By Dada Ahmed.
The road leading to Mounti Patti.
(C) YouTube.
The statues of Lord Lugard and Flora Shaw among various tourism sites at Mounti Patti.
Rising majestically above the confluence city of Lokoja, Mount Patti is more than just a hill — it is a breathtaking blend of history, nature, and mystery waiting to be fully explored. From its panoramic view of the Niger and Benue rivers to its serene environment that whispers tales of Nigeria’s past, Mount Patti stands as a sleeping paradise with the potential to become a world-class tourism destination.
Located in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, and standing about 458 metres above sea level, Mount Patti offers one of the most captivating natural views in Nigeria. At the summit, visitors are treated to a spectacular aerial scene where the two great rivers, Niger and Benue, merge in a timeless embrace and flow onward into other waters across the world. A visit to the mountain reveals a calm breeze, lush vegetation, and rocky beauty that make it a haven for nature lovers, adventurers, and historians alike.
Mount Patti has a unique feature, a panoramic view of the Confluence Point where the two great rivers meet,and great historical value as the site of the former residence and administrative post of Lord Lugard, Nigeria’s first colonial governor. It remains a perfect location for sustainable, nature-based tourism.
The mountain is reachable by a winding road from Lokoja and is suitable for cable car projects, hill resorts, viewing decks, and heritage parks. However, improvement in accessibility is needed to make it more tourist-friendly. Mount Patti also serves as a unifying symbol of Nigeria’s heritage.
Beyond its physical allure, Mount Patti holds immense historical significance. It was on this mountain that British explorer Lord Frederick Lugard and his consort, Flora Shaw, reportedly stayed in the early 20th century. It was also from this very hill that Shaw, while gazing at the magnificent confluence below, coined the name “Nigeria.” Historians believe that this single historical fact gives Mount Patti an irreplaceable place in the nation’s story.
Yet, despite its historical weight and natural charm, tourism experts note that Mount Patti remains underdeveloped and under-promoted. They cite access to the summit which is still rough for most vehicles, pointing out that there are no modern hospitality facilities to cater to visitors. Tourism enthusiasts have expressed concern that the absence of adequate infrastructure has long limited the site’s full tourism potential.
However, opportunities abound. With the growing global interest in nature-based and heritage tourism, Mount Patti could easily become one of Nigeria’s flagship destinations if properly developed. Tourism lovers express optimism that a well-planned investment in access roads, cable cars, mountain lodges, viewing decks, and a modern tourism village among other infrastructure development could transform the area into a sustainable tourism hub.
The potential economic benefits of the mountain are equally enormous in that a fully developed Mount Patti could attract thousands of local and international visitors annually, creating jobs for youths in Lokoja and boosting the hospitality, transport, and creative industries in Kogi State. Local artisans, tour guides, and small businesses would also thrive, injecting fresh life into the state’s economy.
Tourists say what Mount Patti truly needs is a consistent, strategic development plan backed by public-private partnership. They believe that turning the magnificent mountain into a tourism showpiece could also strengthen national unity and cultural pride. As the historic point where Nigeria’s name was conceived, the site can serve as a living museum of national heritage, combining nature’s splendour with educational value for students, researchers, and history enthusiasts.
Environmentalists have also noted that the mountain’s ecosystem can be preserved while promoting eco-tourism. With proper conservation policies, Mount Patti could serve as a model for sustainable tourism — balancing development with the protection of flora, fauna, and cultural relics.
In addition, the mountain’s summit could host a “Nigeria Heritage Park,” a themed site featuring monuments, photo galleries, and interactive exhibitions narrating the story of Nigeria’s evolution from the colonial era to independence. Such an initiative would not only attract tourists but also foster patriotism and knowledge among younger generations.
The belief among critical minds focussing on tourism potential of Nigeria is that,if properly developed, Mount Patti could rival iconic African landmarks such as Table Mountain in South Africa or the base towns of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, drawing tourists, filmmakers, and adventurers from around the.
White the the potential of Mounti Patti is limitless; the consensus among tourism enthusiasts lies in the fact that what the mountain requires now is vision, commitment, political will, and partnership between government and the private sector to develop it.
As Nigeria seeks new pathways to diversify its economy beyond oil, Mount Patti stands tall as a beacon of opportunity. It beckons, inviting investors, policymakers, and tourists to look upward, to dream higher, and to rediscover the beauty and promise hidden within the heart of the nation.
The Kogi State Government,through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to developing the state’s tourism potential,including Mount Patti, by evolving various initiatives to realize this vision.
Tourism enthusiasts have, however, emphasized the need for the state government to inject greater momentum into the implementation of its development plans for Mount Patti.
They believe that doing so will enable the state to fully harness the potential benefits, including boosting its revenue profile, generating employment, attracting both local and international tourists, and enhancing Kogi’s tourism appeal beyond Nigeria’s borders.
In the final analysis, it is imperative to emphasise the call to awaken Mount Patti’s promise. The mountain is not just a geographical landmark; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s beauty, history, and unrealised potential. The time has come for the Kogi State Government, federal tourism authorities, and private investors to join hands and bring this treasure to life.
Developing Mount Patti into a full-fledged tourism destination will not only place Kogi State on the global map, but also strengthen Nigeria’s cultural identity and drive economic diversification.
Indeed, with vision, commitment, and collaboration between the public and private sectors, Mount Patti can rise, not merely as a mountain of history, but as a mountain of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
Ahmed publishes The Reporters.
ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
