Kwara State is a state on the rise, forget about the political propagandas, the government is doing their very best. Exploring diverse sectors to improve the state's economy. Here are little known tourist attractions that exists in the state, courtesy of the state government.

1. Owu-Fall
This is one of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in West-Africa. It is a perennial waterfall cascading from a height of about 120 meters to the base where it forms an ice-cold pool. It is surrounded by a luxuriant vegetation and beautiful landscape, which provides the site with a refreshing atmosphere.
Location/Accessibility: Ilere District in Ifelodun LGA. It is accessible through State and local roads. It is 112 kilometers to the state capital.
Accommodation: Availability in near towns of Owu-Isin, Oke-Onigbin and Omu-Aran at affordable rates.
Time of visiting: All round the year.

2. A massive rock formation with natural architectural design, capable of accommodating about 100 people at a time. It is a good site for picnic and monumental experience. The Rockshelter at various times served as a safety hide-out for local maidens protesting against their peers who engaged in pre-marital relations and become pregnant.
Location/Accessibility: Located at Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero LGA. It is about 90km from Ilorin the state capital and accessible by road.
Accommodation: Available in nearby towns of Iloffa.
Time of visiting: All year round
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital.

3. Alfa Alimi was a Fulani Muslim Scholar who came from the north to preach in Ilorin. He built his mosque and residence as far back as 1831. The mosque was the first Juma’s Mosque in Ilorin. Today, the mosque still being used to offer routine prayers, and special prayers occasionally.
Location/Accessibility: It is located behind Emir’s Palace in Ilorin and accessible by road, air and rail.
Accommodation: Available at various rates according to standards and facilities.
Time of visiting: All year round.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available.


4. Sheikah Alimi Mosque (Kuho)
Sheikh Alimi was the progenitor of the Fulani dynasty in what is today known as the Ilorin Emirate (Comprising Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Ilorin West and Moro LGAs of Kwara State). It is believed, he would have made Kuho his permanent base if any of the seven wells which he and his followers dug around the site had produced water. The site of the mosque had since become a great centre for Islamic activities, where people gather for religious tourism.
Location/Accessibility: Located at Kuho near Temidire Village, Asa LGA of Kwara State about 54km from Ilorin.
Accommodation: Available at moderate rates.
Time of visiting: All year round
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital

These so called tourist centres in Naija are not upto world standard

5. Agan Festival
The Agan festival starts with dancing and singing of spiritual songs. Prayers are offered for successful celebration, among other things. It is a colorful celebration.
Location/Accessibility: Obbo-Aiyekunle, Egosi in Ekiti and Oke-Ero Local Governments.
Accommodation: Available at Omu-Aran and Osi.
Time of visiting: In the month of December every year.
Communication: Available on GSM.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available only at the state capital.

6. Adin and Black Soap Industry
The act of local production of soap and pomade is being demonstrated at this site where all the women and children do nothing else than the production of these materials with local technology. Such soap and pomade are believed to be very good, especially for children. The main ingredients used for the production are palm kernel and ashes.
Location/Accessibility: Located at Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero LGA and is accessible by road at about 84km to the state capital.
Accommodation: Accommodation is available at near-by towns of Iloffa, Osi and Omu-Aran.
Time of visiting: All year round
Communication: Available by GSM
Security Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital.




7. Dada Pottery

Dada pottery workshop has a lot to show as one of the traditional occupations of women in Ilorin. It is one of the biggest traditional pottery factories still in existence in the country. Here, cooking pots, flower pots, frying pots and water storage containers are produced, sold on the spot or exported to other parts of the country and abroad.
Location/Accessibility: Located at Dad, Okelele Quarters in Ilorin. It is accessible by road, rail and air.
Accommodation: Available at moderate rates.
Time of visiting: All round the year.
Security: Available
Bureau de change Available.




8. Jebba Tourist Sites
Jebba town houses a lot of historical relics and tourist attractions, some of which tell a lot about European presence in Jebba Town. These include the Mungo Park cenotaph, in memory of Mungo Park and the Lander Brothers, the wreckage of Mungo Park’s Ship while attempting to discover the course of River Niger, the historical cemetery, where some British railway men, who died in Jebba, including the first Chief Justice of the then Northern Protectorate Nigeria, Sir Alastair Davidson, were buried. Other attractions include the Juju Rock, the “Ahoyaya” waterfalls and the Jebba Colony, where the panoramic view of Jebba Township could be enjoyed.



