Nsukka

Nsukka is a notable urban area in Enugu State which is a South Eastern Nigeria. Nsukka lies in the Udi Hills.

Understand

Nsukka is also a Local Government Area in Enugu State. The local government headquarters is sited at the hilly and green areas that Nsukka is known for, close to the colonial quarters of the pre-Independence era. Towns like Edem, Opi (prominent archaeological site), Ede-Oballa and Obimo share a common border with Nsukka. People of Nsukka can also be found in Kogi state which is a neighbouring state.

In the 18th and 19th century, Nsukka had one of the best fighting forces in present-day Enugu-North which they made use of in waging war against their neighbours in a bid to gain more territories for their rising population and for other economic and socio-political purposes. Each community that made up the town of Nsukka had positioned in them a fighting force made up of people from that community who are very capable and gallant. Nri Kingdom had once had a contact with Nsukka in earlier periods. Nontheless, in the book titled 'Igbo/Igala Borderland', the author, an ancient American writer traced the origin of Nsukka town to the earlier traders from Arochukwu in the present Abia State, who initially rested and later had a settlement in the area.

Nguru is known to be the traditional head of Nsukka town and therefore the first amongst the villages in Nsukka when it comes to selection or choosing things, including kola nut and land. Nsukka is one of the safe homelands of members of the Igbo ethnic group

In 2006, Nsukka had a population of 309,633. The prestigious first indigenous University of Nigeria, is located at Nsukka was founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, first President of Nigeria. The area has a number of reputable Federal Parastatals in the university like NABDA, CBSS, and the Energy Research Centre.

Get in

There are so transportation means through which prospective visitors and tourists to Nsukka can use in getting to the City. These include:

By plane

Prospective visitors wishing to access Nsukka by Air would have to make use of the Akanu I-beam International Airport, Emene, Enugu and from there complete the 30 minutes’ road drive to Nsukka town through the Ugwogo Nike road axis. The average cost of getting to Nsukka by air from different parts of Nigeria is approximately ₦21,000 or even more.

By bus

Numerous transport companies offer bus shuttle services from different parts of Nigeria to Nsukka. Prominent among these transport companies are the Peace Mass Transit and the Ifesinachi Mass Transit with their fully operational bus parks within the Nsukka Urban metropolis as well as Royal Mass Transit and God is Good transport company. Several small shuttle operators also convey people from different parts of Enugu and its environs to Nsukka. The approximate cost of travelling by road to Nsukka is ₦7,000 from the South West region, ₦10,000 from the North and ₦1650 naira the South Eastern parts of the country.

By train

Several neighbouring states have a rail connection with Nsukka in country Benue and Kogi States inclusive. Nevertheless, the railway sector in Nigeria has not been at optimum levels in the 21st century leading to a decline in the number of persons travelling to Nsukka through rail transport system.

Get around

There are a number of options available to visitors in Nsukka to move around within the city. These intra-city transportation options include the tricycles popularly known as “Keke napep”, the minibuses, and the taxi shuttle service providers and the commercial motorcycle riders also known as “Okada”. The average cost of these intra-city transport options is approximately ₦150. Howbeit, if the tricycles or taxi cabs are hired for personalized services, the costs increase to ₦500-1000 as the case maybe.

See

Nsukka comprises a number of towns and villages, including Enugu-Ezike, Opi, and Obollo Afor. Nsukka as a city has a Tropical Savanna Climate with an annual average temperature of 32 °C (90 °F).

Asides the prestigious and indigenous university of Nigeria in Nsukka, there are other interesting places to behold Nsukka. These include the Opi Lake Complex which comprises 8 natural lakes that form a waterfall, the Onuiyi Haven which was the resident abode of Nigeria’s first President, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral Church which is a gigantic and outstanding architectural masterpiece that has the capacity to accommodate hundreds of Christian worshippers at a time.

• 1 St. Theresa's Cathedral Church. A beautiful Ccathedral opened in 2020. (updated Jan 2023)

Do

Nsukka offers captivating slopes, geological formations, ranches, theme parks, and more, making it a top destination in Nigeria for nature enthusiasts. The city also boasts a rich traditional and cultural heritage, highlighted by various festivals celebrated throughout its expanse. Among these are the Omabe Masquerade Festival, the Onwa Ito festival, which honors departed loved ones with ceremonial fowl sacrifices, and the Onwa Ise, coinciding with the New Yam Festival. Additionally, the city hosts the prestigious Matriculation and Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

For budget-conscious travelers, visiting Nsukka from March to May offers the advantage of lower hotel prices, while peak rates typically begin from June to August.

