The city of Ibadan is the largest indigenous city in West Africa with a population of over 6 million people within it’s metropolitan area and the second fastest growing city on the African continent, The historical city also dubbed as “The city of brown roofs” is the capital of Oyo State located in South-Western Nigeria.
Ibadan is rich in culture and economics though a busy city it’s home to numerous architecture, entertainment and recreation centers (including bars, lounges and relaxation centers) which attracts tourists and various people from around the globe. If you’re a tourist visiting Ibadan or you just love travelling to learn about new places, here’s a list of places you should definitely check out.
In no particular order, here are the top seven tourist attractions in Ibadan (and why you should visit them) :
Bower’s Tower (A breathtaking monument)
Bower’s Tower is an historic monument built to honour Captain Robert Lister Bower in 1936, he was the first British resident in Ibadan and was appointed by the British government to administer the city of Ibadan and put an end to the wars happening in the Yoruba kingdom between 1893 and 1897.
Built by engineer Taffy Jones, the tower which is sixty feet high is located on Oke-Are hill, one of the seven hills surrounding the city of Ibadan. Bower’s Tower has 47 spiral staircase that leads to the top of the tower, where you can see almost every part of the beautiful city; which includes the:
- University College Hospital (UCH)
- University of Ibadan
- Polytechnic of Ibadan
- Adamasingba stadium
- Lagos/Ibadan toll gate
- Ife/Ilesha road.
Your journey to Ibadan is incomplete if you’ve not taken a trip to “Layipo” as Bower’s Tower is fondly called by indigenes, it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and avoid heels and slippery footwear when visiting the tower as it involves lots of climbing.
Adebisi’s Mansion (A Historical Architecture/Heritage)
Sanusi Adebisi fondly called “Adebisi Idikan” was an Ofi weaver and cocoa trader who was born in 1882, he’s described as Ibadan first notable entrepreneur and philanthropist, a well deserved recognition which he got after paying the taxes of every male adult in Ibadan at a time when taxes were enforced, most people found it difficult to pay and ended up in detention.
Adebisi’s Mansion was built in 1929 in Idikan area of Ibadan and still stands till today, the architectural wonder has a beautiful layout of 99 rooms 34 pillars and a hall known as the “Ogboja Hall” which was used as a court room during Adebisi’s lifetime, there’s a private masoleum also where Adebisi is buried, some of his close family members and 3 of his horses are also buried there.
There’s a saying in Ibadan “Anyone who plans to build a house like that of Adebisi, will never build one in his lifetime”, if you’re planning to visit Adebisi’s mansion, driving down might be a bit stressful as the area is a full market place, however you can find the location on Google maps.
Mapo Hall (A colonial style city hall)
Mapo Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Nigeria and is Ibadan official town hall, the hall was commissioned in 1929 by Captain Ross and was constructed by Engineer Taffy Jones (Same man that built Bower’s Tower).
The hall is located on Mapo hill one of the oldest sites in Ibadan. The Neoclassical architecture of the hall, is a constant reminder of early British influence in the administration of Ibadan as part of the Oyo Province. The hall serves as an important landmark that could be seen from most part of the city, especially from the other six hills between which the city spreads out.
It was renovated in 2006 and the renovated hall was commissioned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on 6 September 2007.
Mapo hall has played host to major political and social events in the city, which has shaped the socio-political direction of Nigeria in general.
- The Sixth Annual Convention of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons was held here on 5 May 1955 and it was here that Nnamdi Azikiwe delivered his presidential address.
- In May 1967, the Western Leaders of Thought also met here and it was here that Chief Obafemi Awolowo voiced his thoughts on the ongoing Civil War in Nigeria.
The hall also has a mini-museum where the relics of the chains used to hold tax evaders in the colonial era, are hung. There are also pictures of all Olubadan (King) that have reigned in Ibadan.
A tour round Ibadan is definitely incomplete without a visit to this historical landmark, so when next you’re in Ibadan feel free to check out Mapo Hall.
University of Ibadan Zoological Garden (Interact with wildlife)
The University of Ibadan Zoo was established in 1948 originally as a menagerie to support research in the department of Zoology it became a full fledged zoo in 1974, and home to a large number of animals of different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
The Zoological Garden is a modern zoo which displays wild animals primarily for the conservation of endangered species, as well as for research purposes and education, and also for the entertainment of visitors. It welcomes a large number of visitors/tourists every year especially during the festive period.
The zoo boasts of one of the highest collection of wild animals and exotic birds ranging from Lions, Giraffes, Baboons to Hyenas, Crocodiles and Ostriches…
If you’re a lover of nature/ animals University of Ibadan Zoological Garden is the place to be, you can make a trip to the University of Ibadan to visit the zoo.
National museum of Unity (A collection of cultural artifacts)
The Ibadan National Museum of Unity is an ethnographic museum dedicated to preserve the cultural artifacts and antiques of the different ethnic groups of Nigeria, originally proposed in 1973, the museum was inaugurated in 2002 under the supervision of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
The Museum is located in Alesinloye area of Ibadan and has collections from different galleries. The masquerade gallery features exhibits about Egunguns, Mmaawun, Ekpo, Egwu Atta, Dodo and Ekpe, as well as information about the spirituality of the Yoruba, Igbo, Efik, Ibibio and Ebira cultures in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
The museum also has collections on musical instruments such as drums, as well as royalties, effigies and masks from different parts of Nigeria. It also has an exhibit on pottery that includes bowl-shaped pots called Kula that are used for preparing food.
Other interesting artifacts to look for in the museum include:
- Gallery of Unity
- Sculpture of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa and Ladoke Akintola
- Traditional textiles such as Aso-Oke
- The car of the Premier of the Western Region, Ladoke Akintola.
Though there are a lot of ethnic groups in Nigeria, a visit to the National Museum of Unity Ibadan, will prove to be an interesting and educative one.
Tunde Odunlade Arts Gallery (A beautiful compendium of arts)
Tunde Odunlade Arts Gallery is a hub for creative minds and art lovers, the privately owned art gallery is an establishment of Nigerian batik artist, actor and musician Tunde Odunlade, who specializes in textile arts and floatography.
The art gallery opened in 2020 and located in Aare avenue Bodija, is a beauty to behold with artifacts from works such as sculpture, beadwork, metal works, wood work, fabrics and painting.
Opening hours is from 10am to 7pm every day and entry is totally free.
Below is a view of the beautiful art gallery:
Agodi gardens (Take a swim or go for a picnic)
Agodi gardens is a botanical garden and recreational center which sits on 150 acres of land, the garden was created in 1967 and is a world-class relaxation center for adults and children, it welcomes a large number of tourists and visitors from across the globe yearly.
The garden is very serene, lush and green, and is a perfect haven for those who crave the quietness of solitude, a perfect place for picnics with friends and family, it is also a first choice recreational facility for nature enthusiasts.
Agodi gardens offers attractions such as:
- Lake
- Water park
- Mini zoo
- Horse riding
- Paintball
- Boat ride
- Picnic gardens
And other side attractions.
Agodi gardens is a favourite spot for fun lovers and visitors looking to unwind. There is no perfect time to visit the garden and it opens from Monday to Sunday, tickets are sold at the gate for entry.
So there you have it, a list of tourists attractions in the city of Ibadan, be sure to enjoy your stay and visit any of this places when next you come visiting Ibadan.
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