Tourist attractions in Lagos

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Lagos Island and Harbor Lagos Island.jpg
Lagos Island and Harbor

Lagos State in Nigeria is home to several notable tourist sites. Tourism in the state first received government attention by the Military Administration around 1995. The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is charged with responsibility for the state. The state's tourist sites receive thousands of annual visitors, with significant contribution to state GDP. [1] [2]

Contents

Parks and conservation areas

Lekki Conservation Centre

Lekki conservation center Monkey at Lekki Conservation Centre 03.jpg
Lekki conservation center

The Lekki Conservation Centre is located in the centre of Lekki. The tourist area, which covers a land area of 78 hectares, is located on the Lekki Peninsula, next to the Lekki Lagoon, and near the Lagos Lagoon. The LCC’s  401-metre long canopy walkway is the longest canopy walkway in Africa. It is a suspended swinging bridge walkway, featuring several types of vegetation and animals. [3]

Freedom Park, Lagos

Freedom Park is a memorial and leisure park area in the middle of downtown Lagos in Lagos Island, Nigeria; the park symbolizes the transformation of colonial prison to a symbol of freedom. Activities at the park include cultural shows and events, continental and traditional meals, and live music. [4] [5]

Museums and galleries

Ikeja

The Kalakuta Museum

Dedicated to legacy of Fela Kuti, curating artifacts related to the life, artistry and activism of the legendary Afrobeat musician. The Kalakuta Museum in Ikeja, Lagos derives much of its authenticity from being located in the actual three-storey house where Fela lived and self-declared to be "The Kalakuta Republic," an independent, self-governing state in defiance of Nigeria's then military dictatorship. [6]

Lekki

Nike Art Gallery is an art gallery in Lekki, Lagos, The gallery is one of the largest collections of indigenous Nigerian artwork, and is currently the largest privately owned art gallery in Africa. [4]

Upsidedown house

Explore a unique fully furnished colonial era house, which happens to be upside down - with furniture on the ceiling. Located at Landmark recreation area along Water Corporation Road in Victoria Island. [7]

Mindscapes Children's Museum

Hands-on experiences that promote curiosity and exploration. The museum features exhibits and themed areas designed to stimulate different aspects of learning and play. Located on Michael Olawale Street, Off Admiralty Road, in Lekki. [8]

Victoria Island

National Museum, lagos

One of the 65 museums and historical sites managed by Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The Lagos National Museum houses a treasure trove of archaeological and ethnographic exhibits ranging from elegant statuary to intricate carvings and more, including the Jemaa Head which is a striking example of terra-cotta craft from the Nok culture and one of the museum's crown jewels. Located in Onikan area.

J. Randal Center

The J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History is a new museum in Lagos, Nigeria, dedicated to celebrating and preserving Yoruba culture and history. It's located in the Onikan area, the cultural heart of Lagos Island. The center features a variety of exhibits, including those showcasing Yoruba art, fashion, literature, music and more. [9]

Beaches and Water Parks

Lagos state has over 700km of Atlantic sandy beaches with about 20 between the West of Badagry and East of Lekki. They include:

Landmark Leisure Beach

The Landmark Leisure Beach is a beach that is located in Lagos, Lagos State Nigeria. It is at numbers 3 & 4 Water Corporation Road, VI, Lagos. [10] [11] The beach is open to the public every day. It employed paid lifeguards who watch over the beach and have rescued many people from drowning. [12]

Other Beaches

Water parks

Giwa Gardens in the Sangotedo district is a water park that claims to be the largest in West Africa. [18]

Cultural, Heritage, Historical Sites and Trails

Ikorodu

Badagry

The historic town of Badagry was an important slave port through which thousands of slaves annually (millions cumulatively) were dispatched to Europe and the Americas during The Transatlantic Slave Trade.

References

  1. "Lagos State Tourism". lagostourism.lagosstate.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  2. "Nigeria: Lagos tourism contribution to GDP 2026". Statista. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  3. "Lekki Conservation Centre". Visit Nigeria Now. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  4. 1 2 "Nike Centre for Art and Culture: visit Nigeria with Nike". nikeart.com. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  5. EM (2023-05-30). "5 Unbelievable Things You Didn't Know About Freedom Park Lagos • Exquisite Magazine - Fashion, Beauty And Lifestyle". exquisitemag.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  6. https://felakuti.com
  7. https://upsidedownhouse.ng/about
  8. mindscapesmuseums.org https://mindscapesmuseums.org
  9. https://www.jrandlecentre.com
  10. Lagos State Government, Lagos State Tourism (18 September 2022). "Attractions". Lagos State Tourism. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  11. "Landmark Africa Opens for Business, Upgrade Facilities – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  12. "In pictures: The lifeguards of Lagos". BBC News. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  13. "Atlas Cove: Navy at war with vandals". Vanguard News. 2019-02-27. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  14. "Bar Beach Lagos State :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  15. "Elegushi Beach Lagos State :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  16. travelwaka (2019-12-08). "Tarkwa Bay Beach - An island off the Coast of Lagos". TravelWaka. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  17. "About Lagos". Lagos State Government. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  18. Giwa Gardens at Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria The Largest Water Park in West Africa , retrieved 2024-03-16
  19. https://guardian.ng/life/3-historical-slavery-museums-every-nigerian-should-visit/