Top things to see and do in Oyo state

If you love adventure and ever find yourself in Oyo state, be sure to try any of the top things to see and do in the Pace Setter State.

Oyo state is in the South-Western part of Nigeria and is home to the first university in Nigeria, the first skyscraper in Africa and home to the city described by renowned poet, J.P. Clark, as "running splash of rust" because of its signature brown roofs. Here are the top things to see and do when in town.

1. See the seven wonders of Ado-Awaye

Ado-Awaye, a small mysterious town in Oyo state, is a fascinating town rich in history and culture. Ado-Awaye is quickly becoming the tourist's paradise due to its wide range of tourist attractions — from folklore to amazing mountains and plains, to mysterious rivers and lakes. It also holds one of the only two suspended lakes in the world, Iyake Lake. Agbómofúnyàké, Iya-Alaro, Ishage Rock are some of the many reasons Ado-Awaye is quickly becoming the tourist's paradise.

2. Go on an Amala tour

You cannot visit Oyo and not try out the different Amala spots in town. A piping hot plate of Amala, Ewedu and Gbegiri is just the signature feature you need to complete the story of your visit to Oyo. It is one of the foods worth travelling all the way to Nigeria for.

3. See the Bower Tower

The Bower Memorial Tower is a 60 feet tall tower located on the hill top of Oke Are in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo. It was built in honour of Captain Robert Lister Bower, the first British Resident in Ibadan, in 1936. The tower has about 47 spiral staircases and gives a panoramic view of the brown roofs of the whole city from its top.

4. Visit Agodi gardens

The haven of peace that is Agodi Gardens and Resort is for those who crave the quietness of solitude, picnics, a get-together with friends and family time out. It is located at the foot of Old Mokola Hill in Ibadan. It was formerly known as Agodi Zoological and Botanical Gardens that was created in 1967 before it was destroyed by a flood in 1980.

5. Hike through IITA Forest Reserve

The IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) is a 300-hectare land that seeks to preserve the natural resources of the forest in Oyo. It houses over 200 birds species, 220 butterfly species and 440 medicinal plants.

6. Picnic at the UI Zoological gardens

One of the best kept zoos in the country, the UI Zoological garden holds a wide variety of animals ranging from mammals to reptiles, amphibians and birds. It is located in the department of Zoology at the University of Ibadan and was established in 1948. It eventually expanded into a full-fledged museum in 1974. It is open every day of the week and costs N500 to gain entrance.

7. Visit the Irefin Palace

The ancient structure of the Irefin palace was built in 1902 and is made up of 185 rooms. It holds beautiful history of the people of Ibadan hence it has become one the major tourist attractions in Oyo.