Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Ibadan literally means “between the forest and the plain,” and was once the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa, though more recently it has been overtaken by Lagos in terms of population. It is arguably the largest in terms of area, however, at 128 sq km. Though it’s got four million people and counting, it still retains the feeling of a small town, leading some to deem it “the biggest village in the world.”
Ibadan is known colloquially as “the brown city,” stemming from the rusted corrugated iron roofs of the single and two-story buildings that make up the majority of the city, and the reddish-brown earth it is built on. Ibadan also serves as the capital of Oyo State, and as such, the population is predominantly Yoruba. The city covers over 400 square kilometers, and whilst less dense than Lagos, and with noticeably more older/colonial buildings, Ibadan’s urban sprawl has significantly outgrown the original seven hills that characterised the city.
There is little in the way of real attractions in Ibadan, nor is there a real centre, though Dugbe contains the greatest concentration of banks and shops. For those keen on exploring Ibadan’s cultural roots, the National Museum of Unity is worth a visit. For a wider selection of goods, you may also want to try the Craft Centre at 75 Lekan Salami shopping complex at the back of the Adamasingba Stadium. Another interesting cultural attraction is Bode Market in Malete. It’s one of the largest traditional medicine markets in West Africa, with traders from many neighbouring countries making the long journey.
Ibadan is not known for swank or even stylish hotels. There are a couple of high-end establishments that cater to international clientele, but most hotels are utilitarian at best, crumbling at worst. Aside from hotel restaurants, which are generally of a good standard, Ibadan has very few restaurants where it is possible to dine in a relaxed, semi-formal environment. The majority of eateries are either fast food establishments, or local joints serving variations on pounded yams and stew.
SAFETY: Ibadan is one of the safest cities in Nigeria, both in terms of street crime (there’s very little) and terrorism (non-existent). Aside from women needing to be careful if walking alone at night, the only other thing to fear is those who may try to separate a naive foreigner from their money. Beware overly friendly Nigerians who may be up to some sort of confidence scam.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Ibadan literally means “between the forest and the plain,” and was once the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa, though more recently it has been overtaken by Lagos in terms of …