some landmarks and monuments located in Nigeria, West Africa

1. LANDMARKS AND
MONUMENTS IN NIGERIA
Dr. Basil Bemgba
Achie MBBS Ibadan

2. MURTALA MUHAMMED
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,
LAGOS
Nigeria’s busiest airport, the Murtala
Muhammed International airport is
located in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
It was originally known as Lagos
International Airport when it was built
during World War II,
It was renamed after former Nigerian
military head of state Murtala
Muhammed in the 1970s.
It consists of an international and a
domestic terminal, located about one
kilometre from each other.
MMIA is managed by Federal Airport
Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

3. NATIONAL CHRISTIAN
CENTER, ABUJA
Previously known as National
Ecumenical Center, the National
Christian Center is an
interdenominational church building
located in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Designed by Darchiwork Group in
a Postmodern version of the Neo-
gothic style.
Started in 1989, it was initially
dormant for 16 years before the
Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN) raised funds to reactivate its
completion in 2004.
It was completed in 2005 and
dedicated on 2 October 2005.
It is notable as a symbol of Christian
unity in Nigeria

4. CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF
CHRIST, MARINA, LAGOS
The Cathedral Church of Christ
Marina, Lagos, is an
Anglican cathedral on Lagos Island,
Lagos, Nigeria.
Built in 1869, the Cathedral is
considered the first Anglican Church
in the Church of Nigeria.
It was rebuilt in its present form in
1946 in the Norman Gothic style,
designed by architect Bagan
Benjamin.

5. LAGOS CITY HALL, LAGOS
Secretariat of the oldest local
government in Nigeria.
Located at Catholic Mission Street,
Lagos Island.
It was established in 1900 as the
secretariat of the past British Lagos
Colony.
It was commissioned in 1968 as the
premier seat of local government
administration in Lagos and Nigeria.
It is a historical, political and cultural
landmark for metropolitan Lagos.
Complete rehabilitation of the building
to fit the modern standard of
architectural designs was carried out
in March 2007

6. TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE,
LAGOS
Ceremonial ground built in 1972 on
the site of Nigeria’s independence
celebration, then called Race Course.
The Tafawa Balewa Square was built
by the government of former military
Head of State Yakubu Gowon and
named after Nigeria’s first Prime
Minister Tafawa Balewa.
The entrance to the square has
gigantic sculptures of four white
horses hovering above the gate and
seven red eagles, which are symbols
from the national emblem signifying
Strength and Dignity respectively.
Major national events at TBS include
Nigeria’s independence celebrations,
Democracy Day celebrations, musical
jamborees and religious gatherings.

7. THE NATIONAL ARTS
THEATRE, LAGOS
The National Arts Theatre is the
primary centre for the performing arts
in Nigeria.
Located in Iganmu, Apapa Local
Government of Lagos State.
Built in 1976 in preparation for The
Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC)
in 1977.
Shaped like a military hat, the building
has a 5,000-seater Main Hall with a
collapsible stage, and two capacity
cinema halls, all of which are
equipped with facilities for
simultaneous translation of 8
languages; among others.
The National Arts Theatre was
designed and constructed by
Bulgarian construction company
(Techno Exporstroy).

8. MOSHOOD ABIOLA
STADIUM, ABUJA
Formerly known as National Stadium,
Abuja, it was renamed Moshood Abiola
National Stadium on 12 June 2019, after
M.K.O. Abiola, the presumed winner of
the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
It is a multipurpose national sports
stadium located in Abuja, in the Federal
Capital Territory of Nigeria.
The stadium was constructed to host
the 8th All Africa Games which took
place in October 2003.

9. ECOWAS SECRETARIAT
BUILDING, ABUJA
This is the most important ECOWAS
structure in the world located at
Asokoro District of Abuja, the capital
of Nigeria.
As the secretariat of ECOWAS, it
houses all personas, diplomats,
staff, and activities that work to
achieve the goals of the ECOWAS
community.
The Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) is a
regional political and economic
union of fifteen countries located in
West Africa.

10. NNPC TOWERS, ABUJA
The corporate headquarters of Nigeria
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
consisting of four identical towers.
Located at Herbert Macaulay Way, central
Business District, Garki, Abuja.
Built in 1996, each of the four towers is 246
feet high and are arranged as the corners of a
square.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC) is a federal government agency in
charge of the petroleum sector.

