Museum Park
It was on a fateful and calm evening when my friends and I decided to take a stroll to the Nigeria Museum Park in Jos, popularly known as the Jos Zoo. What started as a casual visit quickly turned into one of the most exciting and physically demanding experiences I’ve had in a while.
After exploring the zoo and observing different kinds of animals, ranging from calm to wild, small to giant, we decided to take on something more adventurous by climbing the 100 Steps leading up to the Afizere Settlement, located at the top of the rocky hills behind the park.
From the very entrance, the experience started to feel different. The environment was peaceful, yet filled with curiosity. As we approached the base of the hill, the sight that welcomed us was captivating: a tall, leaning statue, stood just beside the first step, quietly standing as if watching over visitors who dare to take the climb. In my mind, it felt like the statue was there to welcome us or maybe silently challenge us to reach the top.
Each step of the journey was marked with numbered stones. These weren’t just for design, they served as motivation. The higher you went, the higher the numbers climbed. It gave me a sense of direction, progress, and encouragement. As I climbed each step, I kept thinking, How many more? Cause I was getting tired but turning back wasn’t an option. I was curious to see how far the numbers would go and what the top looked like.
As we continued, we met other visitors, some were already on their way down, others were just beginning, and a few were sitting along the path, catching their breath. It was comforting knowing we weren’t alone. Every few steps, we would pause, not just to rest, but to soak in the view slowly unfolding behind us.
Finally, after the last step, we arrived at the top of the hill, and woww, the view was breathtaking. From that height, it felt like we were standing above the city of Jos itself. The entire landscape stretched before us, the trees, buildings, winding roads, and glowing rooftops all created a stunning picture.
The sky was beginning to dim as evening approached, and the lights in the city started to flicker on, casting a gentle glow that made the whole scene even more magical. The clouds shifted softly above us, and the breeze carried a cool calmness that made all the climbing worth it.
We found a spot at the top, sat down, and just took it all in. Conversations flows, we laughed and photos were snapped. Some visitors were posing for pictures, others were just meditating quietly, everyone seemed to be caught up in the moment.
But as beautiful as the evening was, we knew we had to begin our descent, it was getting dark, and in today’s Nigeria, safety comes first. Climbing down was thankfully much easier, though our legs were sore and tired. The descent offered a fresh perspective of the same path, and we were more relaxed now, taking it slow and still pausing to take a few more pictures.
By the time we reached the base again, my legs felt like jelly. Honestly, I could barely walk properly for a while and had to rest before regaining my balance. But every bit of the climb, the sweat, the tired legs, the laughs, and the views was completely worth it.
This whole experience was more than just a physical climb. It was a mental, emotional, and cultural journey. The 100 Steps to the Afizere Settlement is not just a pathway to the top, it’s a stairway into history, nature, and personal endurance. If you ever find yourself in Jos, this is one experience you don’t want to miss.
