Explore Ibadan through three distinct themes: the National Museum of Unity focuses on Nigeria’s cultural diversity, the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden on wildlife and zoological education, and the Olubadan Palace on its visitor program. To plan your visit, you can first decide which focus interests you most. Cultural history, zoological collections, and a program of exhibitions, courses, and lectures offer different points of interest.
Cultural History at the National Museum of Unity
The National Museum of Unity is located in Aleshinloye, Ibadan, and was established in 1976. It aims to promote Nigeria’s diverse culture and help Nigerians understand their heritage. Both aims give the museum a cultural-historical and social focus: it is about cultural diversity and how heritage is perceived. Those interested in Nigeria’s cultural background will find a different focus here than in the zoo’s zoological offerings. The museum’s founding aims provide a clear guide when you are deciding what interests you in advance.
Wildlife and Collections at the Zoo
The University of Ibadan Zoological Garden was established in 1948, primarily as a menagerie to support teaching and research in the Department of Zoology. Its origins are therefore closely connected to an academic purpose. The garden is home to mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. These four groups illustrate the range of zoological topics and provide a guide if you are interested in different classes of animals. The garden’s history and animal groups offer different perspectives: one points to the zoo’s original purpose, the other to its zoological diversity.
A distinct focus is the Zoological Garden’s museum. It houses taxidermied animals from the zoo’s former collection, including the famous gorilla pair Haruna and Imade. It also displays replicas of animal teeth and eggs, animal footprints, animal skins, and animal sculptures. The collection thus ranges from taxidermy and traces to replicas and artistic depictions. For those interested in animal forms and their representation, it offers a different perspective from the overview of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians living at the zoo.
Tours and Programs
The zoo offers tours and school programs for adults, families, children, teenagers, and schools. The visitor offering also includes the opportunity to meet zoo experts and see animals and exhibits up close. Advance reservations are required for all zoo programs. So if you are planning a tour or school program, be sure to make a reservation in advance. The groups listed include families and children as well as adults and schools; check which of the available formats best suits your plans.
The Olubadan Palace Visitor Program
The Olubadan Palace is located in Oke Aremo, Ibadan. Its visitor program includes exhibitions, courses, lectures, activities, and private tours. The focus is therefore on a range of formats, from exhibitions to offerings centered on lectures or courses. Private tours are listed as a separate format. If a particular offering interests you, ask about it specifically. Since program details may change, confirm availability with the palace before making a specific program part of your plans.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests
Zoo programs require advance reservations; for an offering at the palace, it is advisable to confirm availability.
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