Thursday, 27 February 2014

Top 5 Cities in Nigeria

Considering a number of factors used to compare cities and answers to my questionnaire I came up with this Top 5 cities in Nigeria.

  • 1  ABUJA

 Known for being a purpose-built city, as well as being one of the wealthiest and most expensive in the country. Exciting landscapes, architectural masterpieces, several parks and green areas, the largest one being Millennium Park .Quite a number of rocks with the largest, Aso Rock  dominating the landscape of the city. A good number of standard hotels notably, Transcorp Hilton, Le meridian and Abuja Sheraton




Attractions:
Strabag Hills, Usman River/Dam, Gurara River/falls, Aso rock, Zuma rock, Abuja Art and Crafts Village, Ladi Kwali Pottery Centre, The Central bank and Nigerian communications commission museums.

Others: International airport, a stadium, Guards Polo Club, Royal Polo Club and IBB golf course the finest and most prestigious in Nigeria.
Accessibility:Road and air.




  • 2  CALABAR
Nigeria’s first capital city,   at the bank of Calabar river and ranks among the country’s cleanest. With good roads and light traffic  getting around is bliss.
The city also boasts of colonial architecture, standard hotels, resorts, parks, green areas, lots of historical and cultural landmarks.
Its safety, proximity to some of the nation’s top attractions coupled with the hospitable and friendliness of the people makes the city a tourist’s delight..


                    
                      Attractions:
The annual Calabar  Carnival/Festival, Obudu Mountain Resort, Cross River National Park, Calabar Beach, Afi wildlife sanctuary, kwa falls, Boshi Game Reserve, slave history park, Mary Slessor Cottage and an International Museum

Others: An Airport, a stadium, a Botanical Garden, Calabar golf club

          Accessible: Road, Air and sea.



  • 3  LAGOS
Nigeria’s smallest state but  the nation's largest urban area and Africa’s most populated city. The state of aquatic splendor has the densely populated mainland and island parts, both connected by bridges notably 3rd Mainland Bridge, the longest in Africa.
Not really in the good books of leisure tourists, due to  teeming population and traffic. However, it is number one for business travelers.
known for its music, entertainment and night life. 
Several standard hotels with global chains like Intercontinental Lagos (5 star), Four Points, Radisson Blu, Golden tulip, Sun International, Le Meridian, Sheraton etc.
Bars, Local and intercontinental restaurants, Art houses, malls,Cinemas and recently its unkempt parks have being brought back.


              Attractions:
National museum, Didi museum, lekki Conservation Center, Eyo festival, Slave Port/ market & jetty Badagry. Numerous beaches/ beach resorts; Tarkwa Bay Beach (a sheltered beached only accessible by boat), Ibeshe beach, La Campagne Beach Resort, Hermitage Beach Resort among others

Others: Two airports, two stadia, Ikoyi  club golf course, World class Lakowe Lake golf course. Ikoyi polo club, Casinos.
  Accessible by road, rail, air and sea.



                    



  • 4  JOS

Despite many crises that have plagued Jos, the North central city remains number one in terms of natural beauty. On an altitude of 4062ft (1026M above sea level) and endowed with; scenic beauty, temperate climate, chains of Hills, many rocks, urban/rural mix and cultural heritage, thus making it a tourist haven of Nigeria.
It is very affordable  to holiday in Jos.Plateau, Crest and Hill station Hotels are among the few standard hotels in the city. A trip to Jos from Abuja by road makes one see the beauty of the city from its out sketch

                        Attractions:
Assop falls, Kurra falls, Wildlife Safari Park, Oldest National Museum in Nigeria, Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture, Jos Zoo, Kerang highlands, Riyom Rock, Shere Hills, Pandam Game Reserves.
Others: An Airport, Stadium, a Polo club, Rayfield and Plateau Golf courses.

Accessibility:  Road, rail and air.



 
    
  • 5  PORT HARCOURT
 The heart of Nigeria’s Oil industry, beats the historic city of Kano to number 5 but still has issues of congestion and traffic. Referred to as the garden city because of its numerous avenues and ornaments, the sociable city has so much local flavor with many recreational centers, standard hotels such as the Le Meridian Hotel, Presidential Hotel, Golden Tulip and Novotel among others.
Also entertainment centers with cinemas, night clubs, bars and restuarants can be found in the city.


                     
                       Attractions:  
National museum, Bonny river/island,
Isaac Boro Park,  Monument of King Jaja of Opobo, Okrika Aquatic Stadium, Ifoko Beach,  Port Harcourt Tourist Beach , Isaka Holiday Cruise Island, Masquerade display at Abonem, Ogidi Shrine at Nembe. Upper Orashi Forest Reserve.
Others: International airport , two stadia, Golf courses and a Polo club.
 Accessibility: road, rail, air and sea
  

Hope you enjoyed this one, until my next post bye for now.