ILORIN TO LAGOS BY ROAD: A TRAVELER’S GUIDE

For the majority, road travel is the easiest and cheapest way of getting around the country and while in this case, air travel is more convenient, a trip by road is far cheaper and affords passengers a chance to take in the scenic route.
Ilorin is the capital of Kwara state, the largest city in the state and located in the North-central region, although close to the south-western region as well while Lagos is the commercial hub of the entire country and one of the most densely populated cities in the country as a result.

THE BEST PLACE(S) TO GET A LAGOS-BOUND VEHICLE IN ILORIN

Challenge/Post office Park: you can get a taxi to Challenge from pretty much anywhere for a maximum of seventy to hundred naira, you’ll then drop off at the flyover after the Skye Bank office and enter the park. Buses, taxis and minivans – you can get any vehicle of your choice in the park ranging in price from 1,700-2,000 naira.

N.B: it’s not so much a park as a stopping point for vehicles going to Lagos who just pick passengers along the way called Soole. While cheap however, they’re not the safest as Kidnappers sometimes make use of these kinds of buses to abduct unsuspecting passengers. It’s always advisable to travel from a proper park where your travel details can be documented.

Unity Park Not far from the Challenge Park, you ask the driver to drop you off after the First Bank branch there, adjacent KASMAG and just before the Zenith Bank branch. This is an established park with prices ranging from 2,200-2,600 naira, cheapest being the buses and the highest being the taxis and minivans.

Sawmill park: From anywhere in Ilorin you can pretty much get a taxi or commercial motorbike going in any direction you desire, but you specifically ask the driver to drop you at Sawmill instead of Sawmill garage, once there you can find the usual range of vehicles with prices ranging from 2,200-2,600 naira.

Offa Garage park : As usual in Ilorin, Hail a taxi or commercial motorbike and drop at the Offa Garage park, you’ll have to cross the road to get to the park, however. In the park, you can get a Lagos-bound vehicle in either of the two factions: RTEAN and NURTW. The prices range from 2,200-2,600 naira too. The best place to get a Lagos-bound vehicle however, is at Sawmill. You can get a vehicle here at pretty much any time and it’s the closest park to the outskirts of Ilorin.

WHAT/HOW TO PACK

-Pack as few bags as possible for easy management and to save cost, Drivers tend to charge extra for really big bags (especially the taxi and minivan drivers) and extra bags.

-Make sure you get to the park on time so you can pick a seat of your choice.

-When you get to the park you’ll be set upon by different *alabarus (porters loitering around waiting for passengers with heavy luggage) who’ll flat out demand to carry your bags to the vehicle going to your destination, you have a choice of firmly indicating a “No” with your head and walking past them or surrendering your bag(s) to them if they’re heavy, however be sure to keep a close watch on the porter and your bag(s)

-Inform your driver of any fragile items in your bag. It also helps to watch as the bags are being arranged to ensure your belongings aren’t squashed in a corner or under other heavy luggage. Keep all valuables with you

-On no condition should you have any sort of camouflage material with you as they’re banned and if found on your person, will lead to you being extorted for money by the policemen along the route and the vehicle being delayed.

-Watch what you eat before travelling, I’ve found it is better to err on the side of caution where public restrooms are concerned.

-Fill the personal information form that will be passed around beforehand. The transport company just might need to reach someone on your behalf.

TIME TAKEN

The trip from Ilorin to Lagos usually takes approximately 4hrs 30mins, taking into consideration road and weather conditions. However, the

SNACK AND RESTROOM OPTIONS

There are a variety of snacks to pick from at the park and you can buy whatever you want beforehand. Also along the way, you can buy some food items being hawked.

PERSONAL TIPS FOR THE FIRST-TIME TRAVELER TO LAGOS

• Evacuate your bowels before leaving the house.

• Make sure you fill the personal information form supplied to passengers and also take down the licence plate number of the vehicle and pass on to as many friends as possible (and make sure the driver sees you taking down the plate number)

• Make sure your most valuable possessions are kept close to hand in a carryon or a small bag, not just because of theft but also because of the way items are stacked carelessly in the trunk.

• I prefer sitting up front beside the driver, asides being the most comfortable seat in the vehicle, it’s also within easy reach of the charging port so you can listen to music, read, surf the internet (where coverage exists on the road) without running your battery flat. Barring that, leave the house with a full charge and a powerbank if you have one.

GETTING TO YOUR DESTINATION

Getting to Lagos, you’ll be dropped at Berger/Ojota/Oshodi. From any of those places you can find a bus/BRT or hail a taxi to your destination.
Have a Safe Trip!