Business has demanded that I go to Ilorin next week.

I feel it is a sin to have a car and use public transportation.

Certainly those whose loved ones have cars and who have perished in public transportation will agree.

I place a great premium on life and so do not take unnecessary risks and my vehicle is very well maintained.

Google suggests two routes - Via Niger State and Via Kogi State.

Here Maps suggests three routes - two via Kogi and one via Niger State

Is there another route? You know, You cannot find the route taken by commercial vehicles from Lagos to Abuja via Google!

The other issue is what is the state of that road?

Is it safe to drive?

What should I be worried of?

What should I plan for?

What should I look out for?

Thanks

FEGEITOK:
Business has demanded that I go to Ilorin next week.

I feel it is a sin to have a car and use public transportation.

Certainly those whose loved ones have cars and who have perished in public transportation will agree.

I place a great premium on life and so do not take unnecessary risks and my vehicle is very well maintained.

Google suggests two routes - Via Niger State and Via Kogi State.

Is there another route? You know, You cannot find the route taken by commercial vehicles from Lagos to Abuja via Google!

The other issue is what is the state of that road?

Is it safe to drive?

What should I be worried of?

What should I plan for?

What should I look out for?

Thanks

Follow Kogi route. don't follow Minna Jebba route, Na evil route with heavy crater infested road be that.

kingreign:


Follow Kogi route. don't follow Minna Jebba route, Na evil route with heavy crater infested road be that.

Thanks.

Even for the Kogi road, just run a search on Lokoja Kabba Ilorin road.

The narrative on this road online is very disheartening!

Who has plied it recently?

What happens if it rains? Does it flood?

This time last year the road was in a mess, can't really know the present state. Just try and leave early and go with a strong car.

vlco:
This time last year the road was in a mess, can't really know the present state. Just try and leave early and go with a strong car.

Thanks.

How many hours does it take?

FEGEITOK:


Thanks.

Even for the Kogi road, just run a search on Lokoja Kabba Ilorin road.

The narrative on this road online is very disheartening!

Who has plied it recently?

What happens if it rains? Does it flood?

The road is manageable.....you can choose to connect Kabba from Lokoja via Obajana.

As for the the Jebba-Mokwa route,I won't advise anybody to ply that route except under the strict instructions of a truck driver who can tell you the current state of the expressway.

aieromon:


The road is manageable.....you can choose to connect Kabba from Lokoja via Obajana.

As for the the Jebba-Mokwa route,I won't advise anybody to ply that route except under the strict instructions of a truck driver who can tell you the current state of the expressway.

Thanks for your words of comfort.

Anyways, I will keep you informed via this thread if and when I go.

FEGEITOK:


Thanks.

How many hours does it take?

Lokoja to Ilorin should be about 4-5 hours, then add Abuja to Lokoja.

I used this road last year, it's manageable. I'm not sure how good lokoja - obajana - kabba is tho. I'd rather you go through lokoja - okene-kabba.

Drive safe when you do go

Sometime around 2014, I had a wedding to attend in Minna - Niger State.

I drove from Lagos to Ilorin & spent a day with a friend. The following morning I took off with my friend around 6am and we hit the Jebba - Mokwa road. That road wasn't that bad, but from Mokwa to Bida, Goddamnit! I had wanted to turn back.

Imagine a road that stretches 108km(Mokwa to Bida), tarred with unlimited number of craters. The maximum speed I could do was 40km - throughout the entire journey, ofcourse there were commercial vehicles doing about 60km but you could tell their shocks were no longer in place.

At a point, I pulled over, and my friend took over. After about an hour, I slept & woke up. I asked my friend if IBB & Abdulsalam ply this route? He said maybe. I cursed every politician in Niger State that day. My eyes were heavy but I just couldn't sleep due to the craters.

I must have spent more than 3hours on that route alone but from Bida to Minna, the road was a lil' bit good. On our way back, we were advised to ply another route except that it was twice in distance in comparison to that god-forsaken route.

If I ever visit Minna again, Insha Jesus, it would be in my Eurocopter X3.

hello guys and girls, I appreciated your advice to the guy going to Lagos from Abuja.

Please advice me as well.

Most of my special advisers LOL are using 2014 and 2015 experience.

But that is problematic because the current state of the road to Benin from Abuja was pretty good in 2014 and 2015 compared to what it is now. Who knows if that is not the case with the route to Ilorin

I am going to Ilorin from Abuja.

God bless you.

CC:
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niyinficient
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vlco:
Lokoja to Ilorin should be about 4-5 hours, then add Abuja to Lokoja.

So we are considering about 4-5 hours plus 2-3 hours

between 6 and 8 hours total driving time conditions being favourable

Every other route is advisable but u see Jebba-Mokwa-Lapai-Suleja road, bros no try am o...dunno if work has resumed on the Jebba 'death trap' tho!

FEGEITOK:


So we are considering about 4-5 hours plus 2-3 hours

between 6 and 8 hours total driving time conditions being favourable

Yes, the Lokoja kabba Ilorin route is not that bad, Wishing you a safe trip.

FEGEITOK:
hello guys and girls, I appreciated your advice to the guy going to Lagos from Abuja.

Please advice me as well.

Most of my special advisers LOL are using 2014 and 2015 experience.

But that is problematic because the current state of the road to Benin from Abuja was pretty good in 2014 and 2015 compared to what it is now. Who knows if that is not the case with the route to Ilorin

I am going to Ilorin from Abuja.

God bless you.

