Ilorin
Discover Ilorin
Ilorin is the capital city of Kwara State in North Central Nigeria. In 2020, it was home to an estimated 950,000 people. The city is a confluence of cultures, populated by the Fulani, Yoruba, Hausa, Nupe, Bariba and Kanuri tribes from across Nigeria, as well as foreign nationals. The city retains a strong Islamic influence, although Christianity is now widely practised in the cosmopolitan part of the city due to the significant immigration of people from other parts of Kwara State and the rest of Nigeria. English is commonly spoken and understood among the populace. However, Yoruba is the mother tongue of much of the people, and Hausa speakers may be found in some areas, particularly among roadside sellers of food and vegetables.
Taste of Ilorin...
Tanke Region. Ilorin is one of the best places you can't go around with an empty stomach because there are a lot of places to eat. Here are the few places to eat at Tanke. There are other regions where you can eat asides Tanke, these include: Drinks are available all over Ilorin. The major hotels have bars and restaurants where drinks can be purchased. Ilorin has some great hotels and guesthouses, meanwhile many more are being built. The cost of booking a hotel in Ilorin is cheaper when compared to other Nigerian cities like Lagos, Kaduna, and Abuja. In general, Ilorin has become a much safer place to visit than before, except for occasional clashes and violence, the state of security in the city has relatively improved with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars, CCTV cameras (though this isn't always the case). But beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places. While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone. The people of Ilorin are generally nice and friendly people, most of whom will readily offer directions to you if you are lost.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe city of Ilorin serves as a gateway between the northern and southern part of Nigeria. You can fly in from other Nigerian cities (Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna). The Ilorin international airport is also used for domestic flights to other cities within the country and international flights to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah. Rail services in Nigeria are still very slow and unreliable but several routes have reappeared. Nigerian Railway Corporation have daily services from Ilorin via Ibadan, and an overnight service from Kano via Kaduna a few times per week. A new higher speed railway is under construction and is expected to be completed in the 2020s, resulting in increased speeds and frequency. Several bus companies like Young Legacy, Mufsuf Motors, Kasmag line, Okin Express offers daily services from almost all major cities (Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Kaduna, Kabba, Lokoja, Sokoto, Kano, Makurdi, etc.) around the country....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
There are three modes of transiting within the State, which also extends to the region – the most popular being the conventional taxis. There are the commercial motor bicycles commonly called “Express”, and the more recent arrival on Ilorin’s roads, “Keke NAPEP”, imported commercial tricycles. If travelling around Ilorin, be sure to be accompanied by a tourist guide who is familiar with the routes. For the most part, it's safe to move about during the day. If you are going out at night, be sure to go in groups, and stick to known routes. Ilorin now has decent mass transit buses, courtesy of the Maigida Soludero Mass Transit (MST) schemes. The MST buses have their major terminal at Post Office area of Ilorin, and offer travel services to the University of Ilorin, Offa garage, Kwara State Polytechnic, Tanke, Oyun, and Sango. The tickets for the MST can be purchased at the bus stops before boarding. Tickets range from ₦50-150, as of 2021.
Where to Stay
Ilorin has some great hotels and guesthouses, meanwhile many more are being built. The cost of booking a hotel in Ilorin is cheaper when compared to other Nigerian cities like Lagos, Kaduna, and Abuja. In general, Ilorin has become a much safer place to visit than before, except for occasional clashes and violence, the state of security in the city has relatively improved with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars, CCTV cameras (though this isn't always the case). But beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places. While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone.
Money & Budget
Unless you are in a supermarket or restaurant/bar with fixed prices, you will be expected to negotiate the price you pay for an item down to the lowest the vendor would sell. When you are stuck in traffic, expect to see hawkers selling drinks and other forms of light refreshments. If you hold a Visa, MasterCard or Maestro credit/debit card you can withdraw cash in naira from various ATMs in Ilorin. Foreign currency, U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, or euros can be exchanged in various places, usually near large hotels, e.g., Kwara hotel and the airport. These are not formal bureaux de change and you will need to negotiate the exchange rate. Count your money in front of the exchanger, and don't be afraid to walk away if you are not happy with the deal.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
In general, Ilorin has become a much safer place to visit than before, except for occasional clashes and violence, the state of security in the city has relatively improved with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars, CCTV cameras (though this isn't always the case). But beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places. While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone. The people of Ilorin are generally nice and friendly people, most of whom will readily offer directions to you if you are lost.
Glimpses of Ilorin
a man standing in front of a body of water
Green-leafed plants
A Lioness in a Nigerian Zoo
a man standing in front of a body of water
Green-leafed plants
A Lioness in a Nigerian Zoo
a man standing in front of a body of water
Green-leafed plants
A Lioness in a Nigerian Zoo
a man standing in front of a body of water
Green-leafed plants
A Lioness in a Nigerian Zoo
a man standing in front of a body of water