Day 6: Lagos City Tour
After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour of Lagos, starting with the NCF Lekki Conservation Centre, a place where nature meets nurture—a must-see for every visitor to Lagos. Upon entering the Centre, you will experience the serene atmosphere of a nature reserve, providing a peaceful contrast to the bustling life of the city. A walk on the boardwalk and Skywalk Canopy offers nature at its best, including monkeys and beautiful birds. You will also see the pond, home to a variety of fish species. The remoteness of the reserve creates a perfect environment for bonding with nature.
Next, we will proceed to the Lekki International Craft Market, where you can browse handmade arts and crafts. The market offers a variety of souvenirs to choose from. Afterward, continue to the Nike Art Gallery & Cultural Centre, housed in a purpose-built five-storey structure with an adjoining café. It is the largest private art gallery in West Africa, featuring an extensive collection of over 10,000 pieces of artwork by various contemporary Nigerian artists. You will have the chance to interact with the proprietress, Nike (if available), an internationally renowned female textile designer.
We will then visit the National Museum of Lagos, located in Onikan, Lagos Island. This museum is one of the 53 outlets of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria. The museum houses a vast collection that spans more than 8,000 years of Nigerian history, including artifacts from Nok, Benin, Ife, Igbo-Ukwu, Owo, Nupe, Ibibio, and many others. Highlights of the collection include traditional musical instruments such as sansas, fiddles, and flutes, as well as divination bowls and ancestral wooden figures. The museum also features Ekpo masks from Calabar and Gẹlẹdẹ wooden masks, which are central to various cultural rituals.
The next stop is the Brazilian Quarters, where you will visit the Brazilian Architecture Church, built by the Brazilians who returned to Nigeria between 1830 and 1850. This historic church is one of the last remaining buildings with its original ancient structure. Afterward, we will visit Tinubu Square, a monument to the famous female Efunroye Tinubu, a powerful Yoruba aristocrat, merchant, and slave trader in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria. She later advocated for the abolition of the slave trade in Lagos Island. We will also see the Lagos National Mosque and the popular Balogun Market.
Next, we will visit the Kalakuta Republic Museum, which highlights the life of the legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Kuti. Opened in 2012, the museum is located at the property that served as Kuti’s residence from the 1970s until his passing in 1997. Fela is buried in a mausoleum on the grounds. You will have the opportunity to see his preserved bedroom, along with other artifacts and exhibits related to his life. On the ground floor, you will find a souvenir shop filled with memorabilia, from clothing to gift items and CD compilations of Fela’s music.
The rest of the day will be leisurely.
Overnight: Lagos Intercontinental Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel
