This is the list of the top 10 Nigerian historical sites that are worth visiting In 2025.
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| No | Historical Sites | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olumo Rock | Abeokuta, Ogun State |
| 2 | Badagry (Gberefun Island) | Lagos State |
| 3 | Ancient Kano City Walls | Kano, Kano State |
| 4 | Esie Museum | Irepodun LGA, Kwara State |
| 5 | Arochukwu Long Juju Slave Route | Abia State |
| 6 | Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove | Osogbo, Osun State |
| 7 | Gobirau Minaret | Katsina State |
| 8 | Jaekel House | Lagos State |
| 9 | Freedom Park | Lagos State |
| 10 | Idanre Hill | Ondo State |
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1. Olumo Rock – Abeokuta, Ogun State
Olumo Rock is a famous historical site in Nigeria, located in Abeokuta, Ogun State. This mountain has great cultural and historical importance, especially to the Egba people.
During the 19th century, it was a natural fortress, protecting the Egbas during inter-tribal wars. The rock’s strategic position allowed them to watch for enemy movements and stay safe.
And, this protection helped the Egba people win battles and establish the city of Abeokuta. The name “Olumo” comes from two Yoruba words: “Olu,” meaning deity or god, and “Mo,” meaning moulded.
Also, the rock has spiritual significance, as it is associated with the Yoruba religion and its orishas. Standing 137 meters above sea level, Olumo Rock is now a top tourist attraction in Nigeria.
Visitors can explore its caves, climb to the top for amazing views, and learn about its historical role in protecting the Egba people.
2. Badagry (Gberefun Island) – Lagos State
Gberefu Island, also called the Point of No Return, is a historical island in Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria. It was a major part of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
The island is seen by two slanted poles facing the Atlantic Ocean, symbolizing its past as a slave port. Opened in 1473, it became a key location where millions of Africans were enslaved and shipped to the Americas and the Caribbean.
Historians estimate that about 3 million people were sent away from this island between 1518 and 1880. The island is managed by two chiefs crowned by the Akran of Badagry Kingdom.
The first settlers were the Ewe people, skilled fishermen, and salt merchants from Keta. Other ethnic groups, including the Egun and Ilaje, also lived in harmony on the island.
Today, Gberefu Island attracts visitors from around the world. Many come to see the slave route that leads to the Point of No Return, learning about its tragic history. In 2015, over 3,600 people visited the site within six months.
3. Ancient Kano City Walls – Kano, Kano State
The Ancient Kano City Walls, known as Ganuwa in Hausa, is a historic landmark in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. These walls were built to protect the people of ancient Kano and are considered one of West Africa’s most impressive monuments.
Construction began in 1095 during the reign of Sarki Gijimasu, the third king of Kano. The wall was completed in the 14th century under King Zamnagawa and was later expanded in the 16th century.
Also, theREAD ALSO: List Of Ministers Of State For Agriculture And Food Security In Nigeria (2015-Present) walls were admired for their strength and size. When British forces captured Kano in 1903, Fredrick Lugard, the general governor of Nigeria at the time, described the walls as unlike anything he had ever seen in Africa.
The structure includes Dala Hill, where Kano was founded, Kurmi Market, and the Emir’s Palace. Also, the walls stood 30 to 50 feet tall, were 40 feet thick at the base, and had 15 gates.
4. Esie Museum – Irepodun LGA, Kwara State
The Esie Museum is located in the town of Esie, in Irepodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, Nigeria. It was established in 1945 and is known for housing a unique collection of human-shaped stone figures called Esie Stone Images (Ere Esie).
The museum was the first of its kind in Nigeria. Also, the Esie Museum is famous for having the largest collection of soapstone images in the world. These stone figures believed to represent human beings, have been part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage for centuries.
Every year, in April, the museum hosts a festival, which is a time for people to celebrate and learn more about the history and traditions of the area.
5. Arochukwu Long Juju Slave Route – Abia State
The Arochukwu Long Juju Slave Route is one of the talk-about historical sites in Arochukwu, Abia State, Nigeria. It is linked to the transatlantic slave trade and the spiritual beliefs of the Igbo people.
The route was used to transport people condemned by the Long Juju oracle. This oracle was believed to have great power over life and death. In the past, the Long Juju oracle was part of the Aro Confederacy’s justice system.
Those found guilty of serious crimes like murder or witchcraft were sentenced by the oracle, often to be enslaved or executed. The judgments made there were final and could not be challenged without severe consequences.
Some key landmarks on the route include the Ibini Ukpabi Shrine, where the oracle was worshipped, the Judgment Seat where decisions were announced, and the Execution Ground where punishments were carried out.
