Park Vega: Nigeria’s Premier Waterpark and Leisure Destination
Park Vega Waterpark, located in Agbor, Delta State, in southern Nigeria, is celebrated as the first waterpark in West Africa designed to meet international standards and stands as one of the largest in the region.
The park offers a plethora of attractions for its visitors. For those seeking thrills, there are impressive water slides like the Space-Hole, which spins riders through a massive bowl, and the Freefall, which delivers a sensation of weightlessness. Families and children can enjoy their own designated areas, featuring a splash zone with shallow pools, tipping buckets, and smaller slides.
Moreover, the park boasts a large wave pool capable of generating waves over a metre high, an activity pool perfect for volleyball and other games, and a swim-up bar. Guests can unwind at the restaurants, shaded seating areas, and cabanas.
Park Vega has significantly impacted its surrounding community. The area was predominantly agricultural before the park’s establishment, and the project has created new jobs, increased demand for local produce, and stimulated the growth of nearby hotels and transport services. It has also drawn visitors from across Nigeria and other African nations.
The park is seen as part of a larger transformation in the region’s attractions industry, demonstrating that leisure facilities in Nigeria can meet global standards. It has received recognition from international associations in the sector for its quality and practices.
To delve deeper, we spoke with the founders of Park Vega: Ikechukwu Orji, managing partner, and Nancy Orji, managing director. They shared insights about the park’s mission and their ambitious plans for the future.
A World-Class Leisure Destination for Nigeria
Park Vega was conceived from the desire to create a world-class leisure destination that would redefine entertainment in Nigeria and West Africa.
“The inspiration stemmed from recognising a gap: while Nigerians enjoy fun and adventure, there are very few high-quality, safe, and innovative water parks in the region,” explains Ikechukwu.
“Our vision was to establish a park that could compete with global standards, offering exhilarating rides, family-friendly attractions, and a clean, secure environment where people could create unforgettable memories. That was the driving force behind our idea.”
However, launching such a facility in Nigeria came with its challenges:
“The first and most significant hurdle was infrastructure—ensuring a consistent power supply, reliable water access, and world-class construction in a region that previously lacked tourism infrastructure,” Nancy notes. “That was quite demanding.”
The second major challenge involved changing local perceptions.
“Many in the area were accustomed to smaller water bodies, and we were introducing a much larger one. It took time to educate the market on safety standards and to convince visitors that the park could compete internationally. We had to demonstrate that our safety measures were on par with water parks worldwide and that the pools were not too deep, allowing even non-swimmers to feel at ease.
“Over time, we’ve managed to overcome these challenges. Regarding infrastructure, we received government support to bring essential services to the area. As for guest perception, years of education and positive experiences have led to significant improvements.”
What to Expect at Park Vega
The visitor experience at the 13,000-square-foot water park combines adrenaline-pumping slides with interactive zones for children.
A standout feature is the 1,500-square-metre wave pool, which holds approximately 500,000 gallons of water and simulates ocean waves up to 1 metre high using advanced pneumatic technology.
Thrill-seekers can enjoy slides like the Space-Hole Slide, which features a twisting descent into a giant bowl before launching riders into a splash pool. The Multi-Surf Slide allows riders to race over a series of bumps, adding a competitive edge. The Freefall Slide offers a steep drop that creates a brief sensation of floating, while the Black-Hole Wave Combo Slide combines steep drops with wave features for a dynamic experience.
Families and children can explore a variety of water attractions and facilities. The Aqua Tower and Splash Pad include over 50 interactive components, such as tipping buckets, water wheels, net bridges, slides, and umbrella jets, all designed with anti-slip surfaces and shallow depths for enhanced safety.
The Activity Pool provides opportunities for fun and active play, featuring obstacle courses and water sports like volleyball and polo. Additional amenities include a swim-up bar where guests can enjoy cocktails and mocktails without leaving the water, as well as on-site restaurants, cabanas, and picnic areas.
“What distinguishes us is our unwavering commitment to safety, hygiene, and service, along with the incorporation of local culture into our offerings,” Nancy states.
“Looking ahead, we’re collaborating with international brands—like Marriott, with whom we’re developing a 253-bed hotel, and leading attractions suppliers such as ProSlide, Polin, and WhiteWater. We’ve also partnered with Polin on our first-phase project.
“All these elements make us unique and enhance the overall experience for our visitors.”
Expansion Plans
The scope of the project has expanded beyond the founders’ initial vision, according to Nancy:
“When we began, we envisioned a simple water park with a nearby hotel. We never anticipated how much it would evolve or the scale it has reached today.
“Now, we’re expanding into a complete 70,000-square-metre resort featuring a 5,000-square-metre family entertainment centre, a 252-bed family-oriented resort hotel, and developing the current waterpark into a 20,000-square-metre facility.”
The design now includes a comprehensive entertainment plan, which was not part of the original vision.