11. EKO WHITE PEARL
TOWERS, LAGOS
Five Residential High Rise Buildings located
in Eko Atlantic, Lagos..
Privately owned & developed by the Eko
Pearl Construction Company.
The tower is a collection of deluxe two, three
bedroom & penthouse type apartments with
viewing access to the Lagos coastline
Designed by the Architecture firm TAA (Tabet
Atelier d Architecture), the towers all range
from 24 and 33 floors.
The towers are Eko Black Pearl, Eko White
Pearl, Champagne Pearl, Indigo Pearl and
Aqua Pearl.

12. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
COMPLEX, ABUJA, NIGERIA
Legislative building of the National
Assembly of Nigeria, located in the three
arm zone of the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja.
Built in 1999, the building houses a
bicameral legislature consisting of a
Senate and House of Representatives.
The complex was constructed by I.T.B.
Nigeria Limited.
Modeled after the United States Capitol,
it is one of the architectural landmarks in
the Nigeria capital city of Abuja.

13. INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE CENTRE,
ABUJA
Abuja International Conference
Center (AICC) is located at 900
Herbert Macaulay Way Garki, Abuja,
It has specialized facilities for both
Government and public functions.
It provides an ideal location for
themed and large events and is
ideal for concerts, consumer and
trade shows, large receptions or
galas and other special events.

14. THE LOKOJA
CONFLUENCE, KOGI STATE
The River Niger meets the Benue
River at a point called the Lokoja
Confluence, in Lokoja, Kogi State.
From here it drains southwards into
the Atlantic ocean,
This forms the Y-shape that is seen
on a map of Nigeria,
The confluence is the greatest
landmark associated with Lokoja,
the Capital of Kogi State, hence the
acronym ‘Confluence state’.

15. MARY SLESSOR
ROUNDABOUT, CALABAR
Erected in honour of the Scottish
evangelist, Mary Slessor, famed for
stopping the killing of twins in the Efik
Culture, Calabar, in Cross River State.
Mary Slessor came to Calabar on the
11th of September, 1876 and died on
January 13th, 1915.
The Roundabout connects Ndidem
Usang Iso Road and Mary Slessor Road
in Calabar.
The statue depicts the missionary
carrying twin babies in both arms.

16. THE CIVIC CENTRE,
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS
A grand event center in Victoria Island,
Lagos, located on the Ozumba Mbadiwe
Avenue.
Designed by John Cubitt Architects.
The event center offers a breathtaking
waterfront view from its three
banqueting halls.
Considered one of the most beautiful
and fascinating structures in Lagos

17. AKWA IBOM INTERNATIONAL
STADIUM, UYO
A world-class 30,000 capacity
multifunctional stadium for sporting
events, entertainment and general
recreation.
Located at Ring Road III, Uyo, Akwa
Ibom State.
It meets the requirements of FIFA for
World Cup qualifying matches and the
World Athletics Association for national
competitions.
It was constructed between 2011 and
2014 and inaugurated on 7 November
2014.

18. AGODI GARDENS, OYO
STATE
Agodi Gardens is a tourist attraction
located on Parliament road Ibadan,
Oyo state, Nigeria.
Created in 1967, it was originally
called Agodi Zoological and
Botanical Gardens.
Following renovation, it was
renamed Agodi Gardens in 2014.
Agodi Gardens contains an
indigenous forest, zoo, a lake and
tree plantations.

19. YANKARI NATIONAL PARK,
BAUCHI STATE
One of Nigeria's foremost tourist
attractions, the Yankari National
Park is located in the south-central
part of Bauchi State in northeastern
Nigeria.
Home to a wide variety of flora and
fauna as well as several natural
warm water springs.
It was created as a game reserve in
1956 and designated a national park
in 1991.

20. ANCIENT NOK SETTLEMENT,
JABA, KADUNA
Nok village is located in Kaduna State of
central Nigeria
The Nok civilization used to inhabit the area
from around 500 BC, they vanished
mysteriously in about 200 AD
The ancient settlement was discovered in
1928 due to tin mining activity in the area.
The inhabitants were known for their
advanced social system and were the earliest
producers of life-sized Terracotta in the Sub-
Sahara;.
They were known to make some of the oldest
and culturally intriguing sculptures found in
Africa.

21. IDANRE HILLS, ONDO
STATE
Idanre Hills is an ancient monument and
major tourist destination in Ondo
state, Nigeria.
In the past, the hills provided protection for
the ancient town of Idanre from invaders
The different hills were named after historical
figures of Idanre land
Namely the Olofin hills, the Orosun Hill,
the Ajimoba Hill, the Carter Hill, and
the Aghagha Hill
The hills were added to the UNESCO World
Heritage on October 8, 2007, in the cultural
category.

