Touring Nigeria’s capital cities

Calabar The town was originally known as; ‘Atakpa’ from the Jukun words ‘Ata’ and ‘Akpa’ which metamorphosed to ‘Calabah’ with the coming of the British who pronounced it as such though the spelling remained ‘Calabar’. As far back as the 16th century, Calabar was a recognised international sea port, shipping out goods such as palm […]

Calabar

The town was originally known as; ‘Atakpa’ from the Jukun words ‘Ata’ and ‘Akpa’ which metamorphosed to ‘Calabah’ with the coming of the British who pronounced it as such though the spelling remained ‘Calabar’.

As far back as the 16th century, Calabar was a recognised international sea port, shipping out goods such as palm oil.

During the Atlantic slave trade, it became a major port for the exportation of African slaves with eighty five percent of the ships which docked at its shores bringing in Bristol and Liverpool merchants.

The town served as the capital of the Rivers Protectorate from 1885-1893, and capital of the Niger coast Protectorate from 1893-1900 before eventually becoming the capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate from 1900 to 1906 after which the British administrative headquarters moved to Lagos in 1914.

Calabar is the present capital of Cross River State now famous for its month-long yearly Christmas activities climaxed by the carnival which draws millions to the ancient town every year end.

Lagos

Originating on islands separated by creeks and ranks next to Cairo as one of the largest cities in Africa, Eko as it is referred to in the Yoruba language, was the capital of Nigeria from 1914 to 1991.

From 1404 to 1889, it served as a major center for slave trade with most of the activities going on in Badagry.

Lagos existed on its own as a colony from 1861 until the amalgamation of the Lagos colony with the Northern and Southern Protectorates. In 1914, Lagos became the capital of the new Nigerian nation.

Over time, its population has grown as well as the need for expansion. As a result of the overstretched infrastructure the government was prompted to look elsewhere in Nigeria to site a new Capital City which brought about the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in 1991. In spite of this Lagos is still regarded as the hub of activities in Nigeria. So much has been said about the multi-dimensional city which many want to come in contact with even if only for the fact to say that they have seen Lagos.

Almost on a daily basis, there are different art, entertainment and cultural events which draw attention from all over the world with the most famous being the recently concluded Eyo masquerade festival.

Lokoja

Following the Royal Niger Company’s surrender of its charter to the British Crown in 1899 and the subsequent creation of the Northern Protectorate, Lokoja assumed the status of the capital of the Northern Protectorate.

Sir Lord Fredrick Lugard was sworn in as the first Governor General as Lokoja remained a convenient administrative town for the British Colonial government after the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates into one nation called Nigeria in 1914.

It is a trade centre for its predominantly agricultural region of the north in view of its perimeter states as a confluence.

Lokoja is currently the capital of Kogi State with what used to be the office of Lord Lugard now housing the state’s governor’s office.

Today, Lokoja is a popular stop and connecting point for travellers form the North, South, East and West of Nigeria apart from the fact that many troupe en mass to see the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue.

Zungeru

Zungeru located in present day Niger state, became the capital of the British colony in Northern Nigeria from 1902 until 1916 and is located on the Kaduna River. Sir Lord Fredrick Lugard, the then Northern Protectorate governor who chose the town as capital of Northern Nigeria over Jebba and Lokoja due to its central location, moved the capital to Kaduna because of the harsh weather in Zungeru.

It is the birth place of foremost nationalist, Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Kaduna

Kaduna was founded by the British in 1913 and became the capital of Nigeria’s former Northern Region in 1917. It retained this status until 1967.

Kaduna is symbolised by the crocodile called Kada in Hausa language.

The crocodile town became a turning point in the history of urbanization and Metropolitan Protectorate of Nigeria. It was to serve as a convenient capital for the West African Frontier Force (WAFF), as well as the administrative capital of the Northern Protectorate of Nigeria.

The city is located on the River Kaduna and is the capital of Kaduna State. The main ethnic tribes in Kaduna State are Hausa, Gwari, Kataf and Bajju.

It is tourist attractions include Babinda Tourist Transit Camp, Kangimi Dam Holiday Resort, Matsirga Waterfalls Holiday Village Kafanchan, Nok Museum and Zaria Dam Holiday Resort.

The state is also home to an European castle in Africa, Kajuru Castle, built in 1978 by a German expatriate living in Kaduna. The style is very European and clearly German with a baronial hall, complete with suits of armour. It has dungeon-style bedrooms and towers with crenulated walls.