“Experiences, including attending international shows, have influenced our thinking and inspired us to broaden our offerings.
“We’re adding more attractions, diverse dining options—including food tourism and an all-inclusive dining experience—and new events, such as cultural displays, theatre, and performances at the wave pool.”
For the first time in Nigeria, the resort will also introduce a kids’ club within the hotel. “This is uncommon here, as most branded hotels focus on business. Incorporating leisure-focused hospitality has been a pleasant surprise, and we’re excited about how far we’ve come and what lies ahead.”
Park Vega and the Guest Experience
Park Vega prioritises visitor experience, aiming to create memorable days out that will encourage guests to return:
“We ensure we offer something for everyone through the attractions we select and by designing an entertainment plan with diversity in mind,” Nancy explains.
“For thrill-seekers, we have rides with significant drops and adrenaline-pumping moments. For families, we provide wave pools, toddler splash zones, and activities that everyone can enjoy together. Accessibility is also integrated into our design, with shaded areas, trained lifeguards, and attentive staff to cater to all ages.”
Training is also crucial, adds Ikechukwu:
“You can have all the best ideas, but if your lifeguards and attendants aren’t consistently trained, they can’t translate those ideas into an enhanced customer experience.
“Hospitality is just as vital as the rides themselves. If guests don’t feel welcomed and cared for, it defeats the whole purpose. That’s why training and reinforcing our values is a continuous process, especially in an environment where this kind of offering is still new.”
The Impact on the Local Community
Park Vega has transformed Delta State, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, from staff to local vendors and farmers.
“This was originally an agrarian community, and many farmers struggled to bring their produce to market,” Nancy explains. “By creating demand, we’ve provided them with a consistent outlet. Simultaneously, the demand for accommodation and transportation has surged. In many ways, we’ve boosted tourism and the local economy, which has been very impactful.”
“When we started, none of this existed,” Ikechukwu adds. Now, new hotels are being constructed in the area.
“With our expansion plans, the impact will only grow. Indirectly, we’re talking about potentially millions of benefits to the wider economy. Beyond economics, it’s been encouraging to see the community embrace the park. They’ve taken ownership, supporting security and ensuring the environment is safe. It’s become a community effort.”
Park Vega has attracted visitors from across Africa, including Kenya, South Africa, and Burkina Faso, and the team anticipates these numbers will rise as the resort expands and opens its branded hotel.
“Our vision is to be a pan-African destination, where people from across the continent can connect, experience each other’s cultures, and enjoy a place of fun and relaxation,” Nancy concludes.
Attractions in West Africa
The visitor attractions sector in West Africa is growing but remains in its early stages of development. New, high-quality facilities, such as water parks and resorts, are emerging, often adhering to international standards and encouraging further investment.
While infrastructure issues and visitor education present challenges, successful projects generate employment, bolster local businesses, and promote tourism. Overall, the region is witnessing increasing demand for leisure activities.
“We’re seeing real growth in the attractions industry in Nigeria and West Africa,” Ikechukwu states. “Park Vega is leading this shift by demonstrating that local parks can meet global standards and still be successful. Our goal is to inspire more investors, raise the bar for quality, and position the region as a destination for tourism and leisure.”
“Interestingly, after we launched the first phase of our project, two other water parks opened in Nigeria,” Nancy notes.
This illustrates the power of showcasing what’s possible and the economic impact it can create.
“Being the first mover is always challenging, but once people see success, it inspires them to believe in tourism and invest in it seriously. We’re pleased that our work has helped spark that belief and encouraged more investment in the industry.”
Passion and Innovation
Nancy offers her advice to entrepreneurs or investors looking to enter the attractions or leisure industry in Africa: start with market research.
“Identify the gaps in the market and don’t hesitate to try, even if it hasn’t been done before at that scale.”
She adds: “Prioritise safety and maintenance. Safety is critical, and proper maintenance ensures people trust your brand over time. Be patient; growth comes gradually. Also, when selecting a location, consider accessibility and security, which are always key.
“And above all, have passion. Passion is what drives you to keep innovating and to put smiles on people’s faces.”
Ikechukwu emphasises that constant innovation is vital:
“This market is eager for new experiences, and you can’t remain stagnant for long. Collaborate with governments and tourism boards, especially in infrastructure development, which is crucial in Africa.”
He agrees with Nancy that passion is essential. “I began as a chemical engineer, but my passion for making people happy led me here. That passion fuels our brainstorming, creativity, and vision for hospitality. This sector is unique in that you get to have fun while working, which makes it all the more rewarding.”
Looking ahead, the pair are excited about Park Vega’s expansion plans.
“We have a strong pipeline of projects that we can’t wait to deliver,” Ikechukwu shares. “We know they’ll bring joy to people, and we’re looking forward to growing across Africa, creating a chain of leisure products positioned in key markets. Growth is always at the forefront of our minds.”
