Nigeria has diverse cultures, languages, as well as religious beliefs. It is estimated that about half of its 170 million population are Muslim, with a significant number of these in the northern part of the country.
While many monuments have been built as places of worship, there are some that stand out for their exquisite architectural designs.
Islam is one of the major religions in Nigeria and Africa today.
Asides being a religion, it has also influenced architecture in many parts of Africa. Majestic mosques can be found in almost every state in the country.
Here are some of the most beautiful mosques in Nigeria:
1. Bashir Uthman Tofa Mosque, Kano
The Bashir Uthman Tofa Mosque is located in Gandun Albasa, Kano. The mosque is an architectural masterpiece and beautifully finished with the finest materials.
The mosque was named after Alhaji Bashir Uthman Tofa, a National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate in the annulled Nigeria’s June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The Bashir Tofa Mosque is located in the Gadun-Albasa area of Kano. It was named after Bashir Uthman Tofa, a one-time presidential aspirant in Nigeria.
The mosque is said to be the most beautiful mosque in Nigeria.
2. Kano Central Mosque, Kano
The Great Mosque of Kano is said to have been shifted to a new site in 1582 by Muhammed Zaki and rebuilt yet again due to disrepair sometime between 1855 and 1883 by Sarkin Kano Abdullahi dan Dabo.
After its destruction in the 1950s, the British Government sponsored the building of a new mosque in gratitude for the Nigerian role in WWII.
The Kano Central Mosque was originally built in the 15th century. It was destroyed in the 1950s and later rebuilt with the help of the British.
The usual practice is for the Emir of Kano to lead Friday prayers in this mosque. It is located in the Fagge area of Kano, on Abuja Road. It has a distinct green-coloured dome and two minarets.
3. National Mosque in Abuja, Nigeria
This mosque is located in the heart of Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja. It features a gold dome and four minarets.
The national mosque in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, was built in 1984. It is located at Independence Avenue in the Central Business District.
The mosque is among 50 most beautiful religious centres in the world, according to Hongkiat Survey. It has a gold-coloured dome and four minarets.
Facilities within the mosque include a conference centre that can hold 500 people, an Islamic library and an Islamic school. The mosque is open to the general public – most muslim and non-muslim – except during prayers.
4. Ilorin Central Mosque
This mosque is an ultra-modern place of prayer at the centre of Ilorin. The mosque has a capacity of 20, 000 people.
The Ilorin Central Mosque was originally built in 1981 and then rebuilt due to dilapidation in 2007, by builders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.
It is has a capacity for 20,000 people and it is said to be the second largest in Nigeria. The mosque is situated at the Oja-Oba area of Ilorin and has several domes and four distinct minarets.
