Beyond government business, Abuja has many leisure spots for catching your breath after those lengthy meetings with public servants.
By Ese Aluko
With a land mass that is almost twice the size of New York City, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is reported to be the fastest-growing city in Africa and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Its unique position as Nigeria’s seat of government means that most of the business engagements will be public sector-focused. By meeting officials at the Presidency, legislators at the National Assembly or indeed with one ministry or government agency, one is left to wonder whether the city will have room for leisure.
The city’s peaceful and serene environment surprisingly provides nuggets of leisure activities that suggest that it is not all about meetings; Abuja also knows how to relax!
Since it became Nigeria’s capital about three decades ago, Abuja has developed into a planned city with modern infrastructure, such as roads, rail and an international airport. As a choice destination for business and pleasure, Abuja showcases the essentials of Nigeria’s culture, tradition and history: its food, music, arts and even the nightlife make Nigeria’s capital one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations. The city derives its energy and passion from the many ethnic groups in the country, which have understandably made Abuja their abode.
Although the list is not even close to being exhaustive, here are five leisure spots that will tingle your senses to relax after that long meeting in the capital city.
Arts and Crafts Village
If you want to feel the pulse of Nigerian cultural history and tradition in a serene and relaxed environment, you should visit the Arts and Crafts Village in Jabi District.
The ambiance of the Arts and Crafts Village with its picturesque red earth huts covered with thatch roofs is reminiscent of a mysterious African village housing treasures from the past. In each hut, you will find originals and replicas of a variety of African art forms, such as leather works, paintings, wooden crafts, Ankara accessories, batik materials, small statuettes, African masks, jewelry, and a whole lot more.
This art-enthusiast’s haven has witnessed an increase in local and foreign visitors following the closure of the National Centre for Arts and Culture Gallery in the Central Business District. Entrance to the village is free and visitors and sightseers are welcome to view and enjoy the art forms.
The Dome
Abuja is home to both the ancient and the modern. The Dome is an entertainment and recreational hub for good food and relaxation. The Dome’s outdoor pool area is a watering hole for celebrities and businessmen and women taking a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy day.
Tired from back to back meetings? The floating indoor pool in the Camelot Spa is ergonomically built to provide the experience of floating peacefully in outer space, devoid of earth’s gravitational pull.
If you find light sports relaxing, the Dome’s game arcade features a bowling alley and snooker tables as well as a finely equipped gym.
Jabi Boat Club
Abuja may not be blessed with beaches but with the innovation of the city’s managers a few years ago, what was once a tiny pond has become a magnificent manmade lake adding colour and vibrancy to the city.
The now famous Jabi Lake is home to Abuja’s number one water-relaxation spot, the Jabi Boat Club. Strategically located at the far end of the lake, the Jabi Boat Club provides the ambience of a beach without its accompanying waves.
Activities at the club include rides on jet skis, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats. You can also relax and sunbathe on the white sand, listening to the tranquil sounds of flowing water.
The Boat Club restaurant, which is aptly themed with wooden structures and a hanging boat at the top of the building, serves a diverse menu, ranging from finger foods to regular cuisine and fine wine. At night, the beach is transformed as the lights are turned on, illuminating the lake in all its scenic glory.
Hareem Dream Restaurant and Lounge
As night clubs are to Lagos, so are gardens to the Federal Capital Territory. Gardens play a major role in defining Abuja city’s nightlife. The Hareem Dream Restaurant and Lounge is an outdoor restaurant where good music and beautiful scenery meet local and continental dishes, exotic cocktails and mocktails.
What sets Hareem Dream apart from most gardens is its rustic ambience and customer service. Patrons are seated in specially decorated outdoor cabanas equipped with lovely curtains for privacy. The House Disc Jockey (DJ) takes song requests from patrons who wish to be serenaded while listening to their favourite songs.
A little out of town and situated in the heart of Lokogoma District, Hareem Dream Restaurant and Lounge offers brain-teasing board games like chess, scrabble, draughts and, if you fancy a lesson or two, an in-house chess master is available on request to help sharpen your skills.
Dunes Centre
If you’re a serial shopper or you simply find window shopping relaxing and therapeutic, you should check out Dunes Centre.
Dunes is a one-stop shopping plaza that accommodates authentic designer brands from all over the world and serves the best croissant and fattoush salads in Nigeria. The Courtyard Café is a great location for semi-formal breakfast meetings.
Exhausted from all the shopping? Take the escalator to the rooftop and enjoy a meal at the Dunes Continental restaurant widely appreciated for its breath-taking view of the city. The local and international cuisine tastes good and is plated beautifully. You are likely to see one or two customers taking selfies with their meals.
Experiencing lots of footfall from celebrities, Dunes Centre provides you with a high-end shopping experience and an array of luxury items you will be happy to splurge the cash on.
Ese Aluko is a communications consultant based in Abuja. This article was first published by Four Points Communications in NCDMB’s Local Content Digest magazine.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
