You’ve Never Even Explored Nigeria — Why the Rush to Leave?

Let’s be real — you want to travel. But have you even started with Nigeria?

You dream of Turkish rooftops, Santorini sunsets, the streets of Paris or Kigali. Your travel mood board is global, no doubt. But pause for a second: what about Nigeria?

Before you plan the next stamp on your passport, here’s a gentle, genuine question: Have you even explored the world right beneath your feet?

Nigeria isn’t just where you live. It’s a mosaic of stories waiting to be explored.

You’ve probably been to Lagos. Maybe Abuja. Maybe even Ibadan or Port Harcourt.

But Nigeria is 36 states of culture, food, history, languages, rhythms, landscapes. It’s ancient kingdoms and modern cities. It's roadside suya and fusion cuisine. It’s desert in Yobe, waterfalls in Ekiti, caves in Enugu, and jazz bars in Jos.

It’s your world too — you just haven’t really met it yet.

Exploring Nigeria isn't second best. It’s your starting line.

Most people assume that to experience real travel, they must go abroad. But for the African traveler, local travel is not a downgrade — it’s a doorway to understanding.

It’s seeing the way Hausa architecture wraps around northern cityscapes. It’s watching bronze artisans at work in Benin. It’s tasting the sweet heat of Calabar dishes in their original context. It’s feeling Africa from the inside out.

And the truth is, every explorer needs to start somewhere. Why not from here?

“Nigeria is expensive” — and so is everywhere else

Yes, traveling Nigeria can be costly. But so is everywhere else, especially now with global inflation and visa hurdles. The real problem isn’t that Nigeria is too expensive — it’s that we haven’t built the right systems to make domestic travel easier.

But here’s the good news: change is happening.

• New eco-stays and boutique lodges are popping up across the country

• Local tour operators are designing curated, affordable, and safe group trips

• Young Nigerians are now leading travel brands, creating digital guides, and spotlighting underrated destinations

Travel is shifting — and Nigeria is part of that movement.

Local travel makes you a better global traveler

You want to travel with purpose? Understand people better? Create deeper content? Or just feed your soul?

Start here.

When you visit your own country with fresh eyes:

• You learn how to navigate culture and language differences

• You gain real insight into your roots and perspective

• You support local businesses, artisans, storytellers

• And most importantly, you become the kind of traveler who travels consciously, not just trendily

This is how global citizens are made — from the inside out.

Let’s talk destinations — where to start?

If you’re ready to take Nigeria seriously as a travel experience, here’s a quick hit list to spark your curiosity:

• Awhum Caves & Waterfalls (Enugu): Spiritual energy meets stunning nature.

• Yankari Game Reserve (Bauchi): Wildlife, warm springs, and West Africa’s largest elephant herd.

• Kajuru Castle (Kaduna): German-style castle in the middle of Nigeria. (Yes, really.)

• Ibeno Beach (Akwa Ibom): One of the longest in West Africa — pristine and peaceful.

• Osun Sacred Grove (Osogbo): A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Myth, art, and mysticism.

• Idanre Hills (Ondo): Panoramic views, ancient steps, and one of the most breathtaking hikes in Nigeria.

You don’t have to go far. You just have to go deeper.

It’s not about settling — it’s about seeing.

We’re not saying don’t go abroad. We’re not saying give up your dreams.

What we’re saying is: don’t overlook what you already have access to. Your story doesn’t have to begin with escape — it can begin with discovery. And sometimes, exploring Nigeria gives you the depth, stories, and roots that even the best foreign trip can’t offer.

What if we made exploring Nigeria… cool again?

What if we romanticized:

• A bonfire night in Taraba

• A street food tour in Aba

• A cultural exchange trip to Kwara

• A photo series in Makurdi’s quiet corners

• Or a solo weekend writing retreat in Plateau

What if we chose to see Nigeria not as something to run from, but something to study, walk through, and experience?

That’s the mission. That’s the shift. That’s TUVA.

Go ahead, explore the world. But meet home first.

Before you post your Iceland travel dump, post a hike through Erin Ijesha. Before you fly 10 hours to Bali, take 2 hours to visit the Benin Royal Palace. Before you check out, check in. To your own story. Your own land.

Nigeria is not perfect. But it’s profound. And if you’re a traveler — a real one — you owe it to yourself to see it.

📍Start Here: Want to explore Nigeria through fresh eyes? Follow @oritourbytuva and discover stories, guides, visuals, and new destinations weekly.

Your travel journey doesn’t begin when you get a visa. It starts the moment you open your eyes to where you are.