Buy

• 1 Ogige Market. Tu-Sa 8:30AM-6:30PM. The major market in Nsukk is in the centre of Owere Nsukka. Buyers from this market get access to various kinds of foodstuff amongst other items like clothing materials, home an office appliances among numerous other items. (updated Jan 2023)
• Another notable market is the Orba main market. This market is a big market sited at Orba Nsukka and it offers food items, cheap clothing and other commodities at a very affordable price.
• Other markets in Nsukka are Otobo Umuezeobi, Umudiaka and Amogwu market.

Eat

Nsukka has a number of spots where visitors can sample a taste of the city’s amazing cuisines plus other foreign dishes. The city’s popular foods, Okpa and Abacha, mostly sold by hawkers and roadside food vendors. Howbeit, these plus other meals can also be gotten from the conventional restaurants within the town.

The approximate cost of a plate of food from the highbrow restaurants is ₦750 while the average cost of a plate of food from hawkers and roadside food vendors in Nsukka is ₦250.

Some of the prominent eating spots are:

• Chitis Restaurant in Akenzua Refectory of the University of Nigeria. Staff and students of the University as well as visitors are treated to a menu of dishes and snacks.
• May Fine Restaurant on New Market Road serves a range of local and foreign dishes plus pastries.
• Other popular eateries in Nsukka include: Mr Biggs and the PG Refectory.
• Madam Fresh Restaurant, 495, Ibreziako Street, Opposite Nnamdi Azikiwe flat, ☏ +234-802-266-7356. Daily noon-8PM. They offer dine in, take away and also meal delivery service. (updated Jun 2022)
• Palma restaurant, New Anglican Road, Nkpunano, ☏ +234 810 855 7225. M-F 8AM-9PM. Palma restaurant is wild choice restaurant alone Anglican Road in nsukka,Palma restaurant offers dining takeaways of any kind of fast food Nigerian dishes Nigerian cuisines and also offers delivery services. ₦₦. (updated Jun 2022)
• 11:45 Restaurant and Coffee Shop (11:45 fast food), University of Nigeria, ☏ + 234 91615 92313. M-Sa 8AM-9:30PM. The offer dine-in, takeaways and also do deliveries service of food around University of Nigeria Nsukka. (updated Jun 2022)
• Rinz Eating cafe, 849 Amobi st. 8AM-9PM daily. Dine in, takeaway and you can get all kind of fast food. They also do delivery to any part of Nsukka. (updated Jun 2022)
• on twitter Krystal's Place (Fast food restaurant), Cyclo office University of Nigeria nsukka main gate. 8AM-10PM daily. The Krystal's Place offers all kinds of meal including, cream pizza chicken pizza, chips, Cripsy chicken shawarma,meat pie, mushroom sausage, fruity Zobo and any other kind of fast food. They do dine in, Take away and Delivery to any part of the university campus (UNN). The student of the institution rate the Krystal place for their fast food. ₦1,500. (updated Jun 2022)

Drink

• Jucony Hotel and Resort, Plot 54A old GRA, opposite Nsukka High school. The Jucony also provide facilities like bar, lodge and also restaurant. (updated Jun 2021)
• The New Ikenga,Hotels limited, 160 Ogurugu Road. The New Ikenga is a notable bar in Nsukka. (updated Jun 2021)
• Kennan Lodge, 3 Alor-uno Road,Isi-uja. Kennan Lodge offers amazing services to all its customers. It offers facilities like bar, lodge and restaurant. (updated Jun 2021)
• Jerry Marriot Hotel, Plot 45/46 GRA Beside Hillcrest primary school, Nsukka. Jerry Marriot is one of the most rated bar in Nsukka. They offer facilities like lounge, and bar. (updated Jun 2021)
• Grace Manor Hotels, Old GRA road. Grace Manor Hotels is also a bar in Nsukka. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• Golden valley hotel and suites, 1 Golden valley avenue ugwuawarawa off Odenigbo junction, ☏ +234-814-862-9039. The facilities of the hotel include pool, parking space, breakfast, restaurant and room service. ₦10,000. (updated Jun 2021)
• Ehko fells Hotels and suites, 5/6 Obollo Rd,Obukpa layout around Beach junction, ☏ +234-809-974-4474, Info@ehkofellshotel.com. The hotel offers facilities like: swimming pool,free parking space, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and room services. (updated Jun 2021)
• Nike lake Resort, Nike Road, Abakpa Nike Enugu (from Enugu airport take a rental car to Nike Road). Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. It is one of the most luxurious hotels in Nsukka. It has facilities like: free parking, fast internet connection, hot hub, restaurant, rooms fully air conditioned. ₦27,595-30,785. (updated Jun 2021)

Stay safe

Travellers and visitors who wish to move around Nsukka town with motorbikes or taxi vehicles should endeavour to wear safety helmets and nose masks to avoid serious head injuries in the event of a crash occurring and also to avoid being infected with the of the dreaded Corona Virus disease.

Go next

• Aba
• Abakaliki
• Owerri