22. OLUMO ROCK, ABEOKUTA
Olumo rock is located in the heart of
Abeokuta, Ogun State of Nigeria.
It has a height of 137meters above sea
level and has stairs carved into it for
easy climbing as well as an elevator.
It was used in the past as a natural
fortress during inter-tribal warfare.

23. EMIR OF KANO’S PALACE,
KANO
The Gidan Rumfa, sometimes called the
Gidan Sarki, is the palace of the Emir of
Kano.
Located in the city of Kano, Kano State,
Nigeria, it was constructed in the late 15th
century.
It was built by Sarkin Muhammadu Rumfa
(King Muhammad Rumfa) who ruled from
1463 to 1499
It bcovers an area of 14 hectares and is the
oldest and largest traditional palace in
Northern Nigeria
The Laterite palace has been rebuilt several
times to its modern glory since the Fulani
Jihad of 1805

24. AKWA IBOM DIGITAL
LIBRARY, UYO
The Akwa Ibom e- Library is a State
owned library with digitized and
electronic materials.
Located at IBB Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom
State, it was built by Akwa Ibom State
Government in 2012.
It is West Africa's first digital library, and
one of the biggest digital libraries in
Africa.
It can be accessed by users through the
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC).

25. ZUMA ROCK, NIGER STATE
Zuma Rock is a large igneous rock
monolith located at Madalla, Niger
State, just north of the capital city of
Abuja.
One of the most prominent
landmarks in Nigeria, it has been
depicted on the 100 naira note since
1999.
The rock was used in the past as a
defensive retreat by the Gbagyi
people against invading
neighbouring tribes during intertribal
wars.
It has a height of 300 meters (980
feet) above the surrounding area
with a circumference of 3.1km.

26. ASO ROCK, ABUJA
Aso Rock is a large outcrop of
monolith granite rock located on the
outskirts of Abuja.
In Gbagyi (or Gwan) language, the
word “Aso means “success” or
“victory”.
Asokoro, the name of one of the
local areas means “people of
victory.”
Located around it are The Nigerian
Presidential Complex, The Nigerian
National Assembly, and the Nigerian
Supreme Court.

27. ABUJA NATIONAL
MOSQUE, ABUJA
Otherwise known as Nigeria
National Mosque, the Abuja National
Mosque is located in the capital
city, Abuja, on Independence
Avenue, across from the National
Christian Centre.
Built in 1984, it includes a library
and a conference room.
The four minarets are about 120
meters high, while the large golden
central dome is 60 meters.

28. GURARA WATERFALLS,
GURARA, NIGER STATE
Gurara waterfalls is located in
Gurara local government of Niger
State, between Suleja and Minna in
Niger State, about an hour’s drive
from Abuja.
The waterfalls span 200 meters
across with a sheer drop of 30
meters
Gurara river is a large tributary of
river Niger.
Oral history also has it that Gurara
Waterfalls and Gurara River were
named after two deities called Gura
and Rara.

29. ERIN IJESHA WATERFALLS,
OSUN STATE
Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls (also known
as Olumirin waterfalls) is a tourist
attraction located in Oriade Local
Government Area of Osun State.
It is a seven step waterfall with a
combination of hills, valleys, rocks
and lush green vegetation.
The natives regard the waterfall as a
sacred site and a means of purifying
their souls.

30. AWHUM WATERFALL AND
CAVE, UDI, ENUGU STATE
The Awhum waterfall is 30 metre
high and is located around the
Awhum Monastery at Amaugwe
village of Awhum town in Udi Local
Government Area, Enugu State,
Nigeria.
The waterfall is as a result of
massive outcrop of granite rock with
water cascading over the top
forming a stream.
Popular for religious tourism, the
water is said to have healing power
and capable of dispelling evil forces
if and wherever it is sprinkled.

31. IKOGOSI WARM SPRINGS,
EKITI STATE
A tourist attraction located at
Ikogosi, a town in Ekiti State,
southwestern Nigeria.
A unique site where warm and cold
springs merge, both maintaining
their thermal properties.
The meeting point of the warm and
cold springs is a unique attraction to
tourists.

32. OWU WATERFALL, KWARA
STATE
The highest waterfall in west Africa,
the Owu Waterfall measures 120
meters above the water level.
It is located in Owa Kajola in
Ifelodun Local Government Area of
Kwara State.

