Music and culture are two things that draw travellers in droves, so does the biggest zoo in Nigeria, which makes the oil-rich Nigeria an intriguing tourist destination. Zoos are key resource centres across the world. And a majority of African countries have them, making them key tourist attraction sites. They reveal a great deal about Nigeria’s wildlife heritage, which is often underappreciated.
Nigeria is one of the African countries blessed with magnificent zoos. The wild animals here showcase the beauty of wildlife, not just in Naija but in different parts of Africa. Each zoo provides meals, medical attention and the general wellness of the wild animals. In addition, state governments manage these wildlife centres through their respective regulatory outfits.
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Which is the Biggest Zoo in Nigeria?
Lekki Conservation Centre is the biggest zoo in Nigeria and also the biggest conservation centre in Nigeria. It was set up in 1990 to serve as a biodiversity conservation and environmental education centre. The zoo, which is in Lagos state, occupies 78 hectares of land and boasts the longest canopy walkway in Africa.

Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos has the biggest zoo in Nigeria. The zoo occupies 78 hectares of land and boasts the longest canopy walkway in Africa. The Nigerian Conservation Centre manages this zoo, punctuated by wetlands, serving a lot of wildlife. Photo/Wikimedia
The Nigerian Conservation Centre manages this zoo, punctuated by wetlands, serving a lot of wildlife. Lekki is the best place in Nigeria to feel the real nature with various species around you. The Nigerian government set up the zoo in Lagos State to conserve and protect wildlife. It also preserves nature’s beauty from urban development. The environment consists of wetlands, savanna and thick vegetation, as a result of which it is home to the birds, amphibians and mammals. It also has a treehouse, picnic spots and an auditorium where lectures and events are held.
Some major side attractions in Lekki Conservation Centre are swamps and tree houses with a lot of birds in the region. The centre is also rich in mammal and amphibian life due to its expansive marshy area. The structure housing in the zoo makes it possible to spot bushbucks, monitor lizards, giraffes, hedgehogs, hyenas and even crocodiles. Lekki Conservation Centre has an auditorium for meetings, seminars, conferences and lectures. It is slightly expensive to enter Lekki Conservation Center compared to other zoos because it has many facilities and side attractions.
Which State Has the Biggest Zoo in Nigeria?

Traffic in Lagos. The city has the biggest zoo in the country. It’s the place where you will spot monkeys, hyenas, giraffes among other wild animals. Photo/The Fisayo
Lagos State has the biggest zoo in Nigeria, Lekki Conservation Centre. The zoo, LCC, is one of the most famous wildlife conservation centres in Nigeria. Lekki Conservation Centre, which was established in 1990, occupies 78 hectares of land in Lagos State. It is the largest and is ranked by many as the best zoo in Nigeria.
Which States Have Zoos in Nigeria?
The biggest zoo in Nigeria has a replica in almost every major state. Here are the states in Nigeria where your thrill for wildlife meets expectations.
- Kano
- Plateau
- Edo
- Lagos
- Port Harcourt
- Imo
- Oyo
- Borno
- Bauchi
How Many Zoos are in Nigeria?
There are more than 30 zoos in Nigeria, including public and private ones. They complement the biggest zoo in Nigeria by giving tourists more diversity and convenience. These establishments generate a lot of revenue for the respective State governments.
What is the Biggest Zoo in Africa?

Pretoria Zoo in South Africa is the largest in Africa. It has an amazing ecology. Photo/Pretoriazoo.org
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa remain the biggest zoo in Africa. It is also known as the Pretoria zoo and doubles up as one of the top zoos in the world. The Pretoria zoo, established in 1899, receives more than 600,000 visitors annually. It offers several exciting tours, allowing families and groups to sleep over in the zoo with their camping tour. According to the management, it houses more than 2,500 animal species. Pretoria Zoo has a lot of exotic trees and features a reptile park with crocodiles.

