Enugu is the capital of Enugu state in Nigeria. It is located in the southeastern part of Nigeria. According to the 2006 official census, the population of Enugu state was over 720,000 inhabitants. The city’s name is a derivative of two Igbo words “Énú” and “Ụ́gwụ́” which means “hill top”. The name, Enugu, is a representation of the city’s geography. Enugu, besides being capital, is also the state’s largest city.
Enugu state local government areas comprise of Aninri, Awgu, Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South, Ezeagu, Igbo Etiti, Igbo Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Isi Uzo, Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Nsukka, Oji River, Udenu, Udi, Uzo-Uwani. Some of the major areas in the state are Nsukka, Agbani, Enugu and Awgu. Notwithstanding, there is more to Enugu than what people know. But you do not need to worry as we have got you covered with the top 5 things to know about Enugu.
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The Meaning Of Enugu
Apparently, the first thing you should know about Enugu is its meaning. That is the reason why the state is called what it is called. It is expected that behind every name is a reason or story that birth it. You probably might have come across questions like, ‘what is the meaning of Enugu?’ or ‘what does Enugu mean?’. This is one of many questions people ask, especially for those who are not from the eastern part of Nigeria or speakers for the Igbo language. The meaning of Enugu, as mentioned earlier, is derived from two Igbo words: ‘Énú Ụ́gwụ́’ which is translated as ‘top of the hill or mountain’.
For the benefits of those who have been to the city and those who have not, the name is an obvious denotation of the city’s geography which comprises of rolling hills and valleys. Another angle to explaining the city’s name is the brief history of Enugu i.e the state was named after ‘Enugu Ngwo’ under which coal was discovered. This is not surprising the state slogan in Nigeria is the Coal City State. Enugu city is well known for its robust industries, cuisine and love for the local palm wine. It is inhabited majorly by the Nike subgroup of the Igbos. The word ‘ndi Nike’ translates as ‘those with strength or power’ in the Igbo language.
It is, however, important to note that coal was not discovered in Enugu until 1909. This was after 6 years of exploration led by Albert Ernest Kitson in order to find mineral resources in the area. The discovery of coal at the Udi Hills led to the construction of the Eastern Railway to transport coal from Enugu to the port at Port Harcourt. The city was then developed by the Europeans, making it one of the few West African cities with European touch. Enugu was also declared the capital of the Eastern Region after Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Before then, it has served as the administrative capital of the same region from 1938 until independence.
Best Time To Visit Enugu
After getting a bit of run down about the city’s history and the meaning of its name. You probably thinking of visiting this part of Nigeria for vacation or adventure as it is home to hills, mountains and valleys. If you are the type that likes trying new environment, your next travel plan should be this part of Nigeria. Travelling to Enugu is quite easy as it is accessible by road from all parts of Nigeria. Though travelling to Enugu by road can sometimes be stressful because of the long hours of the journey; which also depends on where you are travelling from.
For instance, Lagos to Enugu by road is an estimated journey of 8 hours plus. Some of the road transportation companies travelling the route on a daily basis from different parts of the country are Peace Mass Transit, ABC Transport Plc, Chisco Transport Ltd, God is Good Motors and Young Shall Grow Transport Ltd. The average cost per travel is N4000. You can also travel to the state by air. There are a number of local airlines with direct flights to Enugu’s Akanu Ibiam International Airport such as Arik Air, Air Peace and Medview Airlines.
It is one thing knowing how best to travel depending on what your budget is like and the things you want to achieve. For example, for a travel writer looking for content, it is best you travel by road in order to fully experience the lifestyle of different people and communities along the journey. That said, we can now discuss the best time to visit the city. Enugu has a population of about 1 million people. What this means is that it is one of the lesser populated metropolises in Nigeria.
Due to the population of Enugu state compared to other cities in the country, it is considered one of the peaceful places in Nigeria with some very nice apartments to live in Enugu. The city, however, experiences two distinct seasons: the periodic rainy and dry season separated by the dusty Harmattan weather. The city is one of the most habitable places in Nigeria with a mean temperature of 26.7°C. The best time to visit Enugu is during the dry season after the rains have subsided.
The City of Festival
Besides being known for its many hills and mountains, Enugu is also known for its cultural heritage. Like most parts of the country, it is full of historical and cultural values. This is evident for everyone to see. There are a number of festivals celebrated in the state yearly, however, the New Yam Festival seems to be the major one. The New Yam Festival is always done to officially present the newly harvested yams to God and their ancestors. The New Yam Festival is as old as the Igbo culture.
The festival usually holds between August and October with each community in the state determining a date. The festival is also known as “Emume iri ji Ohuru” or “Iwa ji” by the natives. It is a practice which serves as a unifying factor for the entire Igboland. Over the years, the festival has become a major tourist attraction for both locals within the country and foreigners from different countries. This is due to the colourful events that accompany the festival such as the Royal dance, Igba-Eze dance, masquerade parade & dance, cultural dance and musical rendition by different groups all over the state.