33. SLAVE HISTORY MUSEUM,
CALABAR
A museum located in Calabar, in Cross
River State of Nigeria, established in
2007 and opened on 17 March 2011.
Calabar was a major embarkation port
of the African Slave Trade.
About 200,000 Africans were sold as
slaves from Calabar between 1662 and
1863.
The museum was established to bring
the history of the slave trade to more
people and in a more immediate manner
than historical writing alone.

34. LEKKI CONSERVATION
CENTER, LAGOS
A Natural Resource Conservation in
Lekki, Lagos State of Nigeria.
Built by the Chevron Corporation for
the Nigerian Conservation
Foundation (NCF).
The Nigerian conservation
Foundation is a non-governmental
organization dedicated to
sustainable development and nature
conservation.
The conservation center is home to
abundant plants and wildlife.

35. SUKUR KINGDOM,
ADAMAWA STATE
The Sukur Kingdom is a landscape
located on a hill above the village of
Sukur in the Adamawa State of Nigeria.
The inhabitants were renowned for their
traditional technology, such as mining,
refining and smithing of iron ore.
It is the first Nigerian landmark to be
listed on the UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, it was granted in 1999.

36. DAKKADA TOWERS, UYO,
AKWA IBOM STATE
A 21-storey office development
located in the Central Business
District of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The smart building was developed
by the Akwa Ibom State
Government.
Constructed by VKS Nigeria
Construction Ltd between 2017 and
2020.
It was commissioned by then Vice
President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo
in 2021.

37. AGBOKIM WATERFALL,
CROSS RIVER STATE
Agbokim waterfall is a collection of
seven cascades which pour over a
cliff creating an impressive seven-
part waterfall.
Situated in Etung local government
area of Cross River State.

38. OBUDU MOUNTAIN RESORT,
CROSS RIVER STATE
Formerly known as Obudu Cattle Ranch, the
Obudu Mountain Resort is located at the
Obudu Plateau, close to the Cameroon
border, in the Northeastern part of Cross
Rivers State.
One of the most beautiful and pleasant tourist
centers in Nigeria, the temperate climate
offers a total contrast and welcome respite
from Africa’s tropical heat.
It was developed in 1951 by Mr. McCaughley,
a Scot who first explored the mountain ranges
in 1949.

39. MUNGO PARK HOUSE,
ASABA, DELTA STATE
Mungo Park House was erected by
the Royal Niger Company (RNC) in
1886.
It was built to keep alive the memory
of Mungo Park, a Briton who
‘discovered the source of the River
Niger’, and died there in 1806.
Mungo Park House was the first
headquarters of the Royal Niger
Company and became Nigeria’s first
political headquarters in 1900.

40. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF
UNITY, ENUGU STATE
Located in GRA Enugu along
Abakaliki road, near Ogui junction
and the Old Governor’s Lodge.
The museum is replete with rich
historical artifacts, models, statues
and works of art from various parts
of the country.
It preserves the national cultural
heritage, and provides guided tours
and research facilities for scholars
and interested parties.
Comprises of three different
galleries: (1) Nigerian Believe
system. Unity gallery, (2) Igbo

41. NGWO-PINE-FOREST,
ENUGU STATE
Ngwo Pine Forest Forest is located
in Old Enugu-Onitsha Road, Ngwo-
Asaa, Nigeria.
It is a forest of pine trees with a
dozen fascinating caves formed of
limestone,
Ngwo Pine Forest attracts
many local as well as international
tourists.

42. ADA PALM PLANTATION,
IMO STATE
Ada Palm in Imo state, Nigeria, is
the biggest palm plantation in
Nigeria.

43. BIRNIN KUDU ROCK
PAINTINGS, JIGAWA STATE
Located in Birnin kudu, south of Jigawa State,
the Birnin Kudu Rock Paintings are the oldest
in Nigeria.
The rock paintings, dating to centuries before
the colonization of Northern Nigeria, were
discovered 1950 to 1955 and are executed in
red pigments.
The rock art depicts various images of
animals such as cattle and sheep, as well as
geometric signs.
They were likely used for ritual and ancestral
purposes.

44. KAJURU CASTLE, KADUNA
STATE
A luxury villa in Kajuru (Ajure) village
in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Though it may look like it, Kajuru
Castle is not an old monument.
It was built between the years 1981
and 1989 by a German expatriate
who lived in Kaduna at the time.
It is built with meter thick granite
stone to reflect medieval Bavarian
theme, with turrets, armory and
dungeons.