9. Lord Lugard Office/Residence

Lord Lugard began his administrative presence from the coast and gradually moved to Lokoja, Gudu and Kaduna; eventually, established his indirect rule that made Nigeria a British Colony.
Location/Accessibility: Gudu is in Edu Local Government.
Accommodation: Available at Ilorin, Tsaragi and Tsonga.
Time of visiting: All year round
Communication: Available on GSM
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital.



10. Extension of Kanji Lake National Park

Kainji Lake National Park is the first National Park in Nigeria, established by Degree 46 of 1979. Incidentally, part of the park is situated in Kwara State while the other part is situated in Niger State. The park is made of two contiguous sectors, Borgu and Zugur man sectors and Kwara State has more than half of the total area covered by the sector. This park is essentially for educational and tourist purposes.
Location/Accessibility: Located in Kaiama Area of Kwara State and accessible by road.
Accommodation: Accommodation available at Local Government Head Quarters, Kaiama
Time of visiting: Best viewed between December and June
Security Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital.


11. Moremi Festival


This is an important festival also known as Onimoka festival. It features wrestling combat between the traditional ruler of Offa and his second-in-command. It is usually staged to coincide with the eating of the new yam referred to in vernacular as “LA’ARE”. However, the influence of Christian and Islam religions has greatly affected the annual celebration of the festival. Though efforts are on to revived it.
Location/Accessibility: Offa in Offa Local Government.
Accommodation: Available at Offa.
Time of visiting: Between July and August of every year.
Communication: Available on GSM.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available only at the state capital.
Ogunjokoro Iron Mass Park
The Iron Mass known as either “Ogunjokoro” or “Omo Owu” is about the size of a cement block, yet it cannot be lifted by anybody who belittles it, while ordinarily, a young boy or girl could lift up as desired. There is no clear information about when, or why, the mass of iron was brought to the spot. But a lot of mysteries still surround the lifting of the Iron Mass.
Location/Accessibility: Located in Gbodomi, near Jokoro, in Ipaiye district of Moro LGA. It is about 105km from Ilorin and accessible by road.
Time of visiting: All year round
Communication: Available
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital.


12. Ikan Festival


Ikan Festival is a colorful and fascinating festival. The festival marks the initiation of a new group of warriors and the retirement of the older group who had served the community for seven years as warrior to defend the land against external aggression or tribal wars. The immediate junior age-group to this group is known as Odofin-Ikan who takes over from the retiring Ikan group.
Location/Accessibility: Etan and Opin in Ekiti Local Government.
Accommodation: Available.
Time of visiting: Once in every seven years.
Communication: Available on GSM.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available only at the state capital.



13.Ningurume Fish Pond


This mysterious fish pond houses special species of fishes adorned with ear rings and beads, but it is not every time that one could see them, except on special occasions. The villagers offer sacrifices and worship the fishes on “sacred” days with prepared pap and ram. The fishes are not edible and only calabash is used to fetch water from the pond. Any fish that is mistakenly picked must be dropped back immediately. While the villages are free to drink water from the pond, a host of things are forbidden at the pond.
Location/Accessibility: Ningurume village is in Baruten LGA. It is accessible by road.
Accommodation: Available at Kaiama, Ilesha, Okuta and Kosubosu.
Time of visiting: Time is determined by the pond’s caretakers, who are also the Chief Priest.
Security: Available
Bureau de change Available at the state capital.
CommunicationNot available.


14. Esie Museum



This is the first Museum in Nigeria established in 1945. It houses the largest collection of stone images discovered in 1775. There are fascinating stories surrounding the images, one of which is the belief that the images were actually human beings turned to stones through supernatural spells.
Location/Accessibility: Located in Esie, in Irepodun LGA. It is about 53km from Ilorin and accessible by roads.
Accommodation: Available at Esie and Oro at moderate rates.
Time of visiting: All year round
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital.



15. Ero-Omola

This is a voluminous waterfall with attractive topography best viewed in rainy season. It is fascinating during rainy season with cool and refreshing breeze, while the spot offers an awesome vista of fabulous network of rock formation during dry season.
Location/Accessibility: Along Osi, Idofin-Igbana road in Oke-Ero LGA. Accessible by road at about 102km to the state capital.
Accommodation: Available in nearby towns of Ilofa, Osi and Omu-Aran at moderate charges.
Time of visiting: All year round.
Communication: Available on GSM.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available only at the state capital.


