Park Vega Waterpark, situated in Agbor, Delta State, in the southern part of Nigeria, is recognised as the first waterpark in West Africa built to meet international standards and is one of the largest of its kind in the region.
The park offers a variety of attractions for visitors. For thrill-seekers, there are large water slides, such as the Space-Hole, which whirls riders through a giant bowl, and the Freefall, providing a sensation of weightlessness. Families and children have their own designated areas, including a splash zone with shallow pools, tipping buckets, and smaller slides.
Additionally, the park features a sizable wave pool capable of creating waves over a meter high, an activity pool suitable for volleyball and other games, and a swim-up bar. Guests can also relax at the restaurants, shaded seating areas, and cabanas.
Park Vega has had an impact on its surrounding community. The area was primarily agricultural before the park opened, and the project has brought new jobs, increased demand for local produce, and stimulated the growth of nearby hotels and transportation services. It has also attracted visitors from across Nigeria and other African countries.
The park is viewed as part of a broader shift in the region’s attractions industry, showcasing that leisure facilities in Nigeria can meet global standards. It has also been recognised by international associations in the sector for its quality and practices.
To find out more, we speak to Park Vega’s founders: Ikechukwu Orji, managing partner, and Nancy Orji, managing director. They discuss the park’s mission and their ambitious plans for the future.
A world-class leisure destination for Nigeria
Park Vega was born out of the desire to create a world-class leisure destination that would redefine entertainment in Nigeria and West Africa.
“The inspiration came from noticing a gap: while Nigerians love fun and adventure, there are very few high-quality, safe, and innovative water parks in the region,” says Ikechukwu.
“Our vision was to build a park that could rival global standards, offering thrilling rides, family-friendly attractions, and a clean, secure environment where people could create unforgettable memories. That was the inspiration.”
However, bringing a facility like this to Nigeria came with several hurdles:
“The first and most pronounced was infrastructure—ensuring consistent power, reliable water supply, and world-class construction in a region that previously had little tourism infrastructure,” says Nancy. “That was very demanding.”
The second major challenge was changing people’s perceptions.
“Many in the area were used to smaller water bodies, and here we were introducing a very large one. It took time to educate the market on safety standards and to convince visitors that the park could compete on an international level. We had to show them that the safety measures were on par with water parks around the world and that the pools weren’t too deep, so even non-swimmers could feel comfortable.
“Over time, we’ve overcome those challenges. On infrastructure, we received government support to bring critical services to the area. On 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 is a mix of adrenaline-pumping slides and interactive zones for kids.
A key feature is the 1,500-square-metre wave pool, which holds approximately 500,000 gallons of water. This wave pool simulates ocean waves up to 1 metre high using advanced pneumatic technology.
Thrill slides include the Space-Hole Slide, which has 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 element. The Freefall Slide features a steep drop that creates a brief feeling of floating. The Black-Hole Wave Combo Slide combines steep drops with wave features, providing a dynamic and exciting experience.
Kids and families can enjoy a range of water attractions and facilities. The Aqua Tower and Splash Pad feature over 50 interactive components, including tipping buckets, water wheels, net bridges, slides, umbrella jets, and more, all built with anti-slip surfaces and shallow depths for greater safety.
The Activity Pool offers opportunities for fun and active play, featuring obstacle courses and water sports such as 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 sets us apart is our non-negotiable focus on safety, hygiene, and service, as well as the infusion of local culture into our offerings,” says Nancy.
“Looking ahead, we’re partnering 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 worked with Polin on our first-phase project.
“Altogether, these elements make us unique and enhance the overall experience for our visitors.”
Expansion plans
The scope of the project has grown from the pair’s initial vision, says Nancy:
“When we started, we imagined 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 with a 5,000-square-metre family entertainment centre, a 252-bed family-inspired resort hotel, and developing the current waterpark to a 20,000-square-meter waterpark”
The design now incorporates a complete entertainment plan, which wasn’t part of the original vision.
“Experiences, including attending international shows, have shaped our thinking and inspired us to broaden our offerings.
“We’re adding more attractions, more 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. “That is something uncommon here, as most branded hotels are business-focused. 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 places an emphasis on visitor experience, aiming to create memorable days out that will keep guests returning again and again:
“We make sure we offer something for everyone through the attractions we choose and by designing an entertainment plan with diversity in mind,” says Nancy.
“For thrill-seekers, we have rides with big drops and adrenaline-pumping moments. For families, we offer wave pools, toddler splash zones, and activities that everyone can enjoy together. Accessibility is also built into our design, with shaded areas, trained lifeguards, and attentive staff to cater to all ages.”
Training is also key, 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 important as the rides themselves. If guests don’t feel welcome 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 been a game changer in Delta State, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, from staff to local vendors to farmers.
“This was originally an agrarian community, and many farmers struggled to bring their produce to market,” says Nancy. By creating demand, we’ve given them a consistent outlet. At the same time, demand for accommodation and transportation has grown significantly. In many ways, we’ve boosted tourism and the local economy, which has been very impactful.”
“When we started, none of this existed,” adds Ikechukwu. 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. And 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 an integrated community effort.”
Park Vega has attracted visitors from across Africa, including Kenya, South Africa, and Burkina Faso, and the team expects those numbers to increase 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 one place of fun and relaxation,” says Nancy.
Attractions in West Africa
The visitor attractions sector in West Africa is expanding 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 pose challenges, successful projects generate employment, bolster local businesses, and promote tourism. Overall, the region is experiencing increasing demand for leisure activities.
“We’re seeing real growth in the attractions industry in Nigeria and West Africa,” says Ikechukwu. “Park Vega is leading this shift by showing 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,” says Nancy.
This shows the power of demonstrating what’s possible and the economic impact it can create.
“Being the first mover is always difficult, 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 shares her advice to entrepreneurs or investors looking to enter the attractions or leisure industry in Africa: start with market research.
“Find the gaps in the market and don’t be afraid 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 choosing 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 says that constant innovation is essential:
“This market is hungry for new experiences, and you can’t stay in one position for long. Collaborate with governments and tourism boards, particularly in infrastructure development, which is crucial in Africa.”
He agrees with Nancy that passion is crucial. “I began as a chemical engineer, but my passion for making people happy led me here. That passion drives our brainstorming, our creativity, and our 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,” says Ikechukwu. “We know they’ll make people happy, and we’re looking forward to growing across Africa, creating a chain of leisure products positioned in key markets. Growth is always at the top of our minds.”
