The list of things to do in Nigeria is as diverse as its 250+ ethnic groups. And they go far beyond the clichés of jollof rice and Afrobeat rhythms.

According to the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, the country welcomes millions of domestic and international travelers each year.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a homegrown explorer, Nigeria has a way of surprising you at every turn.

One moment you’re hiking up the green hills of Obudu, and the next, you’re dancing barefoot at a local festival or digging into street food that slaps way harder than expected.

This guide explores unforgettable things to do in Nigeria. As Africa’s most populous country and economic powerhouse, Nigeria offers more than meets the eye, it’s a living, breathing showcase of vibrant experiences.

Yankari National Park (Bauchi State)

Safari scene at Yankari National Park, a top wildlife experience among things to do in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s premier wildlife destination in Bauchi State, spanning 2,244 sq km. Embark on safari drives to encounter elephants, baboons, waterbucks, and 350+ bird species.

One of the things to do in Nigeria is unwind in the natural Wikki Warm Springs, maintaining a constant 31°C year-round.

Cross River National Park (Cross River State)

Experience one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests, home to the endangered Cross River Gorilla.

The park features two sections; Oban and Okwangwo with guided hiking trails where you might spot forest elephants, chimpanzees, and rare butterflies.

Obudu Mountain Resort (Cross River State)

Obudu Mountain Resort landscape – Scenic view of Obudu Mountain Resort with lush greenery and winding trails in Cross River, Nigeria.

Perched at 1,576 meters above sea level, this highland paradise offers spectacular views, one of the best in Nigeria. Ride the 4km cable car across valleys and mountains.

The resort’s cool climate provides a refreshing escape with opportunities for horse riding, hiking, and bird watching.

Erin Ijesha Waterfalls (Osun State)

Chasing waterfalls at Erin Ijesha – an unforgettable thing to do in Nigeria for nature lovers.

Also known as Olumirin Falls, this seven-tiered natural wonder cascades through lush forest.

Each level offers unique swimming pools and different vantage points. Local legends claim the falls have mystical powers that fulfil wishes of visitors who reach the seventh tier.

If you’re looking for things to do in Nigeria, visiting the waterfall is a good way to start.

Idanre Hills (Ondo State)

Hiking trail in Idanre Hills – Panoramic view of hikers trekking the ancient stone steps of Idanre Hills in Ondo State, Nigeria

This UNESCO World Heritage Site nominee features ancient granite hills rising dramatically from the surrounding plains.

Climb the 640 steps to explore a 500-year-old mountain-top community complete with the Owa’s Palace, ancient court buildings, and the mysterious “Wonder Rock.”

Water Activities

Lekki Conservation Centre (Lagos)

Urban escape featuring Africa’s longest canopy walkway (401 meters) suspended above pristine mangrove swamps and rainforest ecosystems.

Tarkwa Bay (Lagos)

Unwinding at Tarkwa Bay – one of the most relaxing things to do in Nigeria.

This secluded artificial beach provides a perfect day-trip escape from Lagos, accessible only by boat.

The 20-minute boat ride from Victoria Island opens to golden sands, swaying palm trees, and gentle waves perfect for swimming and beginner surfers.

La Campagne Tropicana (Lagos)

Experience the world’s only beach where fresh water, salt water, and fresh water meet.

The distinctive colored sand beaches, from white to pink to brown provide perfect backgrounds for Instagram-worthy photos.

Sports & Adventure

Paintballing at Upbeat Recreation Centre (Lagos) or Mainland Park (Abuja)

eam in gear playing paintball at Upbeat Recreation Centre in Lagos. An adrenaline-fueled activity and one of the exciting things to do in Nigeria.

Engage in adrenaline-pumping tactical warfare across specially designed courses featuring barricades, bunkers, and abandoned vehicles.

Zip-lining at Lekki Conservation Centre (Lagos)

Walking above the treetops at Lekki Conservation Centre – a thrilling nature-filled thing to do in Nigeria.

Soar 22 meters above the protected wetland ecosystem on Nigeria’s premier zip-line.

The 150-meter cable sends adventurers flying over the treetops with panoramic views.

Hiking and Rock climbing at Iyamapo Hill (Oyo State)

Climbing Olumo Rock for panoramic views – a must-do among the adventurous things to do in Nigeria.

Standing as one of the tallest hills in the region, it serves as a perfect escape into nature, drawing in both history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

Cultural Experiences (Festivals & Celebrations)

Calabar Carnival (December)

Experiencing local culture through dance – one of the most exciting things to do in Nigeria.

