Stand on Dukku Road by the PDP Road Roundabout and the Emir of Gombe palace rises ahead of you, its gates facing the traffic that threads through the centre of town. A short walk away, the same road passes the Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium, and on match days the noise carries across the street to Gombe Mega Park.
Gombe suits the traveller who is already in north-eastern Nigeria and wants a day or two of straightforward, unhurried sightseeing rather than a polished tourist circuit. The places below are spread between the town centre and the surrounding local government areas, so a vehicle and a driver make the day far easier.
This guide covers the sights named in the source material, the practical details attached to them, and a single-day plan that strings them together in a workable order.
Top things to do in Gombe
1. Emir of Gombe palace
On Dukku Road, by the PDP Road Roundabout, the palace is the traditional seat of the Emir of Gombe. It was built by the 10th Emir of Gombe, the late Shehu Usman Abubakar, who reigned from 1984 to 2014.
Combine it with the Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium, which sits on the same road opposite Gombe Mega Park, so you can cover both on one pass through the centre.
2. Dadin Kowa Dam
The dam lies about 35 km east of Gombe town and supplies irrigation water for farms in the area. It was completed by the federal government in 1984, with the aim of providing irrigation and electricity for the planned Gongola sugar plantation project.
It is open from 8AM to 5PM, so plan it as a half-day outing rather than a quick stop, and set off early enough to be back in town before dark.
3. Gombe State University Zoo (GSU Zoo)
The zoo sits inside Gombe State University and is run as a recreational centre. Entry is ₦100.
Because it is on campus, pair it with a look at the university grounds themselves, which are in Shamaki ward, Tudun wada.
4. Gombe State University
The university is in Shamaki ward, Tudun wada, and was founded and established in 2004 under the Mohammed Danjuma Goja Administration.
Since the GSU Zoo is inside the campus, visit the two together and allow time to walk between them.
5. Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium
The stadium is on Dukku Road, opposite Gombe Mega Park. It was formerly the home stadium of Gombe F.C. and is a multi-use ground mostly used for local football matches.
Check whether a match is scheduled during your stay; the stadium is at its most interesting when local football is being played.
6. Gombe State Stadium (Pantami Stadium)
This sports complex is beside Kastwa Wire in Pantami, Gombe State. Entry is ₦200.
It is a working sports venue rather than a sightseeing stop, so go when you want to watch a game or use the facilities, and keep it separate from the Dukku Road cluster.
7. Federal Government College, Billiri
The college is in Billiri, in Billiri LGA. It is one of the two federal government-owned Unity colleges in Gombe and is run by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Billiri is outside Gombe town, so treat this as part of a longer run rather than a stop you add on a whim.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Emir of Gombe palace on Dukku Road by the PDP Road Roundabout, then cross to the Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium opposite Gombe Mega Park while you are still on the same road.
Afternoon: Head to Shamaki ward, Tudun wada, for Gombe State University and the GSU Zoo inside the campus, which costs ₦100 to enter. If a match or event is on, finish the afternoon at Gombe State Stadium (Pantami Stadium) beside Kastwa Wire in Pantami.
Evening: Keep the evening free in town. Dadin Kowa Dam and Federal Government College, Billiri are both outside Gombe town and need their own half-day, so save them for another day rather than squeezing them in.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the GSU Zoo and Pantami Stadium?
The Gombe State University Zoo charges ₦100, and Gombe State Stadium (Pantami Stadium) charges ₦200.
What are the opening hours for Dadin Kowa Dam?
The dam is listed as open from 8AM to 5PM.
Which sights are outside Gombe town?
Dadin Kowa Dam is about 35 km east of Gombe town, and Federal Government College, Billiri is in Billiri, in Billiri LGA.
Who built the Emir of Gombe palace?
It was built by the 10th Emir of Gombe, the late Shehu Usman Abubakar, who reigned from 1984 to 2014.
Decide which day suits the town centre and which suits the road east, and you can start planning your Gombe itinerary now.