Asaba is the capital of Delta State, on the west bank of the River Niger directly across from Onitsha. Two bridges now cross the river here: the original Niger Bridge, opened in 1965, and the Second Niger Bridge, opened in 2022.
In the late nineteenth century Asaba served as an administrative headquarters for the Royal Niger Company. Since the 2000s it has grown quickly, with new estates, hotels and event centres, and it has become one of the busiest filming locations for Nigeria's film industry.
Top things to do in Asaba
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Watch the sunset over the Niger
The riverbank gives wide views of the Niger, one of Africa's great rivers, and of the bridges to Onitsha. Evenings are the best time, when the light falls across the water.
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See the colonial-era landmarks
A prefabricated house from the Royal Niger Company era has been preserved as a heritage site, and older parts of town recall Asaba's role as an early colonial river station.
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Spot a film set
Asaba's streets, homes and hotels appear in many Nigerian films and series. It is common to see crews filming around town.
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Cross to Onitsha's markets
Onitsha, across the river in Anambra State, has one of the largest markets in West Africa. The bridge makes it an easy trip from Asaba.
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Enjoy the nightlife
Asaba's hotels, lounges and event centres host weddings, parties, concerts and comedy shows, and weekends are lively, especially in December.
Festivals and culture
Asaba celebrates the new yam festival and other traditional ceremonies at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba. December brings homecomings, weddings, concerts and parties across the city.
Food to try
Try banga soup with starch or pounded yam, owo soup, bitter-leaf soup, isi ewu (spiced goat head) and nkwobi (spiced cow foot), and fresh fish from the river.
Best time to visit
November to March is the dry season, and December has the most events. Rain falls from about April to October.
Getting around
Taxis, tricycles and ride-hailing apps cover the city. Asaba has an airport, and it sits on the Benin-Onitsha expressway at the crossing of the Niger. Traffic on the bridges can be heavy at peak times.
Questions about Asaba
Is Asaba the capital of Delta State?
Yes. Asaba is the capital of Delta State.
Why is Asaba popular for filming?
Asaba has many film crews and production services, plus affordable locations, so a large share of Nigerian films and series are shot there.
How do I find events in Asaba?
Browse upcoming concerts, parties, comedy shows and free events in Asaba on Shows.ng, and filter by today, this weekend or this month.
