Did you know there are over 15 zoos in Nigeria? Over the years, zoos have become popular in Nigeria. With the Introduction of both private and public zoos scattered all over the country. You can now see those exotic animals that you can only watch on TV. This post focuses on the list of zoos in Nigeria.
Definition of a zoo
A zoo is a place where wild animals are kept either for entertainment, research, or educational purpose. Zoos are man-made habitat built to house wildlife. These sanctuaries serve as a shelter for endangered animals, rescued animals and also as conservation.
This post will be listing the zoos in Nigeria, their location and a little history about them.
Guides to Visiting Zoos In Nigeria
- Dress smart, wear something comfortable. Sometimes it may involve hiking or walk around the facility.
- Visit the zoo early so you can leave early. This is because some zoos in Nigeria are sited far from the main city.
- Hold cash, most of the zoos in Nigeria do not accept transfers or have POS machines.
- Do not feed the animals. Some zoos provide treats you can use to feed animals. Most zoos in Nigeria prohibits feeding animals with food brought from home.
- Always follow the tour guide instructions. In the case where there is no tour guide read the instructions.
- For your well being, Go with snacks and water. Some zoo does not have places where you could get some of these items.
- Do not disturb the animals. Also, do not throw objects at the animals. List of Zoos in Nigeria
The following are the list of zoos in Nigeria and their location. This list contains both public and private zoos in Nigeria, the state in which it is located and the year it was established.
List of Zoos in Nigeria
- The University of Ilorin Zoo, Ilorin, Kwara State – 1984
- Audu Bako Zoo, Kano – 1971
- University of Ibadan Zoo, Ibadan Oyo State 1948
- Abuja Children’s Park and Zoo, Abuja 2001
- Jos Museum Zoo, Jos, Plateua State 1945
- Ogba Zoo and Nature Park, Benin City, Edo State 1980
- Omu Resort Zoo
- Port Harcourt Zoo, Rivers State – 1974
- OOPL Wildlife Park
- Imo State Zoological garden
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Zoological Park, Abeokuta 2012
- Agodi Garden Zoo
- Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Maiduguri
- Origin Garden Zoo, Ikorodu, Lagos
- Nekede Zoo Owerri, Imo State 1976
- QBrat Zoos and Gardens, Badagry Lagos 2012
- Ahmadu Bello University Zoo, Zaria 1967
- Agodi Garden and Zoo, Ibadan, Oyo State 1967
- Obafemi Awolowo University Botanical Garden, Ile Ife, Osun State 1968
- Calabar Zoo, Cross River State 1970
- Sanda Kyarimi Park, Maiduguri, Borno State 1971
- Botanical Garden, Enugu 1971
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka Zoo, 1972
- Zoo Park, Port Harcourt, Rivers State 1974
- Jos Wildlife Park 1975
- Kano State Zoo, Kano State 1976
- Makurdi Zoo, Benue State 1976
- Gombe State University Zoo, Gombe State 2007
- Origin Garden Zoo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, 2008
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Zoological Park, Abeokuta 2012
- Prof Afolayan Wildlife Park, Akure. Federal University of Technology, Akure 2012
The University of Ilorin Zoo. Kwara State
The University of Ilorin is one of the popular zoos in Nigeria. It is located inside the University of Ilorin campus. The zoo is managed by the Zoological department of the University of Ilorin. The zoo boasts of exotic animals like African civet cats, giraffe, monkeys, chimpanzees, donkey, leopard, crown crane, horses, eagle, mongoose, camel, ostrich etc. The University of Ilorin Zoo was launched in 1984.
Audu Bako Zoo Kano State
Audu Bako Zoo is located in Kano state, it is one of the oldest zoos in Nigeria. It has been in existence since 1971. It sits on 46 hectares of land with over 150 species of animals ranging from Elephants, giraffe, monkeys, bird, lion etc. The zoo is also known as the Gidan Zoo. Audu Bako zoo is one of the biggest zoos in Nigeria. The zoo officially opened on 13th November 1972. It was built by Audu Bako, the first Military Governor of Kano state. The zoo is managed by the Kano State Zoological and Wildlife Management (KAZOWMA). The zoo opens Mondays to Sundays between 9 am and 6 pm.
Some of the animals at Audu Bako Zoo include Lion, Zebra, Hippopotamus, Elephant, Camels, Snakes, Giraffes, hyenas, Ostrich, Antelopes, Goats, Crocodiles etc.
The entry fee is 100 Naira for Adults and 50 Naira for children. Audu Bako zoo is located along Zoo Road in Kano State, Nigeria.
University of Ibadan Zoological Garden
The University of Ibadan Zoo is another animal packed zoo in Nigeria. It was converted into a full-fledged zoo in 1974. It sits on 10 hectares of land. Ibadan zoo as it is often called is located inside the University of Ibadan campus.
The zoo is divided into 6 sections namely the Reptile, Avian, Carnivore, Herbivore Primate and small animals. The zoo opens Mondays to Sundays between 8 am and 4 pm.
Gate fee to the zoo is 500 Naira per adult and 300 Naira per children. However, the University of Ibadan students with valid ID cards can visit for free.
With recent upgrades at the zoo, the University of Ibadan is one of the best zoos in Nigeria. In terms of maintenance and the number of animals.
The National Children’s Park and Zoo Abuja
The National Children’s Park and Zoo is located in Nigeria’s federal capital territory, Abuja. It is a family-themed park with a zoo. The National Children’s park and zoo is located at Asokoro District in Abuja. It opens between 9 am to 6 pm daily.
