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Welcome to a place of firsts – Oyo Nigeria

What can you expect of Oyo? Oyo is in the south west geopolitical region in Nigeria. It has a population of over 5 million people predominately of the Yoruba tribe. The landmass is over 28,000 square kilometers. The landscape is made up of lots of hard formed rocks and semi shaped dome hills.

 Taking a drive through the old parts of Ibadan allows you see firsthand how hilly the city is and how houses are built around rocks.
 I think the first thing that comes to mind for me when I think of Oyo is the University of Ibadan. Maybe it’s because two of my siblings studied in UI as it is fondly called. Or perhaps because it is one of the oldest and most prestigious institution of education in Nigeria.
University of Ibadan was founded in 1948 as a college of the university of London. It became an autonomous institution in 1962. When I learnt I would visit this institution during one of its convocation ceremonies, my excitement doubled because it meant I would also experience a lot of traditional music.  

I have called Oyo a place of firsts because alongside the University of Ibadan, it is also home to one of the first TV stations in Africa NTA Ibadan, one of the first Skyscraper Cocoa house and the oldest stadium in Nigeria formerly known as Liberty Stadium now known as Obafemi Awolowo Stadium. The first African Bishop a formal Slave boy Samuel Ajayi Crowther who translated the bible to Yoruba Language is from Oyo.

A visit to Oyo affords you interactions with the Yoruba tradition (markets, festivals, music, food), history of education in Nigeria and beautiful landscapes starting from forests, rivers, rock formations and elevations.

During my 3 days in Oyo I was able to visit the following places
Ibadan
    ✓ Mapo Hall
    ✓ Bowers Tower
    ✓ National Museum of Unity 
    ✓ Zoological Garden UI (Zoo)
   ✓ Agodi park/Gardens

   Iseyin
    ✓ Ado Awaye suspended lake
   ✓ Asoke Weavers

Oyo
   ✓ Alaafin's Palace Oyo

Other recommended places that we didn’t make it to in Oyo are - Igbetti hills, IITA forest, Old Oyo National Park. Some prominent festivals in Oyo include Beere festival the ceremonial cutting and bringing home of thatch grass from fields,. The festival is held in February.  Sango, Oke Ibadan, Egungun, Igunnuko, Gelede, Yemoja and New yam festival are also festivals to look out for.

Do enjoy your visit of Oyo – yours truly Liesel81




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