Known as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party,” this month-long spectacle transforms Cross River State’s capital into an explosion of color, music, and dance.

The carnival’s highlight is the 12km parade featuring competing bands in elaborate costumes.

Osun-Osogbo Festival (August)

Sacred procession during the Osun-Osogbo Festival, a spiritual and historical celebration among enriching things to do in Nigeria.

his UNESCO-recognized two-week cultural celebration honors the river goddess Osun in Osun State’s sacred grove.

Dating back over 600 years, the festival features traditional cleansing rituals and colorful processions led by the Arugba (virgin maiden) carrying ceremonial offerings to the river.

Durbar Festival (Eid celebrations)

Traditional horsemen in vibrant regalia at the Durbar Festival, an iconic cultural spectacle and one of the heritage-rich things to do in Nigeria.

A spectacular equestrian display held in northern Nigerian cities like Kano, Katsina, and Zaria during Islamic religious celebrations.

Thousands of horsemen dressed in elaborate traditional attire demonstrate their riding skills before the Emir (traditional ruler).

New Yam Festival (August-October)

Masked performers celebrating the New Yam Festival, an authentic Igbo tradition and one of the most cultural things to do in Nigeria.

Experience the most significant cultural festival of the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria, celebrating the harvest of the yam crop.

The festival features masquerade performances, traditional wrestling competitions, and ceremonial presentations of new yams.

Argungu Fishing Festival (Kebbi State)

Dating back to 1934, this extraordinary competition features thousands of fishermen simultaneously diving into the Argungu River armed only with traditional nets and gourds for flotation.

Competitors vie to catch the largest fish using bare hands within a one-hour period.

Arts and Craft

Nike Art Gallery (Lagos)

dmiring local masterpieces at Nike Art Gallery – one of the most inspiring art-focused things to do in Nigeria.

Housing over 8,000 diverse artworks across four floors, this gallery represents Nigeria’s largest collection of contemporary and traditional art.

The gallery showcases paintings, sculptures, beadwork, and textiles from across Nigeria’s ethnic groups.

Benin Bronze Casting (Edo State)

Observe the world-famous bronze casting tradition that produced artworks now housed in museums worldwide.

Master craftsmen demonstrate the lost-wax casting method virtually unchanged since the 13th century.

Adire cloth dyeing in Abeokuta (Ogun State)

Discover Nigeria’s renowned indigo-dyed textiles in Abeokuta, the historical center of this sophisticated resist-dyeing tradition.

Visit multi-generational family compounds where women artisans demonstrate techniques including sewn raffia patterns and starch-resist application.

Fine Dining Experiences

RSVP Lagos (Victoria Island)

Experience contemporary Nigerian fine dining featuring locally-sourced ingredients transformed through modern culinary techniques.

The restaurant offers innovative tasting menus pairing traditional Nigerian flavors with international presentation standards.

Nok by Alara (Lagos)

Discover pan-African fine dining in this architecturally stunning restaurant housed within the avant-garde Alara concept store designed by renowned architect David Adjaye.

The menu marries traditional ingredients from across the continent with contemporary cooking techniques.

Jevinik Restaurant (Abuja)

raditional Nigerian dishes served in a modern setting at Jevinik Restaurant, Abuja, perfect for culinary explorers seeking things to do in Nigeria.

Sample elevated interpretations of traditional Nigerian dishes representing all major ethnic regions.

Special tasting platters allow guests to experience multiple regional specialties in a single sitting.

Historical Tours (Pre-colonial Sites)

Sukur Cultural Landscape (Adamawa State)

Explore Nigeria’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring a remarkable palace complex perched atop a hill surrounded by terraced fields.

This includes sacred sites, and iron-smelting furnaces dating back to the 16th century.

Kano City Walls (Kano State)

Walk along the massive 14km defensive walls surrounding Nigeria’s second-largest city, originally built in the 11th century and continually reinforced until the 19th century.

Standing up to 15 meters high in places, these ancient mud walls represent one of Africa’s most impressive military engineering achievements.

Ancient Nok Culture sites (Kaduna State)

Exploring the medieval-style Kajuru Castle – one of the most unique and surprising things to do in Nigeria.

Discover the mysterious civilization that created Africa’s earliest known figurative sculptures dating from 500 BCE to 200 CE.

Archaeological sites showcase sophisticated terracotta sculptures featuring distinctive elongated heads and elaborate hairstyles.

Benin Moats (Edo State)

Explore sections of what was once the world’s largest man-made earthwork, a series of connected trenches and walls surrounding the ancient Kingdom of Benin that impressed early European visitors with their scale and engineering sophistication.

