There are many spectacular things to do and see in Nigeria. From visiting some of the top attractions in Lagos to exploring the traditional towns and villages in some parts of the country, there is definitely something for everyone.
As a Nigerian, you probably would have done everything the country offers when it comes to exciting activities and places to explore. However, we can bet with you that there are some things in this beautiful country of ours that you have always wanted to do but never got around to doing them or things you just have never done or even heard of.
Here are some of the things you didn’t know you could do in Nigeria:
Scuba diving
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Take the dive and register for scuba classes in Lagos. If you have ever dreamed of going scuba diving, it can be a reality. ScubaLagos, the first authorized PADI Dive Resort in Nigeria, offers diving excursions in Lagos Nigeria. You’ll find a wide range of adventurous dive sites with stunning marine life, just a few miles offshore from the city.
Take a canopy walk
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Run by the Nigerian Conservation Society, Lekki Conservation Center offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the magnificence of the green forest in Lekki, Lagos. Surrounded by lush greenery, you can enjoy a canopy walk while keeping your eyes peeled for stunning wildlife species. The LCC canopy walk is considered the longest in Africa. Afi Sanctuary in Calabar is home to Afi Mountain Canopy Walkway, a rainforest canopy walk open to the public for a beautiful healthy hike.
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Go jet skiing
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Lagos is home to some of the best water sports experiences in Nigeria. With a wide range of scenic beaches, adventure enthusiasts can enjoy a fun day jet skiing across the water. There are several water sports provider in Lagos including Lagos Jet Ski Riders Club, Tarzan Marine and Optimel Watersports. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, these companies will provide you with the latest coaching techniques to ensure an amazing time on the water.
Paintballing outdoors
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There is nothing quite like paintballing with your friends – it is quite an interesting battle. It’s a fun activity where participants form teams and shoot paint at each other from a gun made for the game. If you’re tired of those video games and you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, you should go for paintballing with your friends and fight for your team. There are several paintballing centres in Lagos such as Ultimate Arena, Bullseye Paintball Arena and Empire Sports Paintball.
Go-karting on tracks
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If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience, you should try Go-karting in Lagos with your friends or children. The Get Arena in Lagos is famous for its go-karting facility. You can get to ride up to 10 laps on a go-kart. There are several other establishments across the country that provides this fun service.
RELATED: 6 Unusual Things to Do in Lagos | Explore Lagos Like A Local
See exhibits of the slave trade
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Quite a number of places in Nigeria pay homage to the history of the slave trade. Two of them are the Badagry Slave Museum and Slave History Museum Calabar. The Calabar museum sits on the site of a 15th-century slave-trading warehouse, and it features amazing exhibits such as paraphernalia of the trade including shackles, chains and the variety of currencies used to buy people.
Visit a historical groove
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The Osun Osogbo Groove created in the honor of the goddess of fertility and Oduduwa Shrine & Groove are two grooves to visit in Nigeria. Oduduwa was the first Ooni (King of Ile-Ife), an old town considered to be the origin of the Yoruba. The grooves are a great historical and educational site to visit in Osogbo.
Attend a fishing festival
Around mid-February, the spectacular three-day festival in Argungu is held in Nigeria. Although it is currently on hold due to politics issues. However, it’s one of the most exciting fishing festival to attend in the country.
See a suspended lake
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The Ado Awaye Lake located in Oyo is one of the suspended lakes in the world and open to the public to visit. It’s been said that there are ONLY two suspended lake in the world and this mysterious lake is one of them. It is located about 20km West of Iseyin in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. You can read more about this lake here.
RELATED: 10 Best Things to do in Lekki, Lagos
Go mountain climbing
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Nigeria has quite a number of landscapes such as hills and mountains in states across the country which is excellent for mountain climbing and hiking. From Idanre Hills to Olumo Rock, you’ll find a wide range of mountain walks in and around Nigeria.
See war time hideouts
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The Olumo Rock in Abeokuta used to serve as a hideout for Abeokuta people during the Egba war. It also affords an amazing view of the city. There is a historic hideout under a rock used by people fleeing tribal wars and slave hunters.
Experience the Yoruba history
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Ile Ife is regarded as the bedrock of Yoruba people, and it’s rich in culture and tradition. The Ooni’s Palace is definitely a place to visit if you want to learn about the history of the town and the Yoruba people. There’s a festival every single day of the year here except a day determined annually by the king.
Learn about brass copper ornaments
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Visit Igun street, the home of Brass Casters in Benin City to learn more about brass copper ornaments. Sculptors reviving the ‘lost-wax’ sculpture technique can show you their works in progress and sell you one to take home. They vary from small ornaments to huge figurative statues.
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Go shopping for fetishes
Nigerians are largely religious people and fetishes feature in the traditions. There is a fetish market located in Jankara Market Lagos where you can buy herbs, traditional medicines, juju potions and powders.
Learn how to tie and dye
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Tie and Dye is a process of clothes print creation. Originating in the South West, you can learn about the process by visiting the dye pits. Modern art establishments like The Nike Gallery not only allow you to buy artworks but you can take part in craft workshops, creating tie-dye fabric for example.
See a floating village
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Discover the floating village of Makoko in Lagos. The rustic fishing village which compares to Venice lives primarily on stilt houses on water and is a short drive from the city.
Go kayaking
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Kayaking is no new water activity in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, and it’s watery playground is perfect for this watersport. If you are looking for an exciting thing to do, you’ll find several kayaking spots to paddle on the water.
RELATED: 10 Actually Cool Things You Can Do in Abuja
See ancient Monoliths
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There are 300 carved stones standing upright in circles in Ikom Cross River, facing each other in groups with images and texts inscribed on the Monoliths.
See footprints of a giant
There are footprints of the prehistoric giant embedded permanently on flat granite rocks in Edo State. They are supernatural footprint for all legs, no matter the size of your foot, the footprint will definitely fit your size.
See an airplane shaped house
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Liza Said, a Lebanese immigrant living in Nigeria has a house shaped as a plane built after her love for travelling by her husband who she married in the 1980s. Rising above the city, the massive house was constructed in 2002, and it’s located in Asokoro, Abuja. The house also features a variety of airplane features including an aircraft control tower look-alike.
Ride a giant water slide
There are water parks across the country where visitors can ride water slides. Some are family friendly and can be a great option for a family day out. You can take your family for a fun weekend to Splash World Park in Ikogosi-Ekiti or Funtopia Water Park in Lekki.
Ever been to any of these places or tried any of the activities? Share your experience with us in the comment below:
