Tourism
Ten best tourist destinations in Nigeria
1. Lekki Conservation Center, Nigeria is a green oasis of calms and peace away from the busy city life of Lagos. The centre was established in 1990 to promote and preserve the local biodiversity and to serve as an educational center. It was built by Chevron who still funds the center. The foundation wants to preserve Nigeria’s rich plant and animal species and ecosystems by raising environmental awareness and promoting responsibility. The 78 hectare center is located in the Lekki Peninsula where we can find wetlands with swamp and savannah. Visitors can walk on the longest canopy in Africa and enjoy the park through several hiking trails and tree platforms helping you to observe the wildlife. The park is ideal to have a picnic with a panoramic view of the reserve.
2. Idanre Hill (Oke Idanre) is located in Idanre Town in Ondo, in the south-west of Nigeria. The landscape of Indanre Hill is well-known among Nigerians and besides the fantastic views the area has a wide variety of cultural and archeological sites. It has been added to the UNESCO world heritage site list and has since then gained in popularity. The hill is 914 meters above sea level and houses a unique ecosystem in which we can find the remains of the ancient city. A visit to the hill is a full day of discovery filled with breathtaking views, cultural and archeological exploration and a great exercise as it’s quite the hike!
3. Coconut Beach: This idyllic beach is located in Badagry, about 30 km from the border with Benin, and is surrounded by .. you guess .. coconut trees. There are several beach resorts where you can stay for a few days to relax in this beautiful tropical setting. The place is popular among Lagos and Abuja residents and expats who come to spend the weekend here.
4. The Gurara Falls are among the most famous tourist sites in Nigeria and are popular among Nigerians and expats who are looking for a nice day out. They were discovered in 1745 by a local hunter. The falls were named after two gods which were worshipped by the Gwari: Gura and Rara who went to pray near the waterfalls. The falls span 300 meter across and have a 50 meter drop. They are about an hour drive away from Abuja and are best visited between April and November when there is a lot of water. It is safe to swim in the river during the dry season.
5. The Ikogosi Warm Springs are located at Ikogosi town in Ekiti State, in the south-west of Nigeria. Besides the warm spring there is also another cold spring and the two eventually meet each other, providing the perfect temperature of 37 degrees for anyone who wants to bathe.
6. The ancient Kano City Walls are a defensive system which was built by the king of the Kingdom of Kano around the city of Kano to protect its inhabitants. It was constructed between the 11th and 12th century and was finally completed in the 14th century. It is one of the most important and interesting historical sites to visit in West-Africa. Inside we find the Kurmi Market and the Emir’s Palace, there are 15 gates through which you can enter.
7. Gashaka-Gumti National Park was created in 1991 out of two game reserves and is the largest national park in Nigeria. It is located near the border with Cameroon and covers over 6.400 sq km. The south of the park is very mountainous, rich in valleys, gorges and montane forests. In the north we can find mostly savanna. There are 103 species of mammals which have been identified such as golden cat, buffalo, duikers, wild dog, roan antelope, and chimpanzees. The park has over 1 million birds and we can find over 500 species. It is favoured by birders all over Africa. With its spectacular landscapes the park is definitely worth a visit.
8. Zuma Rock
Zuma Rock is a large natural monolith in the Niger state just outside Abuja. It rises over 300 meters above the flat surrounding landscape and we can find its picture on the 100 nairo bill. The rock has a very peculiar form and is massive in size. It is a popular stop to view this amazing natural wonder and to take photographs.
9. Farin Ruwa Falls
The Farin Ruwa Falls are among the highest waterfalls in Nigeria and are located in the central region of the country. The name comes from Hausa and means ‘white water’. From the distance the fall produces a white-smoke like effect on the mountains. The water drops over 150 meter during its descent from the Jos Plateau. Visits are mostly done from Lafia. The falls are most impressive when visited during the rainy season.
10. Lagos Nightlife
Nigerian music is booming like no other and is currently dominating the African continent. Stars such as Davido, Mr. Eazi, Wizkid and Burna Boy have been gaining popularity in the west and have been working together with western artists. Lagos is the musical center of Africa where we can find the best nightlife in all of Africa with exclusive clubs pounding the newest afro beats and attracting the hippest crowd of the continent. When you’re in Lagos you definitely need to visit the local pubs and clubs.
