10 Most Loved Nigerian Cities – Where You would love to Visit

Are you on a tour, business trip, or visit, or do you have an event in Nigeria? Your visit to Nigeria can never be complete without visiting some Nigerian cities.

Nigeria, as the most populous country in West Africa, homes several beautiful cities, and yearly, people visit these cities massively.

The rich culture of a typical Nigerian group is enough to fascinate you; then if you add the welcoming Nigerian cities and her accommodating citizens, you will know Nigeria is truly a place to be in fact it is home to all.

Nigerian cities are rich in cultural heritage, tourist attractions, natural resources, hotels, and beautiful scenery. The hospitality level in Nigerian cities is second to none.

Even the lifestyles in the major Nigerian cities are an experience on their own. I know people who come to Nigeria and don’t get to experience the typical Lagos bustle and traffic, yet they want to come back to have a feel of that. Funny, isn’t it?

Have you been longing to visit some Nigerian cities and you don’t know which one to visit? Worry less as we give you a detailed list of the 10 most loved Nigerian cities.

10 Nigerian Cities You Will Love to Visit

After going around, moving from one city to the other checking out tourist attractions, and different cultures, and researching natural resources, we made our list of 10 most loved Nigerian cities.

The following Nigerian cities are the most loved cities in “The Giant of Africa.”

1) Lagos

You came to Nigeria, but you didn’t get to the former capital of the country, trust me, your visit is not complete. Lagos is the most populated city in the whole of Nigeria. In fact, it is the hub of business in the country with lots of industries.

Lagos is in Southwestern Nigeria, and it is in two major parts, the island as well as the mainland. The two are set apart by bodies of water that dominate the city. The city is referred to as no man’s land because it’s home to diverse people from different parts of the country making Yoruba and pidgin the major languages to survive within Lagos.

Lagos is the second-fastest growing in Africa economically as well as the seventh in the world. Each corner of the city homes local or international markets.  Aside from coming to Lagos for business, you can also visit for pleasure. The city has restaurants, bars, malls, clubs, and lounges on virtually every street. The exotic beaches and resorts are also not left out.

The tall buildings and skyscrapers, as well as the coastline, give the city a beautiful look, especially during the night. The city is a beauty to behold. Lagos is truly the center of excellence.

2) Ibadan

The ancient city of Ibadan is an ancestral city, and it was the largest city in Africa. Ibadan is in Southwestern Nigeria and the capital of Oyo State.

The city has a good number of Yoruba people which makes Yoruba the language to speak within the city when you are out of the corporate part of the city. The old city is rich in culture and tradition.

Ibadan is home to many firsts. The Premier University, the University of Ibadan, the first teaching hospital in Africa ( University College Hospital) as well and the first skyscraper in Nigeria (Cocoa House) are all in Ibadan. The city was the center of the Old Western region during the British rule.

Ibadan has parks and gardens as well as historical monuments like the Mapo colonial city hall, Bower’s hall, and Olubadan Palace among other places. Try and say hello to UI Zoological Garden, IITA forest reserve, and the National Museum of Unity.

The city is accessible to people coming from different parts of the country through good road networks, trains as well as air, Ibadan has a functioning airport.

For the sake of entertainment, you cannot get bored in Ibadan as the city is loaded with relaxation centers, restaurants, clubs, bars, malls, and lounges. Also, commercial activities are bustling in Ibadan because the city hosts some companies, industries, and banks as well as local and international markets.

After visiting all these places, your visit is not complete until you visit the popular food joint called “Amala Skye”.

3) Calabar

Checking out the city of Calabar is not a bad idea. Calabar is a city in Cross River State which is in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. It is referred to as “the Canaan Land”.

The city is known for its rich culture, sweet delicacies, lovely architectural designs, serene and conducive environment as well as tourist attractions.

The annual street party invites thousands of people to the state and the colorful carnival takes place at the end of the year. It was never a boring moment in Calabar during this period.

Calabar houses places of relaxation, parks, gardens, restaurants, clubs, eateries, and other places of comfort. The famous Tinapa Resort, the International Museum as well as the live music scene.

If you come to Nigeria, endeavor to step your feet in the city of Calabar as the experience you will have is a lifetime one.

4) Kaduna

The lovely city of Kaduna is the most beautiful city in Northern Nigeria and it is the capital of Kaduna State. The city was the center of administration in the north during the British Colonial administration.

The city is great for cultural immersion, business, and tourism. Kaduna hosts major places like Kamuku National Park, Kajuru Castle, Gamji Park, the fifth chukker polo resort, and Kaduna National Museum.

Kaduna City comprises both Muslims and Christians. The city is full of relaxation centers, hotels, bars, inns, and lounges among other places to spend your leisure.

Kaduna can easily be accessed through Kaduna airport as well as the good roads in the city.

5) Abuja

Abuja houses the political power of the country. The Federal Capital Territory is a beautiful place with breathtaking landscapes, top-of-the-world facilities, and a serene as well as conducive environment.

