Akwa Ibom is one of Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger delta States, as well as one of its developed states. It is known for its excellent highways that intimately network the entire State and its good facilities. Its Capital, Uyo, is an enchanting city reminiscent of the beauty that the entire State exudes. Akwa Ibom is home to over 5 million people and the predominant language is the Ibibio language.
Right now, Akwa Ibom is one of the top destination places in Nigeria for tourism and relaxation. It also has so many places which have historical connection to Nigeria’s independence. In your next travel to the Niger Delta state, you can check out 10 of these interesting places which we have shared in this article.
Ibeno Beach, Ibeno
In Eket, Akwa Ibom state, southern Nigeria, Ibeno Beach is one of the shorelines of the Atlantic Ocean.
This is the most popular tourist destination in Akwa Ibom State and one of the most popular beach and tourist destinations in Nigeria.The longest beach in west Africa, according to some estimates, is Ibeno Beach in Akwa Ibom. It stretches 45 kilometers from Ibeno to Jamestown.
The beach resort is breathtaking, with white sand dunes that are undisturbed by Atlantic Ocean waves. It is both gentle and turbulent depending on the season of the year. At low tide, the waters can recede as far as 100 metres from the beach and can reach an unimaginable elevation of 30 metres above sea level before it strikes the beach.
The soothing feel of its breeze coupled with the sound of the roaring waters makes Ibeno beach one place that is a must visit for everyone. Saturday and Sunday are the busiest times here. Some other side attractions here include a boat and horse ride, football, and lots of music playing from sound speakers by a standby DJ.
Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is an all-seater national sports stadium located in Uyo, the state capital of Akwa Ibom. When Julius Berger created and built the stadium in 2014, it was based it on Bayern Munich’s home field.
The stadium serves as a home to the Nigerian Super Eagles as well as a centre for various social, cultural, and religious events. Facilities in the stadium includes: 30,000 capacity covered main bowl, Bullet Proof VVIP/VIP areas, Box office, Media facilities, Two scoreboards that comprise electronic scoreboard and video facilities for replays, Floodlights, Eight-lane 400m standard track, Warm-up facility with six-lane 400m track, 7,500 seater Grand Stand, Ambulance bay etc.
Akwa United, a professional football team and one of the biggest teams in the Nigerian Premier League, plays its home games at the Akwa Ibom international stadium.
Ibom Plaza, Uyo
Ibom Plaza, the center of Uyo, is a common metaphor. It is a tourism destination that the then-governor established in 2001. It features a seating area modeled after a gothic Greco-Roman arena and a massive raised screen for football and other sports enthusiasts to watch satellite broadcasts on.
The plaza is a beautiful art-piece with sparkling walkways, and strategically located park seats and a landscape displaying a selection of uniquely beautiful flowers which gives it an exotic outlook. It was constructed to offer relaxation to both residents and visitors.
Ibom plaza presently occupies the former independent square, the site formerly occupied by the British flag; the Union Jack. It is also responsible for the growing nightlife in Uyo. It also serves as a venue for important State and private functions like marriage receptions among others.
Amalgamation House, Ikot Abasi
Amalgamation House is a cottage which Lord Lugard declared the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria in 1914. It was once the administrative headquarters of the southern protectorate. The Amalgamation House also doubled as the building in which General Olusegun Obasanjo (the former commanding officer of the Nigerian Army) and General Phillip Effiong of the Biafran Army signed the declaration of cease-fire that ended the Nigerian civil war in January 1970.
The amalgamation house which is located in Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom state, has become a top tourist spot in the state. Opposite the Amalgamation House is another historic place to visit, Lord Luggard’s Residence.
Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, Uyo
Ibom Tropicana is a top-notch resort that was skilfully designed for both business and leisure. It is one of the best places to visit in this state
It features a five-star hotel, shopping malls, a cinema, a convention centre, dry and wet parks; there is a 6 screen cineplex here too.
Irrespective of the reason you are in Akwa Ibom, business or pleasure, Ibom Tropicana entertainment centre is always open to meet your needs.
The Ibom Tropicana is similar to the popular destinations such as Disneyland in the USA and Sun City in South Africa.
Oron Museum, Oron
Oron Museum is a museum located in Oron, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. When the museum was established in 1958, it had 800 recognized ancestral figures of the Oron people, some of the best and oldest wood carvings still extant in Africa.The museum suffered significant damage during the civil war, and many of the wood carvings were stolen.
Following its reopening in 1975, the museum now houses the remaining wooden sculptures as well as other ethnographic artifacts from all around Nigeria. Additionally, it has a large collection of artworks, antique instruments, and masquerade costumes. The museum also has displays of bunkers used during the civil war as well as a crafts village.
This museum will help your knowledge of Efik history come alive. If you are a fan of arts, next time you are in Akwa Ibom, make it a duty to visit the Oron museum.
Ibom eLibrary, Uyo
If you have never been to a digital library, then a visit to Ibom e-library is non-negotiable. The first and largest digital library in all of West Africa, the Ibom e-library is located in Uyo.
This educational facility features a state-of-the-art video conferencing room, an e-learning area with e-testing capabilities and certification initiatives, board and meeting rooms that are available for lease, temporary office space, a daycare facility, a smart classroom, and a reprography unit.
This place will add to the extra spice to your visit to Akwa-Ibom. It was built by Godswill Akpabio and commissioned by Goodluck Jonathan.
Le Meridien Ibom Golf Resort, Uyo
Raffia City Plaza, Ikot Ekpene
Raffia city plaza is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ikot Ekpene. It is located in the commercial city of Ikot Ekpene. Raffia City plaza holds and preserves the cultural heritage of the anang people- the second largest ethnic group in AKWA IBOM STATE. These include shoes, chairs, drums, and several other cultural artifacts made of raffia.
The park is a great place to relax with a lot of trees. It’s so serene you couldn’t even tell it’s right in the middle of the road. It overlooks the Four Points Hotel. There are several vendors selling food and drinks, there are sitting areas, a playground for kids and a fountain that no longer works.
It is convenient for groups or solo hangouts. There’s no entrance fee, so it’s free for all. This plaza is not just a place to get affordable stuff, it is also a place where children can have fun while the adults do the shopping. Raffia city plaza features a football viewing centre and a place to see movies.
Discovery Park, Uyo
The discovery Park is set as a park, combining a natural setting with contemporary provision of recreational services. It is an open air park, with green gardens, sittings and bars, barbecue stand, and event centres
Located along Udo Udoma avenue, Uyo, akwa Ibom state, it is adequate for small groups, informal meetings and group picnics.This park is a perfect place to hang out with your old friends and also meet new people. Discovery Park is open from 8 am to 11 pm during the week and 1 pm to 11 pm on Sundays.
Ibom Unity Park, Uyo
Ibom Unity Park is the biggest recreational park in Akwa Ibom and one of the biggest in Nigeria. It is a large expanse of land that stretches from Nsikak Eduok area to Udo-Udoma Avenue.
The park, which was created as a place of entertainment, also acts as a memorial for fallen soldiers and other heroes. Unity Park, sometimes referred to as Cenotaph by the locals, is a popular gathering place for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony as well as a place for picnics, video and photo shoots, and other events. The park has numerous bars, a small gallery for artists, and miniature ponds surrounded by palm palms.
The park can host over 20 wedding receptions at a time. Additionally, it can be utilized for church crusades and for video and photo shoots, birthday parties, picnics, leisure, and picnics.
The park is also known as the place for Akwa Ibom’s Christmas celebration, known as the Christmas Village.
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