News
Lake Nwonyo Roars Back to Life: Ibi Fishing Festival Draws Presidents, ₦15m in Prize Money, and a Global Spotlight on Nigeria’s Inland Waters
Lake Nwonyo Roars Back to Life: Ibi Fishing Festival Draws Presidents, ₦15m in Prize Money, and a Global Spotlight on Nigeria’s Inland Waters and Water Tourism
By Laraba Haruna | Waterways News | Jalingo
The ancient waters of Lake Nwonyo became the centre of the world on April 18, 2026, as the historic fishing community of Ibi, Taraba State, hosted the grandest edition yet of the Nwonyo International Fishing Festival — a century-old tradition that is fast cementing Nigeria’s inland waterways as a serious draw for culture, diplomacy, and blue economy investment.
From first light, the lakeside buzzed with the kind of energy that only water can generate. Decorated canoes cut elegant arcs across the lake in a colourful boat regatta, while traditional horsemen staged a full durbar on the banks and young swimmers competed in contests that drew roaring applause from thousands of spectators. For a publication dedicated to Nigeria’s waterways, Nwonyo is not merely a cultural event — it is proof that the nation’s rivers and lakes hold untapped economic and diplomatic power.
The festival attracted a roster of dignitaries that underscored its growing international weight. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Tourism. President Dickon Mitchell of Granada attended in person. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama sent a representative. Elder statesman General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma was represented by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Also present were Senator David Jimkuta and host Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, alongside traditional rulers and stakeholders from across the country.
At the heart of the festival, as always, was the fishing competition itself — the symbolic act that gives Nwonyo its soul. Participants cast their nets into the famed lake in a contest that is as much about identity and heritage as it is about catch weight. This year, the Taraba State Government put up ₦15 million in prize money, sending a clear signal that the state is serious about monetising its waterways assets.
Haruna Saleh Busara took the top prize of ₦10 million after hauling in an impressive 55.5 kilograms of fish. Samaila Yakubu followed in second place with 52.6 kilograms, earning ₦3 million, while Emmanuel Daniel rounded out the podium with 18.2 kilograms and a ₦2 million reward.
President Tinubu, speaking through his representative, described the festival as a mirror of Nigeria’s unity in diversity and a key driver of tourism. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging culture as an economic engine — a message that resonates directly with ongoing national conversations about the blue economy.
Governor Kefas used the occasion to pitch Taraba State as safe, open, and investment-ready, announcing plans to expand the festival’s global footprint. For a state endowed with rivers, lakes, and fertile fishing grounds, the Nwonyo festival is a flagship opportunity to position those waterways as engines of growth rather than mere geographic features.
General Danjuma, also represented, called the festival a symbol of unity in diversity, noting its enduring role in preserving cultural identity and fostering national cohesion. Senator Jimkuta echoed that sentiment, pointing to the economic ripple effects felt by local traders, transporters, and hospitality operators whenever thousands of visitors descend on the lakeside community.
Those economic benefits were visible this year. Markets swelled, boat operators were in high demand, and guesthouses reported full capacity — a microcosm of what Nigeria’s inland water communities can achieve when their natural assets are properly showcased.
The Nwonyo International Fishing Festival has been held for more than a century, evolving from a local Jukun fishing tradition into an internationally recognised cultural institution. Its trajectory is a reminder that Nigeria’s waterways — so often discussed in terms of security threats, oil spills, or flooding — are also sites of living heritage, ecological wealth, and considerable economic promise.
The 2026 edition has placed Taraba State firmly on the global cultural map. But for the waterways community, the larger story is this: when Nigeria’s inland waters are celebrated, managed, and invested in, everyone benefits — from the fisherman hauling his catch at dawn to the diplomat watching from the lakeside.
Adapted from a report by Laraba Haruna
Lagos to Close Jetties, Terminals on Five Cowries Creek for E1 Championship
By Waterwaysnews.ng
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has announced a four-day partial closure of all private and commercial jetties and terminals along the Five Cowries Creek to accommodate the E1 Championship powerboat racing event.The closure, scheduled from Thursday, October 2 to Sunday, October 5, 2025, will facilitate the hosting of the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing tournament, with Lagos serving as one of the championship’s host cities.
In a statement released Tuesday by its Public Relations Unit, LASWA outlined a phased closure schedule to minimize disruption while ensuring safety during the event.
