The Historic City of Abeokuta, Nigeria

by Dubem Nwokike

Abeokuta is the capital city of Ogun State, Nigeria. It is located in the southwestern part of the city, near Lagos and Ibadan. and has a population of over a million people.

Abeokuta has been described as having “one of Nigeria’s most beautiful cities”, owing to its sandy beaches along its coastline which extend for about 25 kilometers.

Tourism

Abeokuta is a popular tourist destination in Nigeria. It is the second largest city in the state of Lagos and one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. Located on the shores of Lake Oye-Abeokuta, Abeokuta has plenty to offer visitors including vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and historical sites that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The city’s attractions include:

  • Oke-Odo Island National Park – this park protects endangered species like white rhinos while offering excellent views over Lake Oye-Abeokuta; it also offers opportunities for swimming or kayaking among some spectacular scenery!
  • Eko Hotel & Resort – this resort features luxury accommodation with its own private beachfront as well as several swimming pools where guests can cool off during summer months when temperatures are high (around 30 degrees Celsius). If you’re looking for something more exciting than lounging around pools then consider visiting Eko Falls which drops down from Mount Ikotun into Lake Oye-Abeokuta below before turning into rapids before it reaches another body of water called Abongolo Lagoon (“Lagoon” being plural form meaning “lake”).

Population

The population of Abeokuta is estimated at 1 million people, with a growth rate of 3%. That’s not as high as Lagos or Kano (with 4.5% and 3% respectively), but it’s still pretty impressive for a city so small.

Abeokuta has a population density of 2,000 people per square mile, which means that every square foot has about 20 residents in it. That may not sound like much compared to some other cities—but when you consider that the entire country only has 50 million people total and only 5% live in urban areas like Abeokuta (and even fewer actually live in the city proper), this level of density becomes more apparent.

The distribution of Abeokta’s population is quite diverse: 40% are male while 60% are female; there are also plenty who belong to different ethnic groups; religion plays an important role too: Christianity accounts for 40%, Islam makes up another 30%, while other religions make up another 10%. As far as education goes though…it turns out there aren’t any studies on this topic yet!

History – Name Origin

The name “Abeokuta” is derived from the Egba phrase “Ebe ‘Okutu”, which means “the place where the king resides”. This was because of a long history of Yoruba kings ruling over this region. However, it wasn’t until 1802 that Abeokuta became an independent kingdom under Oba Oyatogun Akenzein (1767-1802).

The people who founded Abeokuta were originally from Ijebu, which is located in southwestern Nigeria. They were forced to leave their homes due to conflict with other tribes and settle in different areas across Yorubaland as well as other parts of Africa such as Ghana & Cameroon

Olumo Rock

Olumo Rock is a sacred site to the Yoruba people. It is located in Ogun State, Nigeria, and has been a pilgrimage site for them since ancient times. The Yoruba people believe that this rocky outcrop holds great spiritual power and can only be reached by walking on its surface with their eyes closed so as not to see what lies ahead of them.

The rock formation was formed over 300 million years ago when limestone was being laid down by marine organisms such as corals, brachiopods (a type of shellfish), mollusks (clams or snails), and sea stars who lived at that time when there were no mammals yet existed on Earth!

Alake Palace Museum

Alake Palace Museum is the official residence of the Olubadan of the city of Abeokuta. It was built in 1892 by the British colonial government and is a National Monument. The building was originally a palace for the Alake and his wives, but it now houses artifacts from all over Nigeria.

The museum covers an area of about 2 hectares (5 acres) and houses 2 floors: 1st Floor contains galleries that showcase African artworks dating back to ancient times; 2nd Floor has displays on traditional lifestyles in present-day Nigeria.

Plenty of things to see and do in the region.

The region is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Lagos. There are plenty of things to see and do in the region, so if you’re planning on coming here, make sure that your time is well spent.

The Olumo Rock is an important sacred site for the Yoruba people who live in Abeokuta, Nigeria. This ancient limestone rock formation has been used as an altar since times immemorial by various ethnic groups who lived there before European colonization began in about 1500 AD (before then). Today it remains one of their most important religious sites because it’s dedicated specifically toward remembrance or worshiping ancestors or deities who died long ago—and thus gives them solace during times when they need spiritual guidance most urgently! People come here regularly today too; however, since this area has become increasingly crowded with visitors over recent years due to its popularity among tourists visiting nearby cities such as Lagos itself where many people go during holidays like Christmas Eve which occurs each year around December 25th each year–then there might be some lines outside some places near here depending upon how busy they are going into next week sometime soon after New Year’s Eve ends tonight so make sure not get stuck behind someone else standing outside waiting patiently until opening hours begin again tomorrow morning before sunrise…

Abeokuta is a great place for visitors who want to explore Africa’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. There are many beautiful places within the city limits, from the Alake Palace Museum which houses the largest collection of African art in Africa to the waterfalls within walking distance of the city center so visitors can enjoy some relaxing time while enjoying nature at its finest!

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