The city hosts the presidential house, the Aso Rock villa, the national assembly, and the national mosques among other powerhouses of the nation. It is full of embassies, ministries, and other government parastatals.

Abuja boasts beautiful and luxurious places like Millenium Park, Maitama Amusement Park, Magic Land, and many more. The city also houses five-star hotels that will dazzle you with their facilities as well as shopping malls.

The city is home to people from different parts of the country and it is a commercial city. The famous Zuma Rock stands gallantly at the entrance of Abuja while Aso Rock sits prettily in the centre of the city with the presidential Villa.

With all these, you will think the city is for the rich alone but it has the blend of both the rich and the poor but Abuja is a very organized city. Abuja is a city you will surely love and it hosts thousands of people yearly.

6) Port Harcourt

PH City as popularly called is the seat of oil in Nigeria. Port Harcourt is the third most developed city in Nigeria and it is one of the most vibrant cities in the country.

The city is the capital of Rivers State and it is situated on a beautiful landscape, a calm and conducive environment. Port Harcourt was the port city where the British used to export coal and later used to export crude oil which was discovered in 1958.

The presence of crude oil makes the city a hub for multinational companies, hotels, and numerous recreational centers. This makes Port Harcourt a business and leisure city.

The presence of the artificial beach along Kolabi Creek makes the city a must go. The tourist beach has bars, pubs, lodge and other places to spend your time.

If you are coming to Port Harcourt from other states you can get through using the Port Harcourt airport. There are good roads in the city for easy networking.

So if you want to check out the oil-producing states in Nigeria and you still want to enjoy your visit in a relaxed environment then PH City is the perfect place for you.

7) Kano

Kano is the largest city in the north and it happens to be the capital of Kano State. It is a beautiful ancient city housing mostly Hausas and Fulanis. It is in the north-west.

Kano is the commercial center in the north as it is home to different markets patronized by people from within and outside Nigeria. Kano portrays the Hausa beautiful culture.

The Durban festival which takes place twice a year brings in thousands of people from far and wide. The city is the pride of the Hausa people and the great wall of Kano stands gallantly in the city.

The city has a number of historical monuments and places to visit when in Kano, including Audu Bako Zoo, Bagauda Lake/Tiga Lake Resort Man-made, Gidan Makama Museum, Kofar Mata Dyeing Pit, and Tourist Camp among other places.

Also in the city is the Palace of the Emir of Kano and the great Kano mosque. Kano City features relaxation centres, restaurants, eateries, bars, and other places to spend your leisure time.

8) Warri

Warri is one of the largest cities in Delta State. It is in the lower Niger Delta coastline. warri is the most popular city in Delta State as it has produced a good number of Nigerian celebrities.

History has it that Warri was very rich in oil and steel mining. The cultural event and the historical background of Warri crown it all.

Warri like every other oil-producing city is a business and leisure place. you can run your business during the day and enjoy the cool and luxurious life at night.

The city attracts a good number of tourists yearly due to the presence of the business and leisure lifestyle. Warri hosts places like Warri City Stadium, Abraka Golf Course, Effurun Garden Park, Delta Ports, Nana Living History Museum, Main Warri Market, Red Mangrove Swamp, Udu Bridge, as well as the Ovie Palace.

9) Benin

Benin City is one of the most loved cities in Nigeria. The city is rich in culture and has a strong historical background in civilisation which makes people troop into the city yearly.

The city is one of the most popular as well as beautiful cities in Nigeria with a good road network, beautiful architectural designs, and a lovely landscape.

Benin hosts one of Africa’s oldest empire, the Benin Empire, the famous Palace of the Oba of Benin, the famous King’s Square, the Ogiamen House, Benin Moat, Igun Street, Benin City National Museum, Emotan Statue, and Ughotan Village.

Also in the city are the Okomu National Park, Gele Gele Seaport, Egedege N’Okaro, and  Oba Akenzua Cultural Center. The city bustles at night with clubs, lounges, bars, and other relaxation centers with people trooping in and out.

10) Enugu

Enugu is also known as the coal city. The city is in the South-eastern part of Nigeria. It is full of life both in the day and at night.

Enugu is the oldest urban region in the southeast and the people of the city are into agriculture as well as mining. The city boasts of tourism which invites people yearly into the country. Places like Nike Holiday Resort, the famous Nmanwu Cultural Festival and Iva Valley (coal mine).

The city is one of the places you will visit and you won’t want to leave. The hospitality is topnotch and the hotels are for all budget. The city is dominated by Christians.

Conclusion

Nigeria as a whole is a loved country where thousands of people troop in yearly. People from different countries and continents come to Nigeria for business, tourism, tours, vacations, and many other things.

There is no city you will visit in Nigeria that you won’t enjoy. Nigerian cities are full of life both during the day and night with relaxation centers, commercial centers, hospitals, and every other thing you need during your visit.

So if you have been thinking of which Nigerian cities to visit, those are the most loved cities, in fact, you can always visit any Nigerian city.