Asaba

Asaba combines a rich film history with leisure activities at Maryam Babangida Leisure Park and historic memorial sites. If you’re looking for a hotel in Asaba, these themes may help you decide which experiences to include in your travel plans: film culture, a visit to the park, or the city’s history. The following places and connections can help you distinguish between these areas of interest.

Park, Lighthouse and Activities

Maryam Babangida Leisure Park features a ten-storey lighthouse with a total height of 36 metres. The building houses an exhibition gallery and a restaurant. Its dimensions make it a distinctive architectural landmark in the park; the gallery and restaurant add exhibition and dining options to the leisure facilities.

The zoo area of the park is home to more than 70 animals representing over 50 species. Animal and species counts may change over time. Alongside the lighthouse, the park offers a dedicated attraction for visitors interested in animals.

Pedal boats are available on the lake in the park and are considered suitable for all age groups. Check with the operator before your visit for current availability. Maryam Babangida Leisure Park’s Prime Ticket includes kayaking. As ticket inclusions may change, check current availability and what is included in advance.

Film History and Film Village

Asaba has a rich history of film production. The city established Nigeria’s first Film Village and is considered its home. Asaba is also regarded as a centre of Nollywood, one of Africa’s leading entertainment industries in terms of production output and economic importance. In December 2023, Asaba was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Film.

The Film Village is associated with international film conferences and international artist-in-residence programmes. It is regarded as an institution that identifies and supports local talent. Together, these connections paint a picture of Asaba that encompasses both film production and the support of local talent. When planning your trip, it is worth considering Asaba’s cultural side as a distinct focus alongside visits to the park and historic memorial sites.

Monuments in Asaba

The Ojife Monument stands at the Federal Medical Centre Roundabout in Asaba’s West-end district. The Ojife statue commemorates Princess Ojife, Nnebisi’s only daughter and the founder of Asaba. The Ekumeku statue is located at the Inter-BUA Roundabout in Asaba and is considered historically significant to the Anioma. The two statues highlight different aspects: the Ojife Monument relates to an individual and Asaba’s founding history, while the Ekumeku statue relates to the history of the Anioma.

History in Asaba within the wider destination of Oshimili South

Within the wider destination of Oshimili South, other historical connections in Asaba take centre stage. Mungo Park House is a two-storey wooden building constructed in 1886 by the Royal Niger Company and the Lander brothers. That same year, the Royal Niger Company made Asaba its headquarters. The house is located in the present-day central business district on the site of the former Royal Niger Company and is now part of the National Museum Asaba. The museum’s collection includes mementos and artefacts from Asaba’s past. Mungo Park House thus combines architectural history with a collection related to the city’s past.

Also in Asaba, the Asaba Massacre Memorial Monument commemorates the more than 1,000 men and boys killed in Asaba during the Nigerian Civil War. This memorial site adds a distinct historical connection to the architectural and collection history. Together, the topics described offer different points of interest for your travel plans: film culture, leisure in the park, and the history of Asaba.

For the wider travel overview: Oshimili South.