19. Urban Geoheritage Site: The Example of Olumo Rock in Abeokuta City, Ogun State, Nigeria

Urban areas are places with a unique combination of natural and human elements. Some, including Abeokuta in southwestern Nigeria, have unique geological features (geoheritage) that are important to modern society because of their scientific, educational and touristic values. In this study, the Olumo rock in the city of Abeokuta in Ogun state—a granite inselberg with a variety of minor granite landforms due to weathering and mass movement—is considered as an important geosite. The Olumo rock attracts tourists from all parts of Nigeria and other countries of the world, generating up to about $18,000 (approximately N 6.3 million) annually for the government. Given the geotourism and economic benefits associated with Olumo rock and its position in the history and development of Abeokuta city and Yoruba people of Egba extraction, the study concludes that the Olumo rock should be duly recognized, conserved and preserved as a vital geosite for sustainable tourism development in Nigeria.