Today, the Arochukwu Long Juju Slave Route is a cultural and historical site that helps us understand the connections between spirituality, justice, and the history of slavery in Nigeria. It is surrounded by hilly, forested land, which has made it a mystical place to visit.
6. Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove – Osogbo, Osun State
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a special forest located by the Osun River, just outside the city of Osogbo in Osun State, Nigeria.
This ancient grove has been around for many centuries and is one of the last sacred forests that once surrounded many Yoruba cities before urbanization.
It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 because of its cultural and historical value. In the 1950s, the grove was in danger of being forgotten.
Many of the shrines were neglected, and people ignored the rules about fishing, hunting, and cutting trees in the grove.
But a woman from Austria named Susanne Wenger helped restore the grove’s sacredness. With the help of local leaders and people, she worked to protect the grove, making it a lively center of worship again.
She became honored for her efforts and was given the title “Adunni Olorisha.” The Osun-Osogbo Festival is held every year in August to honor the Osun River Goddess. This festival has been celebrated for over 700 years.
It includes a two-week program with traditional activities like cleansing the city, lighting an ancient lamp, and parading the crowns of past kings. The festival brings together people from all over the world to celebrate Osun’s protection and blessings.
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7. Gobirau Minaret – Katsina State
The Gobarau Minaret is a 50-foot (15-meter) tall tower located in the center of Katsina, northern Nigeria. It is an example of early Muslim architecture in the region and is a symbol of the city.
The minaret is part of a mosque that was built in the 15th century during the reign of King Muhammadu Korau, the first Muslim ruler of Katsina.
However, the mosque was created with the help of Sheikh Muhammad Abdulkarim Almaghili, an influential Islamic scholar from Algeria.
The mosque became a center for learning and spiritual activities, similar to mosques in Timbuktu. A popular legend about the mosque’s construction involves a disagreement about the mosque’s direction.
When a scholar named Mallam Jodoma correctly pointed out the direction of the Ka’abah, he became the Chief Imam but was later banished after becoming too influential.
8. Jaekel House – Lagos State
The Jaekel House is a two-story colonial mansion located in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Nigeria. It was built in 1898 on a large piece of land and was named after Francis Jaekel, a former superintendent of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Jaekel retired in the 1970s after nearly 30 years of service. The house was originally the home of the General Manager of the Railway Corporation but later became a rest house for senior staff.
In 2010, Jaekel House was renovated and restored by Professor John Godwin and the Railway Corporation. Now, it is a mini museum that showcases photographs, artifacts, and tools from Nigeria’s railway history, dating from the 1940s to the 1970s.
The museum shows historical events, people, and places from Nigeria’s past, both before and after independence. Jaekel House is managed by Legacy1995, an organization dedicated to preserving the history of Nigeria’s early railway system.
The house also serves as a popular wedding venue. It has been featured in films and music videos, including the movie October 1 and a Simi music video.
On World Tourism Day 2024, the house hosted a celebration with activities like a museum tour, traditional dances, and games.
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9. Freedom Park – Lagos State
Freedom Park is located in the heart of Lagos Island, Nigeria, and it was once known as Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prison.
The park was designed by architect Theo Lawson in 1999 as part of a project by the Creative Intelligence Agency, now called the Cultural Intellectual Association.
It was built to preserve Nigerian history and culture and opened in 2010 to celebrate Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary.
Before it became a park, Broad Street Prison was an important site. It was originally built in 1882 by the British colonial government after Lagos became a colony in 1861.
The prison hosted many political activists who fought for Nigeria’s independence. It was rebuilt in 1885 after being repeatedly set on fire by opponents of colonial rule.
Broad Street Prison was demolished in 1979 and left in disrepair until plans to turn it into a creative space began in the 1990s.
10. Idanre Hill – Ondo State
Idanre Hill, located in Idanre town in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria, is a stunning natural site that stands 3,000 feet (914 meters) above sea level.
It is famous for its beautiful landscape and rich cultural significance.
The hill is home to different sites, such as the Owa’s Palace, shrines, the Old Court, the Belfry, Agbooogun footprint, Thunder Water (Omi Apaara), and burial grounds.
These landmarks have helped Idanre Hill gain fame and even led to its nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Idanre Hill is unique because of its mix of natural and cultural features.
The area has an incredible variety of plants and animals, including a special species of tailless animal called Hyrax.
The people of Idanre lived on the hill for nearly a thousand years until they moved downhill in 1923.
Idanre Hill is also a place for scientific research and a filming location.
It was even the inspiration for Professor Wole Soyinka’s longest poem, “Idanre and Other Poems.”