16. Epa Festival


It is a colourful festival celebrated by wards in the town in the same year, though in different months. The gods at the wards, heroes and heroines are carried by men who dance about at the village squares. Prayers are offered for good health and bumper harvest, during the celebration.
Location/Accessibility: Ekiti and Oke-Ero Local Governments.
Accommodation: Available at Osi, Iloffa and Omu-Aran.
Time of visiting: Once in every three years.
Communication: Available on GSM.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available only at the state capital.


17. Awon Mass Wedding Festival

It is an occasion during which all marriageable girls of the town are given out in marriage at once. This is the only period in Shao when wedding ceremonies take place.
Location/Accessibility: Shao in Moro Local Government.
Accommodation: Available at Ilorin.
Time of visiting: October of every year.
Communication: Available on GSM.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available only at the state capital.



18. Okuta-Ilorin

The stone called “Okuta-Ilorin” (Stone for sharpening metal) has a clue to how the town “Ilorin” derived her name. It is the stone with which one of the founders of Ilorin known as Ojo Isekuse used to sharpen his metal tools. In the past, the stone was deified and worshipped but nowadays as it is ordinarily preserved and no longer worshipped.
Location/Accessibility: Located at Idi-Ape Quarters in Ilorin. It is accessible by road, rail and air.
Accommodation: Available in varying grades and costs.
Time of visiting: All year round.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available.


19.Olofa Palace

The Palace of Oloffa of Offa, situated very close to Oba’s market is a combination of ancient and modern architectural piece. The Palace remains one of the oldest building in Offa and houses the tombs of past Oloffa who had reigned at various times in Offa. Thus affording historians the opportunity of compiling the historical past of Oloffa ruling houses.
Location/Accessibility: Located in Offa LGA and accessible by road and rail. Offa is 56km from Ilorin.
Accommodation: Available at various rates according to standard and facilities.
Time of visiting: All round the year.
Security: Available
Bureau de change Available at the state capital.


20. Patigi Regatta

It is a festival that features fishing, swimming, competitions, canoe paddling among the Nupes. The festival was initiated in 1953 as a river sports competition. It compares favorably with the Argungu fishing festival in Kebbi State.
Location/Accessibility: Patigi in Patigi Local Government.
Accommodation: Available.
Time of visiting: Between October and April.
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital.
Hide and Skin Tanning Industry
Hide and Skin tanning is an important traditional economic activity of the family of Onitopo, Alawonla of Okelele Area of Kwara State. The act of tanning is believed to be an inherited occupation passed from one generation to another and dates back to ten decades. The site remains an interesting and fascinating place for tourists to visit.
Location/Accessibility: Located in Okelele Area of Ilorin East LGA and accessible by road, rail and air transportation.
Accommodation: Available at different grades and rates.
Time of visiting: All year round
Security Available
Bureau de change: Available


21. Wanzaya Cave at Tsarahi
In Edu Local Government Area, the cave is about 25km long. It bursts out at Apado in Ilorin East Local Government Area. It was formerly a safety heaven for the two communities.
Location/Accessibility: Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area
Accommodation: Available at Tsaragi and Ilorin.
Time of visiting: All year round
Communication: Available on GSM
Security: Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital


22. The Watana Rock


This is a peculiar rock formation that is massive in size yet motorable to the flat top. It is interesting to drive to the top of the rock because of its low gradient. The site stands out uniquely and is a very good site for picnic, camping and mountaineering.
Location/Accessibility: Located in Gwette Village of Baruten LGA and accessible by typical rural road.
Accommodation: Accommodation is available in the near-by border town of Chikanda.
Time of visiting: All year round
Communication: Not available yet
Security Available
Bureau de change: Available at the state capital

23. Traditional weaving centres


A lot of traditional weaving centres abound within the State. The popularly called “Aso Oke” materials are processed locally by indigenes of Ilorin. It remains a very important economic activity among the old and young in the state.
Location/Accessibility: Heart of Ilorin and accessible by road, air and rail.
Accommodation: Available in various grades and rates.
Time of visiting: All round the year.
Security: Available
Bureau de change Available.

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