45. GIDAN MAKAMA MUSEUM
KANO, KANO STATE
The Gidan Makama Museum also
known as Kano Museum is located
in Kano, Nigeria.
Once the temporary palace of Kano
before the construction of the
current palace.
The 15th century historical building is
recognized as a National Monument
by the government of Nigeria.
Gidan Makama is now a museum of
considerable prestige housing an
impressive collection of arts, crafts,
and historical artifacts that paint a
vivid picture of Kano's past.

46. MUNGO PARK MONUMENT,
KWARA STATE
Located at Hill side, Along Niger Bridge,
Gungu, Jebba, in Kaiama LGA of Kwara
State.
Erected in honor of Mungo Park, the first
westerner to explore the River Niger.
Built in memory of the shipwreck that
claimed his life at the site while tracing
the source of the Niger.
The monument is jointly dedicated to
Mungo Park and Richard Lander, who
completed Mungo Park’s expedition.

47. FREEDOM PARK LAGOS,
LAGOS
Freedom Park is a memorial and
leisure park area in the middle of
downtown Lagos in Lagos Island,
Nigeria.
Formerly Old Broad Street Prison in
colonial times, the new Freedom
Park Lagos was designed by the
Architect Theo Lawson.
Constructed to preserve the history
and cultural heritage of Nigerians
and to mark the 50th anniversary
independence celebration in
October, 2010.
The Park serves as a National
Memorial, a Historical landmark, a
Cultural site as well as Arts and

48. LEKKI IKOYI LINK BRIDGE,
LAGOS
The Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge is a 1.36
km (0.84 mile) cable-stayed bridge
in Lagos State.
It links the Phase 1 area of Lekki,
with Ikoyi district of Lagos.
Constructed by Julius Berger
Nigeria, the bridge is the first cable-
stayed bridge to be built in Nigeria
The bridge was commissioned on
29 May 2013 by then Governor of
Lagos State, Babatunde Raji
Fashola.

49. THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE,
LAGOS
Measuring about 11.8km in length,
the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, is
the longest bridge in Africa.
The longest of three bridges
connecting Lagos Island to the
mainland, the other two being the
Eko and Carter bridges.
It was built by Julius Berger and
commissioned by former military
President Ibrahim Babangida in
1990.

50. CENTENARY HALL, OGUN
STATE
The Centenary Hall is located in Ake’s
area of Abeokuta opposite the Ake’s
Palace, notable as the symbol of the
Egba people's settlement in Abeokuta.
The idea of the building emanated
from the Alake of Egbaland to
commemorate the Centenary (100
years) of Egba settlement in
Abeokuta.
The Design for the Hall was drawn by
Mr. H.A. Porter, Senior Architect from
Public Works Department
Headquarters
The foundation stone ceremony of the
Hall was performed by Alayeluwa Oba
Ladapo Ademola II on the 19th July,
1930.

51. OWO MUSEUM OF
ANTIQUES, ONDO STATE
A museum in Owo, Nigeria.
Founded in 1968 to accommodate the
antiquities which were formerly in the
Olowo Palace for the purpose of
preserving the antiquities of the
monarchical history of the Owo
kingdom
Due to Owo’s location between the
two famous art centers of Ife and
Benin, the site reflects both artistic
traditions.
The museum holds an array of rich
historical and archaeological artefacts
arranged into three broad sections –
early civilisation, archaeological
excavations and exhibition gallery.

52. BOWER MEMORIAL TOWER
IBADAN, OYO STATE
Located on the summit of Oke-Are,
the highest hill in Ibadan, the
monument was put up in 1936 to
honour Captain Robert Lister Bower.
Captain Robert Lister was the first
British Resident of Ibadan. and
administered it between 1893 and
1897.
The Bower’s Tower was designed by
Taffy Jones.
The tower is 60 feet high and 11 feet
square with two entrances and a spiral
staircase that leads to the top of the
tower.
The highest point in the city, the tower
gives a panoramic view of the city

53. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN,
IBADAN, OYO STATE
The oldest university in Nigeria,
established in 1932, originally as an
affiliated College of the University of
London.
It became an independent federal
university in 1962.
University of Ibadan’s Postgraduate
School is the largest in Africa.
The best ranked University in
Nigeria, it has been consistently
ranked among the best 1000
universities in the world since the
year 2016.