Discover Asaba: Film Culture and History

Asaba offers several distinct points of interest for a trip: the city is regarded as a centre of Nollywood, while Maryam Babangida Leisure Park—with its lighthouse, zoo and activities on the lake—offers a different focus. Historic buildings and monuments round out the picture. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can choose your perspective on Asaba according to whether film culture, memorial sites or shared leisure activities are the main focus of your trip.

Film production as part of Asaba’s character

Asaba has a rich history of film production and is regarded as a centre of Nollywood. In terms of production and economic significance, Nollywood is one of Africa’s leading entertainment industries. In December 2023, Asaba was named a UNESCO Creative City of Film. For a culture-focused trip, film is therefore a clear focal point, connecting both Asaba’s own production history and the wider entertainment industry.

Asaba established Nigeria’s first Film Village. The Film Village is associated with international film conferences and international artist-in-residence programmes, and is considered an institution that identifies and supports local talent. These themes offer different perspectives on the city’s film culture: its history, support for local talent and links to international programmes.

A lighthouse, animals and water at the Leisure Park

The lighthouse at Maryam Babangida Leisure Park is ten storeys tall and measures 36 metres in total. It houses an exhibition gallery and a restaurant. The zoo area is home to more than 70 animals from over 50 species; these figures may change.

Pedal boat rides are available on the park’s lake and are considered suitable for all age groups. The Prime ticket includes kayaking. Check the current availability of the rides and what the Prime ticket includes before your visit. For trip planning, the park offers different points of interest: its architectural height, animals and water activities. You can weigh up which will appeal most to your travel group when choosing your outings.

Monuments and buildings in Asaba

The Ojife Monument stands at the Federal Medical Centre Roundabout in Asaba’s West-end district. It is dedicated to Princess Ojife, the only daughter of Nnebisi, the city’s founder. The Ekumeku Statue is considered historically significant to the Anioma and stood at the Inter-BUA Roundabout in Asaba. The two monuments highlight different aspects of history.

Mungo Park House is another historic building in Asaba. The two-storey wooden building was constructed in 1886 by the Royal Niger Company and the Lander brothers, when the Company made Asaba its headquarters. It is now located in the city’s central business district, on the site of the former Royal Niger Company. Its construction history and location thus point to different chapters in the history of the house and Asaba.

Asaba within the wider destination of Oshimili South

Asaba is also part of the wider destination of Oshimili South; there, Mungo Park House is now part of the National Museum Asaba. The museum’s collection includes mementos and artefacts from Asaba’s past. The Asaba Massacre Memorial Monument commemorates the more than 1,000 men and boys killed in Asaba during the Nigerian Civil War. The museum collection and the monument represent different forms of remembrance: collected evidence of Asaba’s past and remembrance of the victims of the war.

When looking for a holiday rental, these points of interest can provide practical guidance: consider whether film culture, historic sites or the Leisure Park matters most to your trip. This can help you choose Asaba as a destination that suits your travel group’s interests, without reducing the city’s different themes to a single type of outing.

For the wider travel overview: Oshimili South.