Culture

Olumo Rock, Idanre Hills, 10 other affordable tourist destinations in Southwest Nigeria

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2024

Olumo Rock, Idanre Hills, 10 other affordable tourist destinations in Southwest Nigeria

Whether you’re a tourist or a resident simply looking to explore nature and see some sights, these 12 tourist destinations will catch your fancy.

These 12 tourist destinations are must-visit for you in southwestern Nigeria 12 tourist destinations you should visit in the southwest of Nigeria

Tourists often look for places to explore mainly for recreational and educational purposes in Nigeria
TheRadar compiled a list of 10 affordable tourist centres in Southwest Nigeria

These places include the Olumirin Waterfalls, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Lekki Conservation Centre.

Tourism is one of the best ways to unwind with friends and families during vacations or leisure time and also for educational purposes. Southwest Nigeria comprises six states, namely: Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Ogun.

These states have very beautiful places to visit and explore in one’s lifetime. TheRadar compiled a list of interesting places to visit in Southwest Nigeria, while giving a succinct detail of each of the tourist centres.

Whether you’re a tourist, foreigner, or resident simply looking to explore nature and see some sights, here are 12 affordable tourist destinations that will catch your fancy.

12 affordable tourist destinations in Southwest Nigeria

1. Lekki Conservation Centre (Lagos State)

It is popularly known as LCC, which is situated at Lekki Peninsula. LCC provides a first-hand experience of enjoying nature and urban life.

The environment is calm, cool and serene, with access to the LCC’s expansive area upon payment of an entry fee which includes: birding platforms, photography, environmental education, recreational facilities, walking trails, etc. To get the latest information about the price range, check LCC’s official Instagram page.

Lekki Conservation Centre is usually open every day but 8:30am to 5:00pm on weekdays and 8:30am to 6:00pm on weekends and public holidays.

2. Olumo Rock (Ogun State)

Olumo Rock is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State with a height of 137 metres above sea level. It officially became a tourist attraction in 1976 and was commissioned by erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo on 3rd February, 2006. It was first discovered by Adagba, a hunter who used the rock as a shield during the 19th century inter-tribal war.

The name “Olumo” was coined from two key words: “Olu” (God) and “Mo” (Moulded), which is fully translated as; “God has ended our troubles and sufferings.” is

This tourist attraction has been upgraded to accommodate an elevator for those who do not want to climb the stairs between the rocks to get to the summit.

Olumo Rock has interesting places like a museum, a tie-and-dye market, a water fountain, and an eatery.

3. Oòni of Ife Palace (Osun State)

Ife is remarkably referred to as the cradle of Yoruba land. The Oòni of Ife Palace is located at Ile-Ife, Osun State.

It has various cultural and historical objects to portray the Yoruba heritage, which makes it a tourist destination in Southwest Nigeria.

The palace serves as an abode for the monarch that governs Ile-Ife town.

4. Badagry Heritage Museum (Badagry, Lagos State)

This tourist attraction is located in Badagry and the Museum is located in the District officer’s office that was built in 1863 by the colonial masters.

The museum has different displays of cultural heritage, art, inventions, and sculptures.

5. Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (Osun State)

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is quite old. It was recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural (UNESCO) in 2005 for its global cultural value.

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is located in Osogbo and provides an opportunity for Tourists to appreciate and learn from the Yoruba culture and heritage.

The grove was promoted by the Ataoja of Osogbo and some concerned people who formed the Sacred Art Movement and established the Grove as: “The Sacred Heart of Osogbo”.

6. Nike Art Gallery (Lagos State)

This centre is a good one for art lovers. It is located in Lekki, Lagos State. It has a four-storey building which comprises: an art gallery, coffee shop and textile museum.

There are different activities in Nike Art Gallery such as: art exhibitions, art workshops, and cultural days. They have branches in Osogbo, Ogidi and Anuja.

The gallery is open everyday of the week and gives exposure to African crafts such as: beadwork, adire, batik, painting and carving.

7. Ikogosi Warm Springs (Ekiti State)

This tourist centre is located at Ikogosi, Ekiti State. Another cold spring meets the warm spring at a confluence; nevertheless, each maintains its temperature.

Research shows that the warm spring has a temperature of 70°C and 37°C at the confluence.

The meeting point of the warm and cold spring remains a unique attraction to Tourists.

8. Idanre Hill (Ondo State)

Idanre Hill is located at Idanre Town in Ondo State. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Southwest Nigeria. It is also called “Oke Idanre”.

It has various beautiful places such as: shrines, old court, Owa’s palace, thunder water (Omi apaara), Belfry, Aboogun’s footprint, Orosun hill, Arun river, and burial grounds.

Idanre Hill measures 3,000 ft above sea level. As a result of its beautiful landscapes, it was added to the Cultural category of UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 8, 2007.

