Nasarawa

About Nasarawa

Nasarawa sits between the Federal Capital Territory and the wider North-Central region, giving it a natural position as both a destination in its own right and an accessible escape from Abuja.

The state is often associated with its mineral wealth, but its character extends far beyond what lies beneath the ground. Its landscapes are defined by hills, valleys, forests, waterfalls, rivers and agricultural communities.

Nasarawa is also culturally diverse, with communities including the Eggon, Alago, Mada, Gwandara, Gbagyi, Koro, Tiv, Idoma and others, alongside Hausa and Fulani communities.

The result is a destination where nature, culture, agriculture and traditional life remain closely connected.

Escape into the Hills

Nasarawa's rocky landscapes create some of the most interesting hiking and outdoor environments within easy reach of Abuja.

Discover Farin Ruwa

One of the state's most spectacular natural landmarks, Farin Ruwa plunges through a dramatic highland landscape in Wamba.

Explore Living Heritage

Traditional communities, festivals, crafts and food offer an opportunity to experience cultures that remain deeply connected to their land.

Follow the Salt

The salt-producing communities of Keana and surrounding areas reveal an unusual relationship between natural resources, traditional knowledge and local livelihoods.

Go Beyond Abuja

For visitors based in the capital, Nasarawa provides one of the country's most accessible opportunities to move from urban life into nature and rural landscapes.

Lafia

The state capital and an important centre of commerce, administration and traditional life.

Lafia provides a practical base for exploring southern and eastern parts of Nasarawa and experiencing the city's markets, food and local culture.

Farin Ruwa Waterfalls

One of Nasarawa's defining natural attractions.

The waterfall drops through a rugged highland environment surrounded by vegetation, rocks and valleys, creating an impressive setting for adventure, photography and nature exploration.

Eggon Hills

The ancestral hills of the Eggon people around Nasarawa Eggon combine dramatic rock formations with cultural and historical significance.

The landscape provides opportunities for hiking, photography and heritage experiences.

Keana Salt Village

One of the state's most distinctive cultural landscapes.

Traditional salt production connects the community to naturally occurring mineral resources and provides an insight into an old local economic practice.

Akiri Salt Village

Another traditional salt-producing community, where local techniques are used to process salt from naturally occurring saline water.

Maloney Hill

Located around Keffi, Maloney Hill provides elevated views over the surrounding landscape and offers an accessible outdoor experience close to the Abuja corridor.

Akwanga

A town surrounded by hills, valleys and rocky landscapes, providing a gateway towards some of northern Nasarawa's outdoor destinations.

Wamba

A culturally rich area and the gateway to Farin Ruwa, with surrounding hills, forests and traditional communities.

Keffi

One of Nasarawa's historic towns and an important commercial and educational centre.

Its proximity to Abuja makes it a natural starting point for short escapes into the state.

Nasarawa Town

The historic town of Nasarawa offers traditional architecture, community heritage and access to the surrounding landscapes.

Oku Akpa Rock

A striking rock formation and outdoor landscape associated with hiking, picnicking, birdwatching and nature exploration.

Nasarawa is a meeting point of several cultural traditions.

The Eggon, Alago, Mada, Gwandara, Gbagyi, Koro, Tiv, Idoma and other communities contribute to a remarkably varied cultural landscape.

Traditional institutions remain important, while festivals, music, dance, masquerades, crafts and food continue to connect communities with their heritage.

The state's cultural experience is particularly strong in smaller towns and rural communities, where visitors can encounter traditions outside the standard urban tourism circuit.

Nasarawa's food reflects its Middle Belt position and agricultural economy.

Local diets are built around staples such as:

• Yam
• Cassava
• Rice
• Maize
• Sorghum
• Millet
• Groundnuts
• Beans
• Vegetables
• Sesame
• Local fruits

Traditional soups and stews vary between communities, while grilled meat, local snacks and regional dishes add to the everyday food experience.

A Nasarawa food journey is best experienced through local markets, community kitchens, farms and traditional celebrations.

Nasarawa is particularly suited to travellers looking for landscapes rather than conventional city attractions.

Farin Ruwa Waterfalls

Waterfall, forest, rocks and highland scenery.

Eggon Hills

Hiking, cultural heritage and dramatic rock formations.

Maloney Hill

An accessible hill experience around Keffi.

Akwanga Hills

Rocky landscapes, valleys and open countryside.

Oku Akpa Rock

Outdoor recreation, photography and nature exploration.

Nasarawa's Forests & Valleys

The state's varied terrain provides opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, photography and rural exploration.

Farin Ruwa Adventure

Travel into Wamba for a full-day waterfall and highland experience.

Eggon Hills Heritage Experience

Combine hiking through the hills with the cultural history and traditions of the Eggon people.

Nasarawa Salt Journey

Visit traditional salt-producing communities and learn how naturally occurring saline water becomes an important local resource.

Keffi Heritage & Hill Experience

Explore historic Keffi, climb Maloney Hill and experience the surrounding landscape.

Akwanga Outdoor Escape

Discover the hills, rock formations and rural landscapes around Akwanga.

Nasarawa Food Trail

Explore local markets, farms, traditional dishes and community food traditions.

Community & Culture Experience

Meet local communities, discover traditional crafts and experience music, dance and festivals through responsible local partnerships.

Abuja–Nasarawa Escape

Build a short getaway from Abuja around nature, food, hiking and cultural experiences.

Nasarawa's proximity to Abuja gives it an important economic advantage.

The state combines agricultural land, mineral resources, emerging industrial activity and a growing connection to the Federal Capital Territory.

Key areas of opportunity include:

• Commercial agriculture
• Rice production and processing
• Cassava
• Sesame
• Sugar
• Shea
• Cashew
• Livestock
• Agro-processing
• Light manufacturing
• Solid minerals
• Mining and mineral processing
• Energy
• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Logistics
• Technology
• Healthcare

The state's mineral resources include iron ore, gemstones, barite, coal, lead-zinc, salt, silica sand, granite, limestone, marble, tantalite and other deposits, giving mining and mineral processing an important place in its economic story.

Its strategic proximity to Abuja also creates opportunities in hospitality, real estate, logistics, services and destination development.

Lafia

The main base for exploring the state and its southern and eastern destinations.

Keffi

Well positioned for travellers coming from Abuja and exploring northern Nasarawa.

Akwanga

A gateway to the state's northern hills, waterfalls and outdoor landscapes.

Nasarawa Eggon

The natural base for exploring the Eggon Hills and surrounding communities.

Wamba

A gateway towards Farin Ruwa and the surrounding highlands.

Karu

Part of the rapidly developing Abuja–Nasarawa corridor and an important commercial gateway into the state.

Nasarawa's cultural calendar reflects its many communities and traditional institutions.

Visitors may encounter:

• Traditional cultural festivals
• New Yam celebrations
• Eggon cultural celebrations
• Alago cultural events
• Traditional dances and masquerade festivals
• Agricultural and community festivals
• Royal and traditional ceremonies
• Contemporary cultural and creative events

Event dates and access should be confirmed before travel.

Region: North Central
Capital: Lafia
Known as: Home of Solid Minerals
Signature attraction: Farin Ruwa Waterfalls
Cultural highlights: Eggon Hills, Keana Salt Village, traditional communities and festivals
Natural character: Hills, waterfalls, forests, valleys and rocky landscapes
Economic strengths: Agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, energy, tourism and proximity to Abuja
Destination character: Adventure • Nature • Culture • Heritage • Rural • Emerging

Leave the city behind. Climb the hills. Follow the waterfalls. Discover Nasarawa.