Nigeria is a fascinating
destination, blessed with
amazing cities and towns.
Most of these cities and
towns are known across
the country for their
fascinating attractions,
beautiful scenery, natural
resources and cultural
heritage. Abuja, the capital
city is one of the most
loved cities in the country.
There are other major
cities in Nigeria which are
very much loved and
visited. Some are loved for
their homeliness and
hospitable demeanour,
others are for their
economic and business
advantages; yet more are
loved for their availability
of fun, tourism and
vacation spots.
We’ve scouted about, dug
around and browsed the
Internet for
recommendations from
Nigerians, and tourists, and
we still came up with a
definitive list of the most
loved cities in Nigeria.
Therefore, in no particular
order, here are the most
loved cities in Nigeria to
visit:
1. Ibadan
It’s also called the ‘ancient
city’ and it’s the state
capital of Oyo. It’s
described as the biggest
city in the whole of West
Africa. Located in the
south-western part of
Nigeria it is densely
populated with so many
industrial and commercial
activities. This city has the
first advance learning
institution – the University
of Ibadan (formally the
university college Ibadan),
also the first sky scrapper
(Cocoa house) and the first
teaching hospital in Africa.
The city is made up of
interwoven streets with
local and international
markets and malls. This
city is known for tourism
too, with a remarkable
museum in the African
study institution, botanical
and Zoological garden in
Agodi and in the University
of Ibadan respectively,
Mapo colonial city hall.
Life in this town is
beautiful with diversity of
lifestyle and culture.
2. Abuja
Nigeria’s Federal capital,
Abuja is currently one of
the most developed cities
in the country. Little
wonder it is loved and
experiencing alarming
levels of immigration.
Abuja is Nigeria’s seat of
power and it is believed
that in Abuja, life is good.
Whether rich, middle class
or poor, there somehow is
a place for all. It is also
considered a highly
business destination. While
in Abuja, experience a
different kind of sightseeing
that will make your visit
memorable. Places like
Jabi Lake, Silverbird
Cinema and Millennium
Park are really cool spots
to unwind and have fun.
For folks who love to shop,
some of the big shopping
stores in Abuja will give
you value for your money.
3. Jos
‘J town’ as it is popularly
called is one of the “cool”
and most loved cities in
the northern region of
Nigeria. Aside from its
recent crisis, the city is a
lot of fun and people love it
particularly for the weather
and serene environment.
The southern part of Jos is
said to be peaceful and the
people there are really
accommodating. What’s
more? The standard of
living in Jos is very
affordable. It also boasts a
number of attractions
including two museums, a
wildlife park and game
reserve, breathtaking
waterfalls and striking hills
and rocks. Jos is a
beautiful town and is a
really nice place to raise a
family or live.
4. Calabar
Located in South-eastern
Nigeria and watered by the
Great Kwa and Calabar
rivers, the city is home to a
variety of attractions such
as Obudu Cattle Ranch and
Tinapa Resort. The city
attracts visitors with its
array of tasty delicacies,
beautiful architecture and
festivals. Every year,
Calabar hosts Africa’s
biggest street party known
as the Calabar Carnival,
where diverse colourful
cultural costumes are
displayed. There’s never a
dull moment in this
carnival. For indigenous
vacation in Nigeria,
Calabar is often the first
location that comes to
people’s mind. The city
boasts of several other
attractions including an
integrated sports complex,
a free trade zone and Port
and an international air
and sea port among many
others.
5. Minna
Photo Source:
Juju Films on Flickr
Located in the west central
part of Nigeria, Minna is a
quiet and loveable
commercial city. This
beautiful town was a
collection point for
agricultural produce way
back then. According to
history, Minna was a
labour camp for railway
construction and this led to
the gradual development of
the town to now a major
commercial city. The
populace in this area are
involved in all sorts of
farming. This town is not
densely populated and it
has a blend of several
cultures and life styles.
Minna has some notable
tourist sites to her name
amongst which are the
Gurara falls, Baro port
(which was used in the
colonial days for
transport), The Wushishi
Transway engine (First
railway Locomotive engine
and others like Kainji lake
national park that is not so
far from the city. Electricity
is very constant because of
the proximity of the Kainji
Dam to the town. Food,
accommodation, transport
and general life style here
is quite affordable.
6. Enugu
Popularly known as ‘coal
city’, a pseudonym that
was given to Enugu due to
its mining activities..
Located at the south-
eastern part of Nigeria, it’s
the state capital of Enugu.
It’s described as one of the
oldest urban areas within
the region. Her populace
are involved in agriculture,
besides the mining of coal
and other solid minerals.
Enugu is loved by so many
not just for ‘coal’ but for its
notable tourist destinations
like Nike Holiday Resort,
Iva Valley (coal mine) and
the famous Nmanwu
Cultural Festival. The road
