Olumo Rock in Nigeria: an Ancient Watch Tower and a Place of Refuge

Top of Olumo Rock

Standing regally on the terra firma of the Abeokuta town, the capital of Ogun State, Olumo Rock is a wonderful feature of nature in Nigeria.

The giant rock gave the city of Abeokuta its name which means "Under the Rock." The crux of the name was hinged on the historical fact where the Egba people, the aborigine inhabitants of the city found refuge under the gigantic rock during the Inter Tribal wars. They prevailed in the war due to the advantage given to them by the rock.

The rock provided them with a vantage position for seeing the advancement of the enemy and thus equipping them with the requisite strategic intelligence.

The rock was later named “Olumo” which had two levels of meaning. The first is “Olu” (God) “Mo” (Molded); ‘Olumo’ – meaning ‘God molded this'; the second is “Oluwa fi mo” (God has put an end to our wandering and suffering). 

Government has invested into the natural edifice with the hope of turning it into a tourist hub. Olumo Rock now features an elevator that carries tourists to the top of the rock where breathtaking views of the city of brown zincs laced with the silver meander of Ogun River could be enjoyed.