What?s not to love about Ibadan? A guide to enjoying the brown roof city

Gone are those days when Ibadan used to be seen as a local city with dusty roads and brown roofs which gave it the brown roof city tag, the city is fast growing to be a metropolis. Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, located on seven hills is known as the biggest city in Africa in terms of land mass. It is the third most populous city in Nigeria with an estimated population of over three million people. The city is becoming the centre of tourist attraction with its low cost of living, smooth transportation and numerous entertainment hubs.

When is the best time to visit Ibadan?

The beautiful thing about the brown roof city is there is really no time you can.t visit. With a favourable weather condition, Ibadan is an all-season destination point. Tourists and visitors can visit at any time of the year.

Heading to Ibadan

By Road

Ibadan is directly linked with Lagos through the Lagos-Ibadan express way. At various terminals in Lagos, buses from Lagos to Ibadan charge 1000 naira. For extra comfort, mini buses charge 1,500 naira. Regional buses connect Ibadan to all major cities in Southwestern Nigeria, including Abeokuta, Ife, and north, via Oyo. Night buses also connect the city to the Kaduna, and the east.

By Air

The closest Airport to Ibadan is the Ibadan Airport currently serving only domestic flights. Local Airlines flying in and out of Ibadan include Arik Air and Overland Airways.

Staying in Ibadan

There are a lot of comfortable and decent hotels to stay in Ibadan. You can get a hotel for as low as 10,000 naira per night. Some hotel recommendations include Orchard hotel, Premier hotel, Golden tulip hotel. The good thing about spending the night in Ibadan is you don?t have to break your purse to have a good experience.

Places to Eat

Ibadan has quite a good number of places to eat although most of the establishments are either fast food joints or local outlets.

Martha?s Kitchen

A top notch restaurant located at Jericho, Ibadan. It?s a beautiful setting that offer fine dining in a soothing environment. The restaurant is well furnished, an excellent menu with both local and continental dishes and superb customer service. Martha?s Kitchen has made a reputation for itself in the city of Ibadan, it?s always a lovely experience dining here.

Wimpy Restaurant

Wimpy is a Lebanese restaurant offering a diverse menu including Chinese, Lebanese, native Nigerian dishes and confectioneries. Wimpy restaurant is located at Onireke Ibadan. It?s a simple restaurant with fine dining and charming d?cor. There?s also a supermarket within the premises for grocery shopping.

Caf? Chrysalis

Cafe Chrysalis is a restaurant located at 23, Ilaro Street, Ibadan. It?s a restaurant that has this private setting adorned with wooden vintage chairs and paintings. An excellent menu with delicious dishes and outstanding customer service to match makes it one of the best restaurants in the city of Ibadan.

Top things to do

There are lots of things to do if you want to make your stay in Ibadan worthwhile.

Visit the wildlife at Ibadan Zoo

Built in the department of zoology at the university of Ibadan in 1948, The Ibadan zoological garden remains the best zoo in Nigeria. Home to various domestic and wild animals, Ibadan zoo offers a one of a kind experience to visitors.

National Museum of Unity

The national museum of unity houses the richness and diversity of the Nigerian culture, dedicated to foster unity after the Nigerian civil war. The museum is divided into four galleries: the Unity Gallery, Masquerade Gallery, Pottery Gallery and Yoruba Gallery. Some of the materials in the museum are dated to be over 3,000 years old. The museum is a fascinating place to visit if you want to catch up with history.

Check out Mapo Hall

Mapo hall, sitting atop the Mapo hill was built in 1929 for the colonial administration. Built in colonial architecture style, the hall has seven columns which represents the seven hills on which the city of Ibadan stands. Seen as the symbol of authority and unity of Ibadan people, within it is a mini museum containing various relics and materials from the colonial era. And numerous pictures of the city?s royals from the first Olubadan (King of Ibadan) to the present in command. It has also become the venue for numerous social events and Yoruba celebrations.

Climb the Bower Tower

The bower tower is a 60 feet tall building with 47 spiral staircases perched on the Oke-Are hilltop. The tower gives a panoramic view of the four corners of the Ibadan city. The tower was erected in the 1930?s and was used by Captain Robert Lister Bower who was then the Resident and Travelling Commissioner for Ibadan and the Interior of Yorubaland in the South Western Nigeria. He supervised the dealings of the city and administered his government from the tower. If you want to behold the Ibadan metropolis at a glance, then you should be at the top of the bower tower.

Places of Interest

Ibadan has got lots of fascinating places for your pleasure and entertainment. Here are some of the places you should check out on your visit to Ibadan:

Agodi Gardens

The Agodi Botanical gardens is a leisure park and zoological garden that lies on 150 acres of land at Parliament road, Ibadan. Agodi Gardens is the perfect vacation choice as there are lots of Attraction which include: water park, mini zoo, play area and rides for kids, lake, picnic and garden areas. Set in a beautiful and serene environment, it?s a good spot for meditation, relaxation and entertainment.

Ventura Mall

Located at Samonda, Ventura mall is a cool place to unwind and relax. With lots facilities such as a game arcade where you can play interesting games, cinema where you get to watch the latest movies, food courts to satisfy your hunger, karaoke bar where you can sing your hearts out and shopping malls that answers to your needs.

Kokodome

Kokodome is a relaxation with a swimming pool, poolside bar, restaurant, terrace lounge, and nightclub located at Dugbe, Ibadan. It?s a nice spot to chill and relax.

IITA Forest Reserve

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the IITA Forest Reserve is a conservation centre which comprises of a land reservoir, eight lakes and ponds, wetlands, farmland and landscaped grounds, giving a rich diversity of habitats.

Trans Amusement Park

Also referred to as Trans Wonderland, the leisure park covers a total area of 67 acres with numerous attractions such as roller coasters, panoramic wheels, electronic bumper cars, ferry wheels, space stations, flying chairs, dragon boats and many others.