PLACES TO VISIT IN IBADAN
Ibadan is located in the South-Western part of Nigeria, it’s the capital city of Oyo State is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country by population and the largest city by landmass. This ancient city was the center of administration of the old Western Region since the days of the British colonial rule. Home to about 3.5 million people, the city of Ibadan has a strong combination of tradition and sophistication, which makes it a nexus of culture and travel. Home to the first television station in Africa, Nigeria’s first University, and Nigeria’s first skyscraper, Ibadan is a unique city, and has many interesting places. I have taken time to list out places you must not miss when you visit Ibadan and i assure you it will be worth your time.
AGODI GARDENS
This picturesque place occupies over 13 acres o land and is a popular destination for recreational, adventure, and eventful activities. It has a botanical garden, with explicitly beautiful plants and flowers, a mini zoo, a water park, a swimming pool, and a forest walkway. This recreational center also features a lake where one can go boat cruising. Located on Parliament road, Agodi gardens attract a lot of tourists and families who go there to spend quality time.
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN ZOO
Known as the best Zoo in Nigeria, The renowned Ibadan zoological garden was established in 1948 as a menagerie to support the conservation of wildlife and research as well as support teaching and research in the Zoology department where it is located. It became a full-fledged zoo in 1974 and welcomes a large number of visitors yearly. There are a variety of animals ranging from various species of birds and reptiles to several endangered mammalian species. The Zoo is open all week between 8 am to 6:30 pm.
NATIONAL MUSEUM IBADAN
One can’t visit the ancient city of Ibadan and not visit the national museum. Home to several priceless historical relics and artifacts that celebrate the rich historical culture of the Nigerian people, it contains four galleries, including the Unity gallery, the Yoruba gallery, the Masquerade gallery, and the pottery gallery. The masquerade gallery features several masquerades collected from several ethnic groups in the country. Musical tools used by the masquerades are also among the artifacts seen in the museum. The pottery gallery displays a unique collection of ceramic vessels that served different purposes and are dated over 3,000 years ago. The Yoruba gallery displays the rich culture of the Yoruba people. There are tour guides readily available to explain the significance of various elements in the museum.
COCOA HOUSE
The cocoa house is a 26 –storey building constructed in the year 1965 by the late Obafemi Awolowo. It was once considered to be the tallest building in tropical Africa and was the first skyscraper ever to be built in Nigeria. It was built using the proceeds of cocoa trade and is owned by the Odu’a Investment Company. The house, which was gutted by fire at a point and later renovated, was known as the farmers’ house.
BOWER’S MEMORIAL TOWER
Built-in the honor of Captain Robert Lister Bower, who was appointed by the British Government to administer Ibadan city, 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 tower is located on the hilltop of Oke Are in the Igbo Agala area of Ibadan and is the highest hilltop in the city, having about 47 spiral staircases. Not only an ancient site, but it also offers a panoramic view of the whole city.
IBADAN CITY MALL
The city mall houses host a lot of stores and a food court where one can shop comfortably and enjoy a good time with friends. It is also a viable place for making new friends and creating great contacts.
MAPO HALL
The famous Mapo hall is a large Ibadan City Hall built in Colonial Architectural fashion. The hall, which took four years to build, was constructed for administrative use during the colonial era. The Mapo hall is well known for its seven columns, which represent the seven hills on which the city of Ibadan is built. Modeled after Saint George’s Hall in Liverpool, the Mapo hall serves as an important landmark that can be seen from anywhere around the city. Mapo hall consists of a mini-museum that holds several colonial relics and pictures of the city’s rulers.
Other great places to visit include the IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) forest Reserve, Irefin Palace, Old Oyo National park, Ado Awaye Mountains, and suspended lakes, which houses one of the two suspended lakes in the world.
Indeed, the city of brown roofs, as it is fondly called, does not lack a range of exciting places and activities to indulge in. Do well to visit Ibadan.
