From Construction Sites to Skyscrapers: The Rise of Abuja
Abuja is the modern federal capital of Nigeria, built in the late seventies following the decision to move the “first city” of the country to a neutral zone after the bloody Biafra War. However, it must be noted that its construction is still ongoing, with construction sites open in every corner of the city, and many ministries and public offices still located in the old capital, Lagos. Being a city of just over thirty years, it obviously does not have a significant history or ancient buildings to visit, but those who pass through here can certainly decide to relax and stroll through its streets while doing some shopping.
Urban Layout and Key Features
The main roads, wide and modern, are strictly parallel in the central area of Abuja and are surprisingly intersected by two highways, respectively near the financial district and the Presidential Palace. As mentioned, there are few places of tourist interest due to the lack of historical attractions, and unfortunately, the imposing national mosque is inaccessible to non-believers. Among the curiosities, we can mention the building of the Ministry of Defense, called “Ship House” for its boat-like shape, and Millennium Park, where the Millennium Tower was built, standing at 170 meters as the tallest building in all of Nigeria.
Nearby Cities Worth Visiting
If you decide to venture on a visit to the relatively nearby Jos, just three hours away by minibus (for Nigerian distances, this is really little), you can discover a pleasant city with over one and a half million inhabitants located on a panoramic plateau at 1,200 meters above sea level. Here, temperatures are cool and life appears calm, although in January 2011 there were heavy clashes, with numerous deaths, between Christians and Muslims. In Jos, you can visit the Jos National Museum, which houses a variety of exhibits, or the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture, the latter with free admission.
Further Exploration: Bauchi and Yankari National Park
Remaining in the central area of the country, but a further two hours away—therefore five hours by bus from Abuja—stands Bauchi, which in turn offers no particular attractions other than the mausoleum dedicated to former Nigerian Prime Minister Tafewa Balewa. However, Bauchi serves as a logistical base for visiting Yankari National Park, located relatively close as the crow flies but poorly connected to the city, partly due to terrible road conditions. From Bauchi, some vehicles occasionally leave for the national park, taking about five hours to complete the journey. Once you reach Yankari, the safari activities vary from observing the fantastic local fauna (from lions to elephants, from monkeys to buffaloes) as well as, for enthusiasts, birdwatching. During the dry season, from December to April, you can spot the animals while they drink from the Gaji River. Alternatively, or possibly in addition to the safari, you can’t miss the opportunity to take a bath in Wikki Warm Spring, in the lake created by the spring water that flows here at a constant temperature of 31°C all year round.
Transportation and Logistics
Abuja Nnamdi-Azikwe Airport is located 40 kilometers west of the capital and is well connected to Lagos daily by several local airlines, as well as offering daily flights to other major cities (Kano, Calabar, and Port Harcourt). Connections to Europe are available via London and Frankfurt with a certain weekly frequency, while flights from Paris and Amsterdam are more irregular. A taxi from the airport to Abuja costs 3,500 naira, a fixed rate that corresponds to around 15-20 euros (depending on the exchange rate). In the stadium area, there is the Jabi Motor Park public transport terminal, from which buses, minibuses, and taxis depart for every area of the city and the country.
