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Olumo Rock
Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, lies on the Ogun river amid rugged, rocky hills, and has an intriguing array of markets which sell a wide range of exotic goods. Abeokuta means ‘under the rock’, derived from the Olumo Rock the town’s most famous landmark. Olumo Rock, sacred to the Egba people, is on the east side of the Ogun river. Visitors should engage a guide from the tourist center at the bottom of the rock where one can explore the caves used as sanctuary during the Yoruba civil war. At the rock’s summit, visitors can enjoy good views of Abeokuta and the Ogun River.

Ibadan
Ibadan was until recently the largest indigenous African city. Located along the edge of a thickly wooded forest belt, it was called Eba-Odan, meaning ‘a town at the edge of the forest’. Today it’s the capital and main commercial center of Oyo state. Places of interest include Dugbe market, a huge traditional marketplace, the parliament Building, the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premiere university, its Teaching Hospital and Cocoa House. Ibadan is also close to the historic towns of Oyo, Ogbomosh, Ijebu-Ode, Ife, Ilesha, and Oshogbo.

Ile-Ife
The ancient city of Ile-Ife, in Osun state is truly unique. The Yorubas consider it to be the cradle of creation of civilization. Legend says that it was at Ife that Oduduwa, sent by Olodumare, the Yoruba creator-god, established the first land upon the waters that covered the earth, thus founding life. His sons spread to other parts of Yoruba to create further kingdoms. Ile-Ife became a remarkable center for arts, producing both terracotta figures and bronzes dating from the 12th to 15th centuries, second only in fame to the Benin bronze.

Ondo region
Ondo area has many fascinating tourist attractions including the Ikogosi Warm Spring, Indare Hills, Iplo-Iloro waterfalls, Ebomi Lake and the museum at Owo. The most popular are the Ikogosi Warm Spring and the Indare Hills. The Ikogosu Warm spring is located in a valley in Ikogosi Town, northeast of Akur.

Anambra region
Anambra offers many exciting attractions throughout the area, including the Ognunike caves, Agulu Lake, Igbo-Ukwu archeological excavations and the Aguleri Game Reserve. Onitsha, located on the Eastern bank of the river Niger, is famous for its robust market and commercial activity. The traditional Ofala festival, performed by royalty in Anambra, are rare pageants of color and fanfare.

Bida
Bida is a lively town, famous for its handicrafts and colorful market, and is the principal city of the Nupe people. Bida is famous for its glass beads, cloths, silver and brass work, it's carved 8-legged stools made from a single piece of wood, and decorative pottery. Bida's market truly stands out as a traditional showcase of local commerce in Nigeria.

Gurara Falls
Gurara Falls is on the Gurara River in Niger State, on the road between Suleja and Minna. Particularly impressive during the rainy season, the falls span 200 meters across with a sheer drop of 30 meters.

Owu Falls: Owu Falls, in Kwara State is the highest and most spectacular natural waterfall in West Africa, at its best during the rainy season. The waterfall cascades 330 feet down an escarpment with rocky outcrops to a pool of ice-cold water below.

Fishing
Koton-Karifi is located west of Okene and about 20 miles north of the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue. Koton-Karifi is a paradise for fishing, since the Niger tributaries are teeming with fish.

Jos
Jos has always been a popular destination for tourists due to its height above sea level (4062 feet). Jos has two golf courses, Rayfield and Plateau, plus a polo club and other sports/entertainment offerings. The National Museum in Jos is one of the best in Nigeria, especially for archaeology and pottery, where many fine examples of Nok heads and artifacts, circa 500 BC- 200 AD, are displayed. The Pottery Hall has an exceptional collection of finely crafted pottery from allover the country. On the same grounds, the Museum of Architecture contains life-size replicas of Nigerian architecture, from the walls of Kano to the Mosque at Zaria to a Tiv village.

Other attractions in the area include the wildlife park, nestled amid 8 sq. km of unspoiled savanna bush. The Shere Hills can be seen to the east of Jos and offer a prime view of the city below. Assop Falls is a small waterfall. Riyom Rock is a dramatic and photogenic pile of rocks balanced precariously on top of one another, observable from the main Jos-Gimi road. Kura Falls is a refreshing area for walking.

Bulatura Oases
The Bulatura Oases are on the western side of Borno State northeast of Nguru. The severe beauty of this desert landscape is a great experience. The oases are also excellent for bird-watchers; in the dry season there are thousands of palaearctic migrants which congregate there.

Mandara Mountains
The Gwoza Hills are breathtaking. They are located southeast of Maiduguri, and southeast of the village of Gwoza Valley, along the Cameroon border.

Mandara Mountains are also in this area, stretching from south, in the Mambilla, to Mubi in the north.The Mandaras provide some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Africa.

Katsina
Katsina, the northernmost city in Nigeria, sits on the edge of Sahel and borders the neighboring country of Niger, which has traded with her for centuries. Katsina, one of the old walled Hausa cities, is the capital of Katsina State. The Goborau Minaret, a most picturesque tourist attraction, is the tallest mud-brick building in Nigeria and is 250 years old.

Birnin Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi, a centuries old Hausa-Fulani walled city is the capital of Kebbi State. The area is famous for traditional arts and crafts, beads, swords and glassware, and is the site of the Argungu Fishing Festival, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nigeria. Held annually, it attracts competitors from neighboring Niger and Chad Republics, plus many visitors from all over the world.

Sokoto
Sokoto, the center of Islamic activities in Nigeria, is the home of the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Muslims in the country. It is famed for its excellent leatherwork: handbags, wallets, fans and other items featuring exquiste crafting. The Sultan's Palace has lavish architecture and guards in their multicolored regalia.

QUICK INFO

Full Name: Federal Republic of Nigeria

Area: 924,000 sq km (360,360 sq mi)

Population: 125 million

Capital: Abuja

People: 250 different ethnic groups, including: Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Ibo, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv, Ijaw

Language: English and French. The main African languages are Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Edo, Efik

Religion: Muslim (50%), Christian: mostly Roman Catholic (40%), animist (10%)

Government: Parliamentary democracy

President: Olusegun Obasanjo

GDP: US$143.5 billion

GDP per head: US$1380

Annual Growth: 1.6%

Inflation: 14%

Major Industries: Crude oil, natural gas, coal, palm oil, peanuts, cotton