 km long ring-wall enclosing ancient land of Sungbo. Built sometimes around 1000 AD by local culture.
Tunga Dutse Rock Paintings
Bauchi
Beautiful rock paintings and engravings, as well as undeciphered writings on a sandstone outcrop.
Ruins of Hidi’s palace, Sukur
Adamawa
The ancient capital or administrative center of Sukur people, inhabited since the Iron age and earlier. Palace is a megalithic structure.
Marshall Caves
Bauchi
Artificial caves – former dwellings. In total in the sandstone wall are carved 59 such dwellings, some contain rock paintings and engravings. Discovered in 1980.
Birnin Kudu rock art
Jigawa
Ancient rock art sites and also megaliths. Paintings show cattle and diverse symbols.
Architecture and culture wonders
Ogbunike Caves
Anambra
Sacred site – impressive caves in a tropical forest. This location is sacred up to this day.
Old City of Kano
Kano
Some 1000 years old city with city walls.
Ife City
Osun
Sacred Yoruba city where valuable sculptures from the 13th-15th centuries have been found.
Ikom monoliths
Akwa Ibom
Some 300 standing stones, often adorned with faces and ornaments. These monoliths are up to 1.8 m tall and are placed in some 30 circles. Most likely, created in the 16th – 20th centuries AD.
Osun-Osogbo sacred forest
Osun
Sacred forest alongside the Oshun River.
Olumo cave shelters
Ogun
Natural fortress – caves that were used as a hiding place during the 19th century warfare between local people.
Old Oyo city (Oyo-Ile)
Oyo
Capital city of the Oyo Empire around the 12th – 16th centuries.
Dukkey Wells
Bauchi
Unusual water storage system: a group of 139 wells that are interconnected. Wells were made in the 19th century by captured people – slaves.
Recommended books
A History of Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the world’s eighth-largest oil producer, but its success has been undermined in recent decades by ethnic and religious conflict, political instability, rampant official corruption, and an ailing economy. Toyin Falola, a leading historian intimately acquainted with the region, and Matthew Heaton, who has worked extensively on African science and culture, combine their expertise to explain the context to Nigeria’s recent troubles through an exploration of its pre-colonial and colonial past, and its journey from independence to statehood.
Nigeria – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with an internal market of 150 million people and an economy growing at around 8 percent a year, is potentially Africa’s next powerhouse. It is nearly one and a half times the size of Texas, with a landmass varying from sandy beaches and tropical jungles, to plains, mountains, and desert. This important West African nation is made up of 250 culturally distinct ethnolinguistic groups.
