LAGOS TO ABEOKUTA 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.

Lagos is the commercial hub of the entire country and one of the most densely populated cities in the country while Abeokuta is the capital of Ogun state; the largest city in the state located on the East Bank of the Ogun River, located very close to, and sharing a boundary with Lagos.

THE BEST PLACE(S) TO GET AN ABEOKUTA -BOUND VEHICLE IN LAGOS

Oshodi Park: Easy to locate in the city of Lagos, Dropping at the park (which is also easy to find), you’ll find the usual vehicles with prices ranging from 1,000-1,300 depending on the kind of vehicle taken, Buses go for circa 1,000 naira and the Minivans which are the most comfortable go for the 1,300 price.

Ojota /Ketu/ Berger Motor Parks: Take any Bus or BRT going to any of the aforementioned Parks and alight, go in to each in turn/choice and you’ll easily find the buses going to Abeokuta. Like at the Oshodi Park, Buses are predominant here and they go for around the same price range of 1,000 naira while the more comfortable Minivans go for about 300 naira more. The vehicles leaving from Ojota/Ketu and Berger drop passengers off at Kuto/Panseke or Ita-Osin depending on the part of Abeokuta you’re going to. Prices are consistent with all other Parks in Lagos

Sango, Abule-Egba, and Mowe-Ibafo: Like the Parks above, all in the same area and easy to locate. Drop at any of the Parks and you’ll find a vehicle of your choice headed to Abeokuta. The cheapest go for 1,000 naira and below while the most expensive and most comfortable (The Minivans) go for round 1,300-1,500 naira.

In addition to finding a vehicle at the motor parks, consider using one of the following road Transport Companies, which have terminals accross Lagos, for your road travel. God is Good Motors, ABC Transport Company, Chisco Transport, Cross Country Transport Limited and Guo Transport.

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, it is better to err on the side of caution where public restrooms are concerned. While this is always a valid precaution, the trip to Abeokuta is a very short one.

• 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 Lagos to Abeokuta usually takes approximately 45mins – 1 hour, taking into consideration road and weather conditions.

SNACK AND RESTROOM OPTIONS

There are a variety of snacks to pick from at the park and you can buy whatever you want beforehand. It’s a very short trip so usually you’ll find that you’ve gotten to your destination before exhaustion starts to creep in.

PERSONAL TIPS FOR THE FIRST-TIME TRAVELER TO ABEOKUTA

• 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 Abeokuta, you’ll be dropped off at any of these Bus stops: Ita-Osin, Kuto, Brewery, Lafenwa, Panseke, and Adatan. If any of the above isn’t part of your drop-off route, you can easily find another vehicle to your eventual destination.
Have a Safe Trip!

Related: IBadan to Lagos By Road: A Traveler's Guide