Nigeria, and all that it's #HomeTo

Home to a population of 223 million people, Nigeria is located in West Africa bordering countries such as Cameroon and Niger. Nigeria is famous for its beautiful landmarks, delicious cuisine and for its rich culture and traditions.

Nigeria is known worldwide for being home to some iconic landmarks. These include the stunning Tarkwa Bay, the prominent Aso Rock and the Third Mainland Bridge which is the longest bridge in West Africa.

Keep reading to learn more facts about what Nigeria is home to.

#HomeTo the iconic Aso Rock

Located on the outskirts of Abuja City, Aso Rock is a huge monolith rock which has a peak height of 936 meters above sea level. It has long been one of Nigeria’s most iconic landmarks and is a location known for being rich in history. It gained its name ‘Aso’ which means ‘victory’ in the Gbagyi dialect as the Asokoro people have never been defeated in battle. It is said that whenever there was an invasion, the villages around Aso Rock would be thrown into pitch darkness. This then made it impossible for the enemy to fight the Asokoros. Aso Rock is also known for having over 10 caves but most of them are unsafe or are inaccessible. Some hiking groups in Abuja have successfully hiked the rock but hiking this landmark is not recommended to casual hikers.

#HomeTo Okomu National Park

The Okomu National Park can be found North West of Benin City. It is a 1,082km park which holds a forest that is home to many endangered species. Sadly, the forest continues to shrink in size as villages build up around it. It is now less than one third of its original size. The area is known for being home to beautiful animals such as elephants, buffalos, chimpanzees, leopards as well as over 150 species of birds. Okomu National Park is accessible to tourists and has marked trails for visitors. Tour guides are also available at the park so that visitors can safely explore the area.

#HomeTo Victoria Island in Lagos

Nigeria’s Victoria Island is one of the country’s most affluent areas. It is home to the main financial and business districts in Lagos. Victoria Island is home to many important Nigerian establishments. This includes The Nigerian Law School, Nigerian Television Authority, National Open University and Bonny Cantonment Military Base. It is also famous for being one of the most luxurious places to live in Nigeria. Victoria Island is known for being home to many of Nigeria’s theaters, museums and cultural as well as social venues.

#HomeTo a Delicious Cuisine

Like many other Western African cuisines, Nigerian food uses a range of spices and herbs. It is also famous for offering deeply flavored sauces and soups. Rice is also a staple in Nigerian dishes but it can come in many forms. Popular rice choices range from coconut, ofada, banga, palma-oil, danbu, fried rice and the very popular jollof rice. Jollof rice is made using pureed tomato and scotch bonnet-based sauce. Nigerian cuisine is also known for its rich tasting bean based dishes, soups and stews. Some iconic dishes include suya (spicy grilled kebab), ogbono soup, pepper soup and gari.

#HomeTo West Africa’s Longest Bridge

Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland of Nigeria. The structure has 8 lanes and is 11.8km in length. It was the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when the 6th October Bridge in Egypt was completed. On average, it takes about 15 minutes to drive across the Third Mainland Bridge. The landmark takes you from Owonronshoki to the Adeniji Adele in Lagos depending on traffic.

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