On Thursday, October 2, a partial closure will affect the stretch from Falomo Bridge to Oriental Hotel between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The following day, Friday, October 3, will see a total closure from Oriental Hotel to Mekwen Bridge during the same hours.The most extensive restrictions will occur over the weekend, with a total closure from Falomo Bridge to Oriental Hotel enforced between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM on both Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5.
LASWA emphasized that the waterways restriction is a critical safety and security measure designed to ensure seamless event operations, protect lives, and showcase Lagos as a world-class venue for international sporting events.
Normal ferry operations on the affected routes are expected to resume on Monday, October 6, 2025. The authority has urged waterway users to plan ahead and utilize alternative ferry routes during the closure period.
“The Lagos State Government appreciates your patience and understanding as we work together to deliver this historic world championship,” the statement concluded.
Blue Economy
Nigeria’s 853km Coastline Remains Underutilized Despite Billion-Naira Tourism Potential
Nigeria’s 853km Coastline Remains Underutilized Despite Billion-Naira Tourism Potential
By Waterways News
Published: September 23, 2025
Nigeria is hemorrhaging billions of naira annually due to its failure to harness the immense potential of its maritime tourism sector, with industry experts warning that the country’s 853-kilometer coastline remains grossly underutilized despite its vast economic promise.
Recent analyses reveal that Nigeria is losing estimated N20 billion revenue annually from failing to develop tourism infrastructure along its extensive coastline. This figure represents just a fraction of the broader maritime sector losses, as the country loses over $3 billion every year to smuggling and illicit activities alone in the maritime domain.
The untapped potential extends beyond tourism, with maritime experts arguing that the nation can generate N7 trillion annually through the enormous potential inherent in the blue economy sector. However, Nigeria’s maritime tourism remains stunted by a constellation of challenges that have persisted for decades.
Infrastructure Deficit Hampers Development
Poor road networks, unreliable transportation services, and limited access to essential amenities such as clean water and electricity pose significant obstacles to tourism development, according to recent industry assessments. The infrastructure challenges are particularly acute in coastal areas, where water-based tourist destinations experience lack of infrastructure, most especially functional ferries or other water transport, piers, canoes and boats for pleasure activities.
The lack of critical infrastructure, including poor road networks, inadequate airports, unreliable intercity transport, and erratic power supply, has hindered the growth of the tourism economy, making it increasingly difficult for the country to attract both domestic and international tourists to its coastal regions.
Security Concerns Compound Challenges
Beyond infrastructure deficits, security challenges continue to plague Nigeria’s maritime tourism development. Many areas with rich natural and cultural attractions remain underdeveloped due to security concerns, further limiting the sector’s growth potential.
Industry analysts note that Nigeria’s challenge of tourism is not the absence of tourist locations or captivating cultures, it is rather a case of poor infrastructure, insecurity, inadequate funding, corruption and the lack of implementation of comprehensive development plans.
Broader Maritime Sector Losses
The maritime tourism deficit forms part of a larger pattern of unrealized potential in Nigeria’s maritime economy. The shipping sector alone accounts for significant losses, with Nigeria losing a staggering $9 billion annually due to the absence of functional ocean-going vessels for affreightment, particularly for crude oil.
Additionally, the country loses over $23 billion to untapped blue economy potential when accounting for various maritime activities including shipping, fishing, and offshore oil operations.
Path Forward Requires Integrated Approach
Maritime industry stakeholders emphasize that unlocking Nigeria’s coastal tourism potential requires an integrated policy approach that aligns with Nigeria’s Vision 2050 and the Sustainable development framework. This includes addressing the fundamental challenges of policy gaps, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to financing.
Recent studies suggest that tourism can diversify revenue away from oil, boosting employment and infrastructure development, making it a critical component of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy.
Government Response Needed
Industry experts call for immediate government intervention to address the systemic challenges preventing the realization of Nigeria’s maritime tourism potential. Without decisive action, the country risks continuing to lose billions in potential revenue while coastal communities remain economically marginalized.
The development of Nigeria’s maritime tourism sector represents not just an economic opportunity but a strategic imperative for a nation seeking to reduce its dependence on oil revenues and create sustainable employment for its growing population.
For more waterways and maritime news, visit waterwaysnews.ng
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