National Museum || Places to go with kids in Lagos
A Gem!
Our National Museum!
In July 1948, the first architectural sketches of the museum were submitted to a conference on museum policy in Nigeria. The museum was founded in 1957 by the English archaeologist Kenneth Murray. The purpose with the construction of this museum was to preserve different historical artifacts of Nigeria. Kenneth Murray had collected several traditional masks from Cross River State, these masks were displayed in the museum. During the first decade of the museum's existence, the British Museum gave the Nigerian National Museum two plaques and other artifacts. Souce: Wikipedia
The museum houses the richness of Nigerian culture. It displays the cycle of life, Birth, and death. There is a display of all things culture around the birth of a child, carvings, royal crowns, masquerades, etc.
When we were done with the tour I had to say "Our culture is so rich"
It's just amazing how without enough sensitization for the public the said culture will not be on display for people to see. In all my 30+ years of living in Lagos, I've never been to our National Museum.
What I love about the place: It's neat and you can tell that they are trying to improve the appearance of the place. I loved the richness of the culture that is displayed. Love that you have diverse cultures within Nigeria on display.
What I didn't like: You can't take pictures. Why can't you take pictures? It's 2021! There's a way pictures are allowed in these kind of places... They will tell you to ensure people are in the picture and not take the artifacts alone. I had to ask, how will people know if we don't take pictures?
I also didn't like that there was no tour guide, the lady just said "read it, it's explanatory" 😂 what? In a national museum. [Update: they now have tour guides]
I also didn't like that they did not have a Pos again it's 2021 and Lagos is the champion for cashless so why? Had to go and look for cash with my child before we could pay.
Things to note:
Take Cash with you.
Pictures are not allowed. [Update. pictures are now allowed]
Your child below 5 probably doesn't want to hear the history, find simple points to pass across.
500/adult
200/kids
Cuddly Rating:
4/5 Cuddly loves
Location:
Onikan, Lagos Island (right beside TBS and Lagos City mall
Update: They now have a lovely playground
Have you been to the National Museum? What was your experience?
Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Review
How do I start this review. Hmmm...
One of the first things you'd notice is the magnificent building that is this Presidential Library. It's such a huge edifice and you can't but marvel at it from the outside.
When you go in you'd be in for more surprises. We were first shown the museum of his life from birth to when he became a democratic president and another room from his time as a democratic president till date. A section of the museum too was dedicated to his wife Stella Obasanjo then we moved to somewhere across the facility to see all the cars he used.
What we loved about the OOPL:
The tour guide was very knowledgeable, patient, and accommodating.
What we didn't like:
Price:
Children: 1k
Verdict:
Review: Olumo rock with kids what you need to know
I'm falling in love with exploring out-of-state places, just hope the roads will be safer but till then we will go by the train where we can go.
Olumo rock is a massive outcrop of granite rocks of primitive formation from which Abeokuta the capital of the state derived its name.
The rock is a historical monument that served as shelter and fortress for the Egba people who in 1830 had settled under the rock during the intercity wars. The rock is a monument of faith, unity. source of strength and unfailing protection for Ebga people.
The highest point of the rock is 137 meters above sea level with the existence of a muster tree growing for over 200 years and surrounding caves.
Olumo rock tourist complex has modern infrastructures of a heavy-duty glass escalator running through the different levels of the rock with a well-constructed stairway for visitors with a phobia for climbing mountains. Also, included are an eatery/restaurant, a museum, conference hall, multi-purpose hall, garden, parking space, and a heavy-duty generator
Source: ogunstate.gov.ng
The kids of course have not been to Olumo Rock before so, the trip was for them we just tagged along to make sure they don't jump from the top of the rock 😏 They HAD FUN! They might not know the history behind the tourist site but the memories of those stairs they climbed will not be forgotten. It was after that they knocked out but they were absolutely delighted to experience it and if not for anything they came to see their mama's hometown and learn what "Okuta" means.
What we loved about the place:
We loved first that it was easy to access, the views of the place is such a great experience, loved that they had enough tour guides at every landing to help tell you about the history of the place and there's enough space to picnic with the family, side attractions of the display of African arts. The kids loved the "Big giant rocks" and "The stairs"
What we did not like:
Having to come down at the gate to pay for gate fee and you have to hold cash. The elevator is not working (for as long as I've known its not worked), the place can be more maintained because it's a hot spot and the first point of call when you hear tourist attraction in Abeokuta, I think they can do better. The kids didn't like it because "The rocks felt like it will crash on me" 😂
Price breakdown
Train Economy 2k Adult 1k Kids
Cab from Laderin (train station in Abeokuta) 1k
Olumo Tour 1k Adult 500 for 5years old free for 4 years old cuddles (Swipe to see the full list)
Food 100 rice/portion 1k Turkey
Plan a holiday trip you can go on a day trip because there is a train for 8am and in the evening too (not sure of the time though) and by 2pmish we were done.
Verdict:
I think it is still a very worthwhile experience to give yourself and your kids. It gets a 3.5/5 Cuddly loves.
Follow me on Instagram @thecuddleblog to see all the places we explore in real time
University of Ibadan Zoo || Review
UI Zoo was our next stop on our Ibadan adventure.
The University of Ibadan Zoological Garden was established in 1948 primarily as Menagerie to support teaching and research in the Department of Zoology. With time the animal collection grew in number and diversity and the Menagerie gradually became a full fledged Zoo in 1974. It welcomes a large number of visitors from far and near every year.
The University of Ibadan Zoo, like most modern zoos, displays wild animals primarily for the conservation of endangered species, as well as for research purposes and education, and so also for the entertainment of visitors.
The garden is home to a wide array of animals comprising mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. [Source]
First Impression:
The attitude of the woman at the pay point was also not nice at all. My cousin made a statement that it’s how they are in Ibadan, lol. There were vendors outside that sold snacks and drinks.
When you enter, you’d start by seeing a few animals and honestly not expect so much because you won’t really see from the entrance how big the place is but when you walk in, you’d see how many more animals they have. The place also brought so many memories for my sister from her childhood excursions. Apparently, the state the zoo is in is like a shadow of itself from years ago.
Gate fee for university of ibadan zoo:
500/Person
Some of the Animals they have: 
The zoo has the most animals I’ve seen in a zoo.
- Geese
- Hyena
- Lion
- Giraffe
- Camel
- Jackal
- Ostrich
- Bob cat
- Snaksssss - different species
- Crocodile
- Baboon
- Monkey - different species
- Crocodile etc.
What we loved about the place?
We loved that they had a lot of animals to see. The environment looked clean and all the animals were labeled with names, Yoruba names, igbo names and a little story about them.
The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the giraffe in all it’s glory.
What we didn’t like?
The toilet wasn’t clean. I didn’t like that there was a vendor selling toys and marketing to the kids which I didn’t appreciate. It made our kids cry for things we didn’t want to buy. We didn’t like that some of the animals looked so lonely and unkempt. The Lion was also sleeping when we were there.
Wished the place was more maintained than it is.
Other things to note:
Get some snacks and water for you and the kids. You will be tired after the walk around the zoo.
Cuddly Ratings
I would give it 4/5 cuddly loves.