‘Stop Visiting Lagos, Explore Uyo, Abuja, Ibadan’ — Solomon Buchi Tells Foreign Tourists

Media personality and social commentator, Solomon Buchi, has urged foreign visitors coming to Nigeria to look beyond Lagos and explore other cities across the country.

Buchi made the call in a video shared online, where he argued that Nigeria’s tourism appeal extends far beyond its commercial capital.

According to him, foreigners who want to experience what he described as the “truest” and most beautiful side of Nigeria should consider destinations such as Uyo, Abuja and Ibadan.

“Stop visiting Lagos if you’re a non-Nigerian and you want to experience Nigeria in its truest and most beautiful form,” Buchi said.

He specifically encouraged visitors from different parts of the world, including Europeans, Asians and other international tourists, to broaden their itineraries when visiting Nigeria.

Buchi described Uyo as a serene destination and Abuja as a beautiful city, while recommending Ibadan for visitors interested in experiencing Yoruba culture.

He also listed Calabar, Jos, Taraba, Kano, Yola and Bauchi among destinations he believes deserve greater attention from international tourists.

The media personality argued that these cities offer visitors opportunities to experience Nigeria’s diverse cultures, food, landscapes and lifestyles outside the nightlife and entertainment associated with Lagos.

He further criticised what he described as an excessive international focus on Lagos, saying that tourists who restrict their visits to the city may miss the cultural diversity of other parts of the country.

“If you really want to experience Yoruba culture, go to Ibadan,” he said.

Buchi maintained that Nigeria has numerous destinations capable of offering visitors a different experience, including rural communities and cities with distinct cultural identities.

“There are so many beautiful places in Nigeria that is not Lagos,” he added.

His comments have generated reactions online, with some users agreeing that Nigeria’s tourism potential should be marketed beyond Lagos, while others may disagree with his sweeping assessment of the country’s commercial hub.

Lagos remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent destinations for international visitors, particularly because of its entertainment industry, business activities, nightlife and coastal attractions.

Buchi’s intervention, however, has renewed conversation about the need to develop and promote tourism destinations across Nigeria’s different regions rather than concentrating attention on one city.

The comments also come amid growing efforts to position Nigeria as a more diverse tourism destination, with cities across the country seeking greater visibility for their cultural, historical and natural attractions.