12 Most Loved
Cities in Nigeria
4 July 2015
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.

But My City, BENIN CITY is The Best and Most Lovable of them All. How about your own city?

Crappy list putting Minna just disqualified ur list. And for the fact that kaduna is missing makes ur list Messed up.

Ilorin is the bomb, though they are suffering in the hands of saraki the chief looter

Enugu life, highly commercialised and fast lane in one sentence is making my head spin
Where did you bring this from?


We love Enugu...but not for these reasons which are not quite true
Thanks

milychocs:
Enugu life, highly commercialised and fast lane in one sentence is making my head spin
Where did you bring this from?


We love Enugu...but not for these reasons which are not quite true
Thanks

The irony of all these compilations is that they are be done by mostly Yoruba people who have not travelled beyond Ore in Ondo State.

They are trying everything posible to sell Ibadan but that is non of my businesses

AnambraDota:


The irony of all these compilations is that they are be done by mostly Yoruba people who have not travelled beyond Ore in Ondo State.

They are trying everything posible to sell Ibadan but that is non of my businesses