Another festival you definitely do not want to miss, when or around the city, is the Mmanwu Festival – the masquerade festival. It is an Igbo celebration of masquerades which serves to honour the ancestral spirits represented by each masquerade. The festival serves as an umbrella for different masquerade celebration like the Enyi Mmanwu – Elephant; the Ojionu, which is the water spirit masquerade; the Mmanwu Ube – Tortoise; the Mmanwu Ugo – Eagle and the Ijele, which is considered to be the king of these masquerades. It is a yearly festival that is usually held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in the month of November.
Why Is Enugu Called 042?
Why Is Enugu called 042? There is the probability that you have heard people say they are from 042, especially those from the eastern part of Nigeria. It is actually okay if you do not know what they mean or where they originated from, you don’t need to be hard on yourself. This is one trend you might have heard or seen on the internet – mostly on social media. Inasmuch as 042 is just a combination of three numbers, what does it mean to the people who say it? Well, 042 is the NITEL Telephone Area Code for Enugu State. It probably answers the question, ‘why is Enugu called 042?’ but does not really give many reasons for it.
However, the set of numbers didn’t become a moniker for the state overnight. It is as a result of the state’s young and youthful population taking a cue from Pop Culture and Hip Hop communities in the U.S where the areas are used in place of the city’s name. For example 313 for Detroit, 404 for Atlanta Georgia, 202 for Washington DC. the trend started a low key thing when the veteran Enugu rapper Mr Raw started referring to the city as its area code. The trend was later picked up by other rappers from the state like Phyno and Zoro. Today, when you get to Enugu, the number 042 is everywhere; on every tongue, every street, in the air, and on air. It is not just a number anymore, it is a way of life.
So, the next time you hear people say 042, you don’t need to ask why is Enugu called 042?
Things To Do In Enugu
For a first-timer in the city, there are a number of top activities that are recommended for you which include the various festival held in different parts of the city. Here, you definitely cannot run out of things to do or places to go. One thing that is also encouraging to any fun or adventure seeking person in this part of the country is the hospitality of the natives. The people are very hospital, it is important that as a visitor you learn one or two things about the culture and it would be easy to get along. Learning how to greet, and converse in their dialect is a good a way to start. This also helps if you plan on doing business in the area. Below are some of the things to do in Enugu:
Eat Out To Have A Feel Of The Rich Igbo Food Culture
Though it is almost impossible to run out of things to do, however, eating out in Enugu should be one of the things you must have done. You definitely want to have an experience of the famous Igbo foods. Enugu is arguably the headquarter for most Eastern/Nigerian delicacies like Abacha – African Salad, akpu/fufu, Ugba, pepper soup and nkwobi etc. this place is also famous for its okpa; which is probably the most popular food. Other foods like the banga soup, ukwa, are also served in the city.
Witness The New Yam Festival
The New Yam Festival is another thing you should do when in the state is to witness the new yam festival celebration. As mentioned earlier, it is the most important festival of all festivals celebrated in the city. It is usually held between the months of August and October. Visitors can celebrate the new yam festival by preparing a variety of yam meals; from boiled yam to yam porridge. The new yam festival is part of the rich history of Enugu.
There are several other festivals you can witness in the state like the Mmanwu (masquerade) festival which is held every November. These festivals are accompanied by a rich display of culture by the natives; dancing and drumming.
Enjoy the Nightlife In The City
Enugu is that city which can boast of its interesting nightlife like other major cities in Nigeria. Its impressive nightlife can be likened to that of Lagos or Abuja. For nightcrawlers, there are various joints, sit-outs and clubs providing all forms of night entertainment. Here, the party never stops. Though the days to experience the peak of the parties are Fridays and Saturdays. To ensure they have the best of weekends, people hang out at wine bars and joints spread around different corners of Enugu city. Extreme lounge is one of the most sought-after places you can go and catch fun in the city.
There are other places like True lounge, Villa Toscana nightclub, Legend hotel, Dmatel hotel and Resort, Amazon hotel, Hotel Toscana, Nike Lake Resort/hotel, Hotel Metropole International Ltd, and Rossy Valley International Hotels complex.
Shop all over Enugu
Go shopping! At the end of your visit, you definitely want to have souvenirs or references that you visited the state. It is, in fact, a must do for every visitor. The city provides a number of large markets which in turn serve dual functions: space to shop at cheap prices and a tourist feel of a typical Igbo Land market environment. The major markets are, however, found in the city. This does not mean the rural communities don’t have their own markets which also occasionally provide night markets.
From the markets, you can get a variety of things: from selling groceries, clothes, books, electronics, vegetables etc. They are usually laid out in different sections of the market. There are also supermarkets that sell varieties of foreign goods in the city. However, the most popular market in Enugu is the Ogbete market. The Ogbete market, also known as Main market or as it is referred to – Ogbete Main Market Enugu, is considered the largest and cheapest market in the state. This part of the city is quite popular under the Enugu state local government areas because of the market.
