As part of our advocacy, #OneAccessibility, we will share information about differently able and profile one location with accessible trails. Look out every week for this enlightening post.
Abuja is Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory and known as the business and political city of the country. There is a wide range of activities and places to visit within the span of 683 square miles. One of my favourite aspects of the city is that there is something to do for every budget level and personality type.
You can use the recommendations below to guide your accessible-friendly travel throughout the city. The official currency in Nigeria is naira, and the number of ₦ in each group indicates the expense level in ascending order. You can search for specific currency exchange rates on Google to aid in your travel.
The Weekend Getaway (₦)
Things To Do
—Shopping: Silverbird Entertainment Center hosts an assortment of restaurants, boutique stores, and the well-known Silverbird cinema. You can always find what you are looking for here whether it’s a casual day out alone or to spend time with friends. The cinema has weekly promotions for their concession, and each day is different!
— Religion: National Church of Nigeria is an interdenominational place of worship for Christians. Abuja National Mosque (also known as the national mosque of Nigeria) was built in 1984 and is open to the non-Muslim public except during congregational prayers. You will rarely miss these two buildings as you drive down the city and is worth taking a look at the architecture.
Dining & Lounging
— Quick Bite: Jamal’s Shawarma is a hidden shawarma joint located in the Gwarimpa area. They offer made-to-order shawarmas, hot dogs, and burgers. While there is no major sign on the main road, getting to this location is relatively easy once you enter inside the gates.
The Business Trip (₦₦)
Things To Do
— Culture: Retro Africa is a contemporary gallery that features collections of curators and art enthusiasts. There is a restaurant connected to the gallery, a boutique hotel on the second level, and a wide grassy area to relax under the sun. The staff here are awesome and always somebody on ground to assist as needed.
— Night time: Bature Brewery is the first craft brewery in West Africa. Use this time to discuss with each other or and educate others about the journey to this destination.
Dining & Lounging
— Lunch or Dinner: Jevinik is a trendy restaurant in the heart of the city that serves a wide variety of Nigerian cuisine. There is a ramp entrance and tables are high-raised which makes dining easier for individuals with wheelchairs.
The Holiday/Romantic Package (₦₦₦)
Things To Do
— Nature: Jabi Boat Club is an entertainment center that offers water-based recreational activities and boat rentals. You can also book day city tours but make sure you make a reservation in advance if you can.
Dining & Lounging
— Cafe & Marketplace: The Cube Cafe prides itself of an authentic cafe experience and holds community-based creative events like storytelling, book discussions, and open mic.
— Scenic Lunch: IBB International Golf and Country Club is an exclusive members-only recreation venue and tourist attraction. Their weekend brunch offers a five-course buffet-style experience for members and friends and families of members. While the golf-course itself is not entirely accessible-friendly, there are golf carts throughout the course to assist with any physical limitations.
There are many accessible-friendly locations around Abuja, but this is a helpful start! Good luck in your travel, and let me know if there are any others in city that you know of!
If you have a question, suggestion or contribution, feel free to comment below. Read last week’s round up here.
