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Our African adventure brought us to another road trip that woke up the travel bugs in us. This time it was a road trip from Abuja to Lagos. Although the travel was between the two cities of the same country. The contrast between both the cities was extremely revelating and a unique experience for us. Our journey starts from the federal capital territory of Nigeria and ends at the party capital of the country. The distance between both the cities is roughly around 700 km and would take roughly 12 hours to cover. But we took time out to explore locations along the way while travelling between the cities.
A Trip Abuja To Lagos
1. Abuja
Our first trip begins at the administrative and political capital of Nigeria. And it is also one of the few purpose-built cities in Africa. The country is an important capital of Africa due to Nigeria’s influence on local affairs. The city also is one of the best-planned cities among all the well known African countries. And has a transportation system that is of top-notch standards. Furthermore, the public transportation system is effective and inexpensive. That makes travel within the city of Abuja pocket friendly and worth a try.
2. Kuje
40 km southwest of Abuja lies a council known as Kuje in the federal capital territory. Within the council is a place known as Almat farms. That offers a very peaceful and tranquil location away from the city noises. The farm has a small river that flows through the farm. The farms also grow organic vegetables for consumption and for sale in the local market. There are several other activities like horse riding, polo, ATV riding, dirt biking and other activities to try out when visiting Kuje.
3. Lokoja
Another not so popular but quiet and quaint stop on our way to Lagos was the small town of Lokoja. With practically one hotel in the entire town. The reason for the city not being popular can be understood. But, the people are very friendly and we were also invited to a local’s house for lunch. The town lies at the meeting point of the Niger and the Benue rivers. This ensures that the land in and around Lokoja stays rich and fertile.
4. Ado Ekiti
The lesser know town of Ado-Ekiti became popular with the locals. After 1967, the town was known to house one of the largest cotton weaving mills in the region. For this very reason, the little town of Ado-Ekiti became well known for its cotton weaving prowess and skills. The small town of Edo Ekiti is also known for its craftsman skills in pottery and shoemaking. It is also a commercial point for trading in crops like cocoa and timber. Crops like yam, plantains and cassava are often sold in the local market.
5. Ilesa
The next stop on our trip from Abuja to Lagos brought us to the town of Ilesa. The little town is home to large deposits of gold in massive quantities and several other minerals in considerable quantities. The most unique thing about the town is the presence of a statue made entirely of gold. The statue is of a famous tribe leader from Ilesa. And the statue represents the kind of influence he had on the people of the town.
6. Ile-Ife
The city of Ile-Ife is the only place in the world, where almost 364 days of the year has one or more festival for each day. And there is just one day where no religious events or festivals, that take place in the city of Ile-Ife. The city is popularly known as the ‘city of 401 deities’ among the locals. The Yoruba civilization has been living in the city for many generations and till date continues with their unique way of life.
7. Apomu
The next leg of our journey brings us to the little town of Apomu. The town is pretty silent and quiet until we come to talk about the town’s favourite food. Apomu is popularly for its heritage food namely Dodo Apomu. But. there is another close-by town know as Ikire that claims that the fruit belongs to them. Because of the town’s location on the federal highway. However, if one wishes to buy Dodo Apomu, one would have to head to the little town of Apomu. As the locals grow the fruit locally and are the best when picked up at the town of Apomu.
8. Ibadan
The city of Ibadan in Nigeria is home to Nigeria’s premium highest institution of learning known as the University Of Ibadan. Under British Colonial rule, the university came into being as a subsidiary of the University Of London. But, later in 1962, the university became an autonomous university. And since then the university has held the accolade of being one of the premier educational institutes in Africa.
9. Sagamu
The next stop before reaching the final leg of our destination is the city of Sagamu. The city of Sagamu is the largest kola nut collection centre in the country of Nigeria. The Kola nut industry also supports the many secondary industries like kola basket making and the rope industry. The city is a collection of 13 different and small towns in the Ogun state region. Sagamu was the old hub connecting the trade routes between the Niger Delta and the Yoruba mainland. Before the British invaded the country of Nigeria.
10. Lagos
The final destination of our road trip from Abuja came to an end in the city of Lagos. Lagos or Lasgidi are the names the city is popularly known as. It is practically the party capital of the country of Nigeria. The city is beaming with the hustle and bustle that one may find in a metropolitan city. But has still stayed true to its old roots and kept its own culture alive. While being inclusive of new trends and styles that are up for grabs in the international market. The city of Lagos has everything from nature to a noisy city, from entertainment to nightlife and from innovation to fashion. And the best part is the unique food rave that is alive in the city.