network here is well
designed with so many
state of the art buildings
(complexes and malls). In
general, it is highly
commercialised and life in
Enugu is like living on a
fast lane.
7. Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt is a coastal
city with scenic shorelines.
This city as described by
tourist is a “centre of black
jewel (oil)”. It is known as
the Garden city because of
its greenery and aesthetic
parks within the
metropolis. This city is the
state capital of Rivers
located in the south-south
region of Nigeria. This
town is known for its level
of commerce as far back
as 1912 due to the
presence of the sea port
(used for exports). This
city is densely populated
and full of industrial
activities. It is home to so
many multinational
companies, most of which
are affiliated to oil and gas.
Port-Harcourt city is loved
for numerous reasons but
most for its wealth as a
result of oil. She is home
to many tourist sites such
as Sea Ports, Isaac Boro
Park, Monument of Jaja,
Bony Island, Ifoko Beach,
the oil refineries, the
tourist beach etc. The
standard of living here is
high and this spans across
food, shelter and clothing.
The city is well known for
its lively and dynamic
nightlife.
8. Uyo
Photo Source: Jae
Pete on Flickr
Once adjudged the neatest
city in Nigeria, Uyo is a
cool, calm, classy and
serene destination. Also in
South-eastern Nigeria, it is
the capital of Akwa Ibom, a
major oil producing state
in the country. The city is
loved for its peace and
serenity among other
things. Although life in Uyo
is quite expensive, people
don’t mind because of the
low crime and crisis rate.
The inhabitants are
predominantly farmers and
traders. With the increased
level of infrastructural
growth and human
development, Uyo is
definitely a place to look
out for. The Ibom
connection and Le Meridien
Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort,
Ibom Tropicana Resort and
other projects under
construction are some of
the soon to be bubbling
spots in the area.
9. Kano
The city of Kano is the
capital of Kano state in
Northern Nigeria. The
second largest city in
Nigeria, Kano is the second
major seat of the Hausas/
Fulanis, the other being
Sokoto. Kano is an ancient
city and is the pride of
most Northerners. The city
boasts an international
airport and a number of
tourist attractions including
Bagauda Lake/Tiga Lake
Resort Man-made, Tourist
Camp, Audu Bako Zoo,
Gidan Makama Museum
Monument/Museum and
Kofar Mata Dyeing Pit
among others. The major
festival is the Durbar
festival hosted by the Emir
of Kano to mark and
celebrate the two annual
Muslim festivals Eid-ul-
Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The
majority of the populace
are farmers which is no
surprise since Kano is
considered the most
extensively irrigated with
over 3 million hectares of
land suitable for
cultivation.
10. Warri
It’s one of the biggest
cities In Delta state.
Located on the Lower
Niger/Delta coast line. Its
not the state capital but
it’s more popular and has
a lot of history compared
to Asaba the capital. Its an
old town known for oil
production and the
presence of the traditional
kingdom Warri, dated back
as far as the 15th and 16th
century. Its a port town
that has a lot of industrial
activities (oil and steel).
People from this notable
town are called wafarians,
known for business and
tourism. The presence of
oil has a ripple effect on its
commerce. Tourism here is
huge as tourist are
exposed to attractions like
the palace of the Olu of
Warri, Nama palace, Koko
Red Mangrove Swamp,
Effurun Garden Park,
beaches and resorts.
11. Lagos
It’s the most populous city
in according to population
census. It is also known as
the economic capital of
Nigeria. This mega city is
separated by water bodies
into two main parts (Island
and Mainland). It is located
in the south-western part
of Nigeria. Lagos is known
for commerce, filled with
industries from all
economic sectors. The
road network is next to
none and it boasts of a
good number of tall
buildings and sky
scrappers. The nightlife in
this city is as busy as the
day, painted with a lot
malls, clubs, restaurants
and bars. Visitors will
always have a first class
experience in terms of
buying and selling. Lagos
has local and international
markets of all kind. The
coastline makes Lagos a
ravishing beauty!
12. Ilorin
Ilorin is a very interesting
city. It’s a city that has not
really being in the lime
light but is surprisingly one
of the largest cities in
Nigeria. The capital of
Kwara, Ilorin is located in
the North Central region of
the country. As quiet as
Ilorin seems, it has an
international cargo airport,
a 20,000 capacity stadium
and the only standard base
ball Court in West Africa.
Ilorin is also home to
several prominent
“learned” men and women
as the legal profession is
really strong there. Ilorin is
blessed with several
natural resources and the
standard of living is
affordable. Pottery and
traditional textile industry
among others are thriving
businesses there also.
Tourist attractions in the
area include the Esie
museum and the stately
Sobi Hill; and that is why it
is one of the most loved
cities in Nigeria.

A few photos would have done a lot of good to your article.

Nice write up.










I ♥ Uyo and 042!!