The zoo has different species of animals which made it one of the top zoos in Nigeria. The park has a lake, it also comes with other facilities that make it one of the top places to visit in Abuja.
It is located behind the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The zoo has its fair share of exotic animals such as lion, crocodile, monkeys etc
Jos Wildlife Park
The Jos Wildlife Park is another popular zoo in Nigeria. It is one of the top tourist destinations to visit in Jos. Jos Wildlife park is also known as the Jesse Aruku Wildlife Park. It has different species of animals ranging from Elephants to Chimpanzees. The zoo also has an animal museum where animal artefacts are displayed.
Also, it has children play area, a restaurant and a history museum. Some animals at the zoo include elephant, buffalo, gazettes, monkeys, crocodiles, alligator, hyenas, chimpanzee, different species of birds etc.
Ogba Zoo Edo state
The story of Ogba zoo dates back as far as 1915. It was a forest reserve. The reserve was converted into a zoo. It is one of the oldest zoos in Nigeria.
Ogba zoo is located on 20 hectares of land with a wide variety of animals. It has also become one of the top spots for recreational activities. Ogba Zoo is located in Oko Central at Oredo Local government area of Edo state.
The entry fee is 200 Naira per adult.
Omu Resort
Omu Resort is a combination of a zoo, an amusement park and a waterpark. It is located in a serene environment at Ibeju Lekki off the Lekki Epe expressway. Omu resort zoo boast of animals like lions, crocodiles, caracal, donkeys, apes, baboon, chimpanzee etc. Though the zoo is not the only attraction at Omu Resort, Omu has proven to be one of the top tourist attraction in Nigeria.
Port Harcourt Zoo
The Port Harcourt Zoo is also known as the PH zoo. The Port Harcourt Zoo was established in 1974. It is located in the Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Port Harcourt. The zoological garden is filled with different species of animals and has become a centre of attraction in Port Harcourt.
Port Harcourt Zoo was established by Alfred Diete Spiff the then Port Harcourt military governor.
OOPL Wildlife park Abeokuta
The OOPL (Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library) wildlife park is located in the heart of Abeokuta. The zoo is part of the Olusegun Obasanjo presidential library complex. OOPL Wildlife park has several exotic animals such as the python, cobra, hyena, lion, alligator, crocodiles, monkey. It is a centre for research and learning and has become a place for the animal adoption program.
It opens from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
Imo State Zoological garden
The Imo state zoo is located in South East Area of Owerri on twenty hectares of land. The zoo was established in 1976 to promote tourism in Imo State. The zoo also has a tropical rain forest which serves as a conservation centre. Imo State zoo is available to the public from 8 am to 6 pm daily Monday to Friday and between 11 am to 6 pm on weekends.
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Zoological Park, Abeokuta 2012
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Zoological park was established in 2012. It is built on 62 hectares of land. It is popularly known as the FUNAAB Zoo or the FUNAAB Zoological park. The park is one of the biggest in terms of landmass. It has become one of the major tourist attractions in the state. The Abeokuta zoological garden features different exotic animals. FUNAAB park operates a semi safari system such that some harmless animals are allowed to roam freely within the park.
Agodi Garden Zoo
The Agodi Garden zoo is located inside the Agodi garden park in Ibadan Oyo State. It is located on 150 acres of land. The garden was created in 1967 and was renovated in 2012. Unlike its counterparts, it is a mini zoo with few bird species, monkeys, crocodiles, alligators, goose, horses, donkeys, etc
Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Maiduguri
The Sanda Kyarimi Zoo is another zoo in Nigeria located in Borno State, the northern part of Nigeria. Sanda Kyarimi Zoological park is along Shehu Laminu way, Maiduguri, Borno State. The zoo also has a botanical park and it is built on forty-two acres of land.
The zoo features different species of animals ranging from snakes, crocodiles, monkey etc
Origin Garden Zoo Ikorodu Lagos
The Origen garden is the first privately owned zoo in Nigeria. It is owned by Prince Abiola Kosoko. The facility has a museum with different relics from every part of Nigeria. The zoo is located by the lagoon. It features a lagoon view bar and a hall. The zoo was opened on December 22, 2007.
The zoo has different animals such as the lion, chimpanzee, baboons, crocodiles, tortoise etc.
It sits on 50 hectares of land along the lagoon via the Lagos Ikorodu express road. There are plans to make the zoo a major tourism hub with museums, ferry service, amusement park, eatery, resort etc.
Nekede Zoo Owerri, Imo State 1976
Nekede zoo was founded in 1976 by the state ministry of Agriculture as an animal park. It is located on ten hectares of land. It has become a centre for entertainment and recreational activities.
The zoo boasts of animals such as the lion, crocodiles, ostrich, pythons, chimpanzees, monkeys etc. It is also a forest reserve with different species of animals and birds.
It is located within proximity to the state capital Owerri, making it easily accessible to all.
QBrat Zoos and Gardens, Badagry Lagos
The QBrat zoos and gardens is another private zoo in Nigeria. It is located at Araromi Area along Lagos Bagagry expressway, Badagry, Lagos. Over the years, Qbrat has become a centre for educational research, learning and recreation.
Other Zoos in Nigeria
In addition to the zoos listed above. These are the other zoos in Nigeria.
Ahmadu Bello University Zoo
Calabar Zoo
Botanical garden Enugu
UNN Zoo
Gombe State University.