9. Agodi Gardens (Oyo State)

This serene tourist centre is located at the centre of Ibadan precisely The Secretariat Road, Mokola Hill. It is also called Agodi Botanical Gardens.

It has different places such as: swimming pool, zoo, water park, play areas for children and picnic spots. To get more information about the place, check the official Instagram account @agodigardensib.

10. Olumirin Waterfalls (Erin Ijesha, Osun State)

The renowned natural site is located in Erin-Ijesha, Osun State. Some sources had it that the tourist attraction was discovered by hunters in 1140 AD while other sources believed that by a woman named Akinla, the founder of Erin-Ijesha town and granddaughter of Oduduwa.

Akinla named the place Olumirin which means: “Olumirin-another god”.

The mountains housing the waterfall have seven levels, and an Abake village is located at the topmost level.

The waterfall is regarded as a sacred place by the natives and it is one of the popular tourist attractions in Nigeria.

11. Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (Ogun State)

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is owned by Olusegun Obasanjo, The Erstwhile President of Nigeria. The library is located at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State. It is usually open between 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and closes on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The library is an archive of the documents and materials used by the President during his tenure.

It has rooms and venues for hosting meetings and accommodating up to 1,500 guests.

The library offers different sections ranging from the main library building to the modern AirForce One Pavilion.

12. Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls (Osun State)

Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls is a stunning natural attraction located in the Oke-Ila Orangun area of Osun State, Nigeria. It is known for its scenic beauty and serene environment. The waterfall is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts.

The waterfall features a cascading drop into a clear pool below, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Tourists and visitors alike can enjoy various activities such as swimming in the pool, picnicking, hiking, and photography. The surrounding forest also offers opportunities for bird watching and exploring the local flora and fauna.

Although accessible anytime, the best time that indigenes advise to visit Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls is during the rainy season (April to October) when the water flow is at its peak, providing a more spectacular view of the falls.

Whether you’re looking for an adventurous hike, a peaceful retreat, or a chance to connect with nature, Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls offers a memorable experience.

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Culture

16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

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October 22, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Discover 16 famous cultural festivals in India, from Diwali and Holi to Rath Yatra and the Pushkar Camel Fair, celebrating the country’s rich heritage (more…)

Culture

Netherlands Returns Historic Benin Artefact to Oba Ewuare II

Published

11 hours ago

October 22, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Netherlands returns Benin artefact to Oba Ewuare II as the restitution of African cultural treasures gains momentum during his 10th coronation anniversary

The Kingdom of the Netherlands has returned a centuries-old Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, in Benin City, Edo State, as part of activities marking the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary on October 21, 2026, in a move that adds momentum to international efforts to restore African cultural heritage to its place of origin.

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The artefact, which had been held in the collection of Museum de Fundatie in the Netherlands since 1937, was presented to the monarch by the museum’s executive director, Beatrice von Bormann, in the presence of Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos.

The handover highlights renewed efforts by museums and governments to address the history of African cultural objects held in foreign collections and reconnect communities with artefacts of historical, cultural and spiritual significance.

Speaking during the presentation, von Bormann said investigations had traced the artefact’s origins to the 18th century.

She expressed satisfaction at its return to the Benin Kingdom, noting that the object had travelled across different parts of the world before reaching its place of origin.

She also explained that the artefact carried spiritual symbolism associated with reincarnation and Olokun, the Benin deity linked to the sea and wealth.

The return comes amid a broader international campaign to secure the restitution of African cultural treasures taken during colonial encounters.

The Benin Kingdom has been at the centre of these efforts, with historical objects from the former Benin Kingdom dispersed among museums and private collections across several countries.

Receiving the artefact, Oba Ewuare II reflected on the longstanding historical relationship between the Benin Kingdom and Portugal, recalling contacts between the two societies dating back to the 15th century.

The monarch said early encounters included efforts to introduce Catholicism into the kingdom but stressed that the Benin people had maintained their traditional religious beliefs and spiritual practices.

“We have a very unique link with the Portuguese. When I was told that the Portuguese Ambassador was around, it was like telepathy, because I had been thinking already about Portugal,” Oba Ewuare II said.

The monarch also expressed surprise at learning that the Vatican recognised African traditional religions, describing the development as significant to wider discussions about the recognition of indigenous African spirituality.

The presentation added historical and cultural significance to the celebrations marking Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary, while drawing attention to the role of restitution in preserving the identity and heritage of the Benin Kingdom.

The return of the artefact also reinforces calls for continued cooperation between African institutions and international museums to establish the origins of disputed objects and facilitate their return where appropriate.

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For the Benin Kingdom, the recovery represents more than the return of an old object. It offers an opportunity to preserve historical knowledge, sustain cultural traditions and pass an important part of the kingdom’s heritage to future generations.

Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

3 weeks ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”