Top 10 Major Rocks In Nigeria And Their Locations

Rich in both natural and human resources, Nigeria is an incredible nation. The country has benefited economically from not just its its natural resources, but also from rocks that are popular tourist attractions. Many of these rocks are particularly striking, and visiting them generates substantial economic benefits. The top 10 major rocks in Nigeria, along with their locations, are listed in this post. Please take your time browsing and learning about Nigeria’s major rocks.

TOP 10 MAJOR ROCKS IN NIGERIA AND THEIR LOCATIONS

The following are the 10 major rocks in Nigeria and their locations this 2024:

ZUMA ROCK

Perhaps the most popular rock in Nigeria, Zuma Rock is easily seen as you get closer to Abuja and is situated in Niger State. The most popular rock in the nation, sometimes mistaken for Aso Rock, is so significant that it is included on the Nigerian currency’s 100 Naira note. The massive monolith known as Zuma rock is an igneous intrusion made of granodiorite and gabbro. Often referred to as the Gateway to Abuja from Suleja, the rock rises stunningly just west of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, along the main road from Abuja to Kaduna off Madala. During intertribal warfare, the Gbagyi people used Zuma Rock, which rises 725 metres (2,379 feet) above its surroundings, as a defensive refuge from invading neighbouring tribes.

OLUMO ROCK

Another well-known rock in Nigeria is Olumo Rock, a mountain in the city of Abeokuta, Ogun State. It is one of the most popular rock formations and tourist attractions in the nation, particularly for those traveling from the South-West geopolitical zone. During intertribal fighting in the 19th century, the Egbas exploited the rock as a natural fortification. In the Yoruba religion, its patron spirit is regarded as an orisha. Every year, Olumo Rock is commemorated with many sacrifices. The Ogun River is visible from Olumo Rock, which is 137 metres above sea level.

ASO ROCK

Though they are not the same, Aso Rock, a well-known rock in Nigeria, is occasionally mistaken for Zuma Rock. In the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, the rock is a gigantic granitic outcrop that is located outside of Abuja. A towering monolith rising 400 metres (1,300 feet) above sea level, Aso Rock is one of Abuja’s most recognizable landmarks. At its top, it is 936 metres (3,071 feet) above sea level. The Presidential Villa derives its name from the rock. The Nigerian National Assembly, Nigerian Supreme Court, and the Nigerian Presidential Complex are all located nearby.

WASE ROCK

Another prominent rock in the nation is Wase Rock, and it is situated in Plateau State in North-Central Nigeria. This well known rock is among the five possible breeding habitats for Rossy White Pelican birds in all of Africa and is one of the few volcanic rocks in the nation. The Plateau State Government maintains the surrounding region of Wase Rock, which spans approximately 321 hectares (790 acres), as a wildlife and bird sanctuary. Wase Town in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State is the source of the name “Wase Rock,” which is located close to the town. The height of the rock above sea level is approximately 350 metres (1,150 feet). One of only five rocky inselbergs in the world, it is enormous and formed like a dome.

RIYOM ROCK

The Riyom rock, also known as the Three Rocks, is a unique rock formation in the country’s middle belt. It is situated in Riyom town, Jos, Plateau State. This magnificent huge rock in Nigeria is a sight to behold because of the exquisite way the boulders have been organized, skillfully layered one on top of the other to create an incredible vista. One of Nigeria’s most magnificent rocks, the Riyom rock has been arranged that way for thousands of years. With one of the biggest rock carvings on the African continent, Riyom Rock is a natural gallery.

GIBADI ROCK

Gibadi rock, which is located in the country’s north, is one of the most significant monuments in Sokoto State, northern Nigeria, this natural beauty is also a popular tourist destination that generates revenue for the State.

UDI HILLS

Enugu State, in the southeast of Nigeria, is home to Udi Hills, often referred to as Ugwueme and Udi Hills. Situated at a height of 100 meters above sea level, the hills are a well-known prominent rock formation in the nation and a key tourist attraction in the state. The British colonial government in Nigeria dispatched a team of mining engineers to Enugu in 1909 to search the town and its environs for silver. The Udi hills had drawn a British expedition team in 1908 while they were traveling from Awka to the Middle Belt region of the country. They settled in Ngwo near the summit of Milliken Hill after discovering coal upon their arrival. The first ever coal mine opened at Udi Hills.

SHERE HILLS

The Shere Hills are a collection of steep slopes and rock formations on the Jos Plateau, which is situated in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, around 10 km east of Jos metropolis, the capital of Plateau State. The Shere Hills are the highest point of the Jos Plateau and constitute the third highest point in Nigeria after Chappal Waddi on the Mambilla Plateau, which averages about 2,419 m or 7,936 ft above sea level, and Mount Dimlang (Vogel peak), which is located on the Shebshi Mountains, which reaches an elevation of approximately 2,042 m or 6,699 ft above sea level. The Hills are characterized by numerous high peaks, the highest peak of which towers to a height of approximately 1,829 m or 6,001 ft above sea level.

KAZAURE HILL

The historic city of Kazaure is situated in Jigawa State, Northern Nigeria, and is home to Kazaure Hill. The people who live in the valleys that surround the hills are farmers. The Kazaure Emirate’s capital city has served as the seat of government since 1819. One of Usman dan Fodio’s 14 flag bearers, Fulani warrior Dan Tunku, is credited with founding the city.

KUFENA HILLS

Zaria, in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna, is home to Kufena Hills. Metamorphic rocks, which make up the basic material in the center of the earth’s major continental masses, are what comprise Kufena Hills. The hills and their surroundings are remarkable due to the varied landforms, flora, and fauna found in the area. July 17, 1956, saw the designation of Kufena Hills as a National Monument. One of the four National Monuments designated in Kaduna State, it is safeguarded by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Act of Parliament, Cap 242 of 2000 (formerly known as Decree 77 of 1979), which created the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.