Nigeria is a beautiful country that is endowed with human and natural resources. These mineral resources in Nigeria have contributed to the economic growth of the country but apart from that, there are certain rocks that make for good tourist destinations in the country, quite a good number of them stand out and the proceeds from touring them adds significantly to the economy. In this article, we have compiled a list of top 10 major rocks in Nigeria and where they are located. Feel free to peruse through and get information about the most popular rocks in Nigeria.
TOP 10 MAJOR ROCKS IN NIGERIA AND WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED
The following are the top 10 major popular rocks in Nigeria and their locations.
ASO ROCK
Aso Rock is a very popular rock in Nigeria, this major rock is sometimes confused to be Zuma rock but they are not the same. The rock is a large outcrop of granitic rock situated in the outer parts of the city of Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. Aso Rock is a 400-metre (1,300 ft) prominent monolith with a peak height of 936-metre (3,071 ft) above sea level and it is one of Abuja’s most noticeable landmarks. The Nigerian Presidential Complex, Nigerian National Assembly, and Nigerian Supreme Court are situated around it, this is why the Presidential Villa is sometimes referred to as “Aso Rock”. The rock is native to the Asokoro people, “Aso” meaning “Victorious”.
OLUMO ROCK
Olumo Rock is another major popular rock in Nigeria, it is a mountain located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and it is one of the most widely visited tourist destinations in Nigeria, most especially in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country. Historically, the rock was used as a natural fortress for the Egbas during inter-tribal warfare in the 19th century. Its patron spirit is venerated in the Yoruba religion as an orisha. Olumo Rock is annually celebrated with lots of sacrifices. Olumo Rock has a height of 137 metres above sea level from which you can view the Ogun River.
ZUMA ROCK
Zuma Rock arguably the most popular rock in Nigeria. It is located in Niger State and is very visible as you approach Abuja. The major rock in the country is often confused to be Aso Rock and it is so important that it appears on the One Hundred Naira note of the Nigerian currency. Zuma rock is a large monolith, an igneous intrusion composed of gabbro and granodiorite. The rock rises breathtakingly immediately west of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, along the main road from Abuja to Kaduna off Madala, and is often credited as being the “Gateway to Abuja from Suleja”. Zuma Rock rises 725 metres (2,379 ft) above its surroundings and it was used for a defensive retreat by the Gbagyi people against invading neighbouring tribes during intertribal warring.
WASE ROCK
Wase Rock is another major popular rock in the country and it is located in Plateau State, North-Central, Nigeria. This popular rock is one of the few rocks in the country that is volcanic in nature and it ranks among the five available breeding grounds in the whole of Africa where the Rossy White Pelican Birds breed. The surrounding area of the Wase rock, about 321 hectares (790 acres) of land is under the protection of the Plateau State Government protects as a bird and wildlife sanctuary. Wase rock got its name from Wase Town in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State and it can be found near the town. The rock has a height of about 350 metres (1,150 ft) above sea level. It is a massive dome shaped rocky inselberg which is one out of only five in the world.
RIYOM ROCK
Located in Riyom town, Jos, Plateau State, the Riyom rock which is also regarded as the Three Rocks, is an unusual rock formation in the middle belt of the country. This beautiful major rock in Nigeria is a sight to behold due to its uniquely arranged rocks masterfully laid one on top another to provide an amazing view. The arrangement of the Riyom rock has been that way for thousands of years and it is one of the most breathtaking rocks in Nigeria. Riyom rock is a natural gallery that displays one of the largest rock sculptures on the African continent.
GIBADI ROCK
Gibadi rock is popular rock in the northern part of the country and it takes its place in this list of major rocks in Nigeria and rightfully so. This natural wonder is one of the major landmarks in Sokoto State, northern Nigeria and it serves as an important tourist attraction site which helps generate revenue for the State.
UDI HILLS
Udi Hills, also known as Ugwueme and Udi hills, is situated in Enugu State, South-Eastern part of Nigeria. The hills are very popular major rocks in the country which stand at 100 metres above sea level and serves as an important tourist destination in the State. The Udi hills attracted a British expedition team in 1908 on its way from Awka to the Middle Belt area of the country, and the British colonial government to Nigeria sent a team of mining engineers in 1909 to Enugu to explore it and its surrounding area for silver. On their arrival, they found coal instead and settled in Ngwo at the top of Milliken Hill. Udi hills was the site for the first coal mine to be opened in Nigeria but was closed two years later and replaced with the Iva Valley mine.
SHERE HILLS
The Shere Hills are a range of undulating hills and rock formations on the Jos Plateau, located about 10 km east of the Jos metropolis, the capital of Plateau State in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. The Hills are characterized by many high peaks, with the highest peak towering to a height of about 1,829 m or 6,001 ft above sea level, the Shere Hills are the highest point of the Jos Plateau and they form the third highest point in Nigeria after Chappal Waddi on the Mambilla Plateau averaging about 2,419 m or 7,936 ft above sea level and Mount Dimlang (Vogel peak) on the Shebshi Mountains reaching a height of about 2,042 m or 6,699 ft above sea level.
KAZAURE HILL
Kazaure Hill is located in Kazaure, an ancient city in Jigawa State, Northern Nigeria. The inhabitants of the surrounding valleys of the hills are farmers. Kazaure city has been since 1819 the headquarters of Kazaure Emirate. The city’s history can be traced to Dan Tunku, a Fulani warrior who was one of the 14 flag bearers for Usman dan Fodio.
KUFENA HILLS
Kufena Hills is located in Zaria, Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. Kufena hills is made up of metamorphic rocks which form the base material at the core of the earth’s major continental masses. The landscape’s diverse ecosystem, flora and fauna and various landforms make the hills and its environs outstanding. Kufena Hills was declared a National Monument on 17th July 1956. It is one of the four National Monuments declared in Kaduna State and is protected under Act of Parliament, Cap 242 of 2000 formerly (Decree 77 of 1979) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which established the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
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