Colonial Heritage

Badagry Heritage Museum (Lagos State)

Visiting the Badagry Slave Museum – a powerful and educational thing to do in Nigeria.

Housed in a former colonial administrative building, this museum provides a powerful examination of Badagry’s central role in the transatlantic slave trade.

The collection includes original slave chains, auction blocks, and personal items of the enslaved alongside exhibits explaining local collaboration and resistance movements.

First Storey Building (Badagry)

Explore Nigeria’s oldest European-style building, constructed in 1845 by Anglican missionaries.

This preserved two-story structure served as a mission house, school, and headquarters for early Bible translation projects.

Colonial buildings tour in Lagos

Discover how European architectural styles adapted to tropical conditions in buildings that housed colonial administration, commerce, and social life.

The tour examines distinctive structures including Tinubu Square’s colonial-era fountain and Brazilian-influenced merchant houses built by returned former slaves.

Lord Lugard’s Rest House (Lokoja)

Visit the hillside residence of Frederick Lugard, who orchestrated the controversial 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria.

The preserved building combines European colonial and local architectural elements with commanding views of the Niger-Benue river confluence.

Independence & Modern History

National War Museum (Umuahia)

Display of Civil War tanks and artifacts at National War Museum Umuahia, a sobering but vital visit among historical things to do in Nigeria.

Gain insights into Nigeria’s devastating 1967-1970 Civil War through exhibits of military equipment, personal artifacts, and multimedia presentations.

The museum preserves the underground bunker system that served as Biafran headquarters.

Freedom Park (Lagos)

Experience the transformation of a former colonial prison into a vibrant memorial and cultural center honoring independence struggles.

The park preserves original prison structures alongside contemporary art installations, performance spaces, and exhibition galleries.

Tafawa Balewa Square (Lagos)

Stand where Nigeria’s independence was formally declared on October 1, 1960.

This massive 14.5-hectare ceremonial ground features the iconic Independence House and ceremonial entrance gates adorned with massive statues of colonial-era horses.

URBAN EXPERIENCES (Nightlife & Entertainment)

New Afrika Shrine (Lagos)

Experience the pulsating musical legacy of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti at this legendary performance venue established by his children Femi and Yeni Kuti.

The Shrine combines live Afrobeat performances with political consciousness and traditional Yoruba spirituality.

Filmhouse IMAX (Lagos, Abuja)

Immerse yourself in Nigeria’s booming Nollywood film industry at these state-of-the-art cinemas featuring both international blockbusters and domestic productions.

Regular red-carpet premieres attract Nigeria’s film stars, directors, and cultural influencers.

Victoria Island club-hopping (Lagos)

Navigate the pulsating heart of West Africa’s most sophisticated nightlife district, where world-class venues compete to attract Lagos’ discerning party crowd.

International DJs regularly join Nigerian turntable stars creating musical journeys from traditional highlife through Afrobeats to global house and hip-hop.

Jazz clubs like Terra Kulture (Lagos) or Salamander Café (Abuja)

Discover Nigeria’s sophisticated jazz scene, where traditional West African rhythms merge with global jazz influences.

Regular events include tributes to Nigerian jazz pioneers and fusion experiments combining jazz with indigenous musical forms.

Live theater performances at National Theatre (Lagos) or Muson Centre (Lagos)

Experience Nigeria’s vibrant performing arts tradition through productions ranging from contemporary interpretations of traditional folk stories to cutting-edge social commentaries.

Performances often combine traditional storytelling techniques with modern theatrical approaches.

Shopping and Markets

Lekki Arts & Crafts Market (Lagos)

Shopping handmade treasures at Lekki Arts Market – a creative and culture-filled thing to do in Nigeria.

Navigate this sprawling creative haven where master artisans from across West Africa display extraordinary craftsmanship in wood, brass, leather, textiles, and beadwork.

Unlike mass-produced souvenir markets, Lekki features skilled craftspeople creating items on-site using traditional techniques.

Jabi Lake Mall (Abuja)

Experience Nigeria’s rapidly evolving retail landscape at this ultra-modern shopping complex representing the country’s growing middle-class consumer culture.

The mall combines international luxury brands, Nigerian designer boutiques, and diverse dining options overlooking picturesque Jabi Lake.

Kurmi Market (Kano)

Immerse yourself in one of Africa’s oldest continuously operating markets, established over 500 years ago and still functioning as the commercial heart of northern Nigeria’s largest city.

Things to do in Nigeria: Experiences & Activities