It is the go-to place in order to get different bulk items at the best prices. Other markets like the Kenyatta Market Enugu and New Markets are considered the best places to get service providers like tailors, shoemakers, bricklayers, carpenters etc. For fresh fruits and vegetables, the Obolo market is the best place while the Artisan market is considered a good idea for anything meat or animals. The markets are lighted with kerosene lamps. Most of the markets open daily till 6:30 pm.
One interesting thing about the night markets in the state is that they are believed to be associated with spiritual elements. They are occasionally open in the small towns around the city. It is believed that people go to the market in order to find their dead relatives.
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Stadium
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Stadium is the home ground of Enugu Rangers. If you are a football fan and won’t mind watching a local league match, this is where to go. You can catch up with all the actions as home local league matches are played in the stadium. The stadium is named after the first President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. It has a capacity of 22,000.
Enugu Golf Club
The Enugu Golf club is available to individuals every day. It is today, one of the tourist attractions to both the locals and foreigners in the state. It provides a conducive environment that makes it welcoming to people, with the availability of bar and clubhouse. The Golf course is located on Mount Street in Enugu.
The Magic Garden
As part of what to do or things to do is to visit the Magic Garden, Enugu. If you are looking to take the kids out on the weekend or for a fun time, this is one place you want to visit. The Magic Garden is considered one of the beautiful places in Enugu state and the goto place for everything fun – recreation and relaxation. With its time to time family-themed event, it ranks top of the places to visit for a top family time.
National Museum of Unity
History. Culture. Art. what else do you expect of a museum that you would not find at the National Museum of Unity, Enugu? The National Museum of Unity, also known as Enugu Museum, was established in 1972, after the Nigerian Civil war. Since then, it has been charged with the responsibility of promoting understanding and peaceful co-existence among citizens. For those interested in history – Nigerian history, the museum is the best place to find relics of the Civil war.
Polo Park Mall, Enugu
The Polo Park Mall, Enugu, located at Okpara Avenue, has established itself as one of the top go-to destinations for shopping and leisure purposes in the South East of Nigeria. The array of options available make it a must visit for anyone seeking to shop in the area with stores like Nike store, Swatch stores, The Hub store, Fine brothers, HealthPlus, Puma, Pandora, Montaigne, Shoprite among others. Also, if you looking to have a nice time on a date or with the family or you probably out alone by yourself, you can’t do any wrong here.
There is a range of food stores that you can visit here: Cold Stone Creamery, Citi Chef, KFC etc. Another thing you can do at the Polo Park Mall is to see a movie at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema.
The Ugwueme and Udi Hills
Enugu, as mentioned earlier in the article, is a derivative of two words which mean Hill Top. A visit to Enugu without an experience is definitely not complete. The Udi Hills in Udi, which is one of the Enugu state local government areas is one of the most popular places in Enugu. The hills are hundreds of metres above sea level, providing visitors with stunning views of the city’s landscape. The Udi Hills is home to the first site of coal mining in Nigeria being the where coal was discovered first. If you are not scared of heights, would love to go mountain climbing and take stunning landscape photos, you definitely should visit.
Because we are generous enough, we decided to add a bonus to the list. So, consider the where to eat in Enugu as the icing on the cake on the top 5 things to know about Enugu.
Where To Eat In Enugu
This is arguably the most important question on the mind of every traveller or visitor. Either you plan to be here for long or you are just passing through, there is the chance that you have taught of it – where to eat in Enugu? In fact, it is undeniable that we all need food to get us going and we can literally search the earth to fulfil the hunger desire. That said, if you are in Enugu, you don’t need to worry about what to eat or where to eat. Enugu is actually considered the haven of Igbo foods; the variety of delicacies add the rich history of Enugu. You definitely cannot run out of ideas on what to eat.
Enugu city is home to local delicacies that you certainly want to try. For the best of experience, eating at the regular “mama puts” is highly advised, especially if you are also trying to save cost on your travel. There are several numbers of restaurants, bars, and mama put in this part of Nigeria. One signpost you are certainly going to see more often as you stay in the city is FOOD IS READY. What this means is that you get to eat some of the popular food you have seen on television or heard people talk about like oha soup, banga soup, okpa, abacha, ugba, pepper soup, fiofio, ofe akwu, nkwobi, ukwa among others.
The list doesn’t do justice to all the foods in the state because there are more local delicacies to try if you are looking for something new. There are, however, some foods you cannot but come across in Enugu. They are not just foods but ways of life. Example of such foods are okpa, abacha, pepper soup and nkwobi. The two most common food in Enugu is okpa and abacha, while the latter is also known as African salad. 9th Mile corner in Ngwo acclaimed to be the goto place for the best Okpa in the state.
By now you should know a thing or two about Enugu. Feel free to share your views and experience(s) of Enugu with fellow PropertyPro.ng readers.