CC:
oloriooko
olayinkaoj
crown01
femimat
niyinficient
yinkslinks
ritux
des4ella
elhabeeb1
reiyvinn
greatbrian
ogawisdom
ymodulus
laolay2g
yakbauer
fit2rule
ejagbangba

My Advice is as recent as Last week back, Two weeks Back.


[size=15pt]ROUTES[/size]

■Abuja - Minna - Illorin
-Abuja -suleja -Minna city ( Tow Gate at Secretariat )
This road to me is the best. The road from Abuja to Suleja to Minna has been repaired qith no single Port Hole. Some may think am exaggerating, i state that i am not.
The road been a federal Government road was repaired by the Niger state government.
Minna - Abuja is just an Hour 30mins with a speed of 130km/hr.
note the road is free, wide , standard. ( I ran Minna - Suleja around the kerosene tank well owned by the Abia state governent in 58mims. 135km/h )


*Minna - Gidan Kwano ( location of prestigious Futminna ) - Bida
The road is not that bad. when you get to NECO HeadQuarters and close to Risk Management office from that area down to Bida Round About around the Big Mosque is not too good. port holes. Though not all the road, road around Maizube farms owned by Abdulsam is perfect.
I dont think Gidan Kwano - Bida should be a problem as its a 45min journey on 100km/h.

I am so sure of this route cause i do go to one of the biggest yam market around there to run my biz.

*Bida - Mokwa - Jebba Bridge
Soooooooooooooooooooooooo perfect. New tarr, still dark and fresh, smooth.

*Jebba Bridge - Illorin
From Pako to BiriBiri is not good. it is bad.

However from Bode Sadamu down to Illorin na one way. Note, I always follow the route where i burts out at the new Ilorin High way at the bridge i take the left towards Ilorin Airport road which is close Geri Alimi Round About.

This is illorin and from there shouldnt be a problem. I dont know ilorin much Just Geri Alimi, Tanke, Taiwo, Basin Area.


■ Abuja - Lokoja - Obajana - Kabba - Ekiti - Illorin

From Airport road down following the Shehu Musa Yaradua way down to Lokoja is smooth.
Though note that the lane from lokoja is not as smooth as lane from Abuja to lokoja.

When you get to Lokoja around the International Market take your right straight to around 100km there is a Y junction take same right to Obajana then to Kabba.

State of Obajana Road: Obajana Road is in a state of total Disarray ( Too much portholes ans the road is not tarred in several area, even where the road is tarr has several portholes. However This seems to be the shortest route.

Kabba Road is also not that good. however from One end of ekiti to the other end is okay.

Note: There are two roads to ilorin from Ekiti.
1. Through Ifaki - Omu Aran - Ijara Isin directly into Illorin around kukulende Market area.

2. Through Aramoko - Ijesin - Inisa -Offa - Ilorin. ( i dont follow this route anylonger, its usually empty. You wont see vehicles on the road. And believe me security is something of utmost concern. Drom offa to illorin is busy but before offa is a no. please take route 1)

Take Route 1, even Some bike men all way from Kwara state working in Ado Ekiti take this route.

Sunmary: Abuja - Lokoja- Kabba - Ekiti - Ilorin ( through Omu Aran Route )


■. Abuja - Lokoja - Okene - Ekiti - Kwara ( Do not follow this route. Public behicles dont follow this area. )




THINGS TO Be worried Of?
Nothing. As long as your car is in good conditions ans brake is okay, just fire dei go one way.

You might need the Ac of your car working because around Obajana is extremely dusty.

You should have valid documents. custom paper might not really be a problem as i rarely see custom officials on this side of the road. I mean the recommended route i laid down below.

*Have valid Driving license.
*Have Fire extinguisher, C- Caution, Spare Tyre. This means no bribe to any official on the road. Except you wish too.
* Please if your tinted permit is the old vehicle tinted permit, kindly have the tint off. Else you just attracting problems for yourself. Those highway patrol are much around kwara.

Recommended Route: Abuja - Lokoja- Obajana - Kabba - Ekiti - Ilorin ( through Omu Aran Route ).


My experience- A week - 3weeks old.

Niyinficient:
Every other route is advisable but u see Jebba-Mokwa-Lapai-Suleja road, bros no try am o...dunno if work has resumed on the Jebba 'death trap' tho!

I dont think he necessarily has to go from Mokwa - Lapai - Suleja, he can go through minna city.

Suleja Road has been repaired. Just recently.

FEGEITOK:

So we are considering about 4-5 hours plus 2-3 hours
between 6 and 8 hours total driving time conditions being favourable

Abuja - Mokwa - Ilorin = 8hours
Abuja - Ekiti = 5hours 30 mins to Ado Ekiti,
Ekiti - Illorin = Around 2-3hours ( i cant recall).

Ymodulus:


My Advice is as recent as Last week back, Two weeks Back.


[size=15pt]ROUTES[/size]




Note: There are two roads to ilorin from Ekiti.
1. Through Ifaki - Omu Aran - Ijara Isin directly into Illorin around kukulende Market area.

2. Through Aramoko - Ijesin - Inisa -Offa - Ilorin. ( i dont follow this route anylonger, its usually empty. You wont see vehicles on the road. And believe me security is something of utmost concern. Drom offa to illorin is busy but before offa is a no. please take route 1)

Take Route 1, even Some bike men all way from Kwara state working in Ado Ekiti take this route.

Sunmary: Abuja - Lokoja- Kabba - Ekiti - Ilorin ( through Omu Aran Route )


■. Abuja - Lokoja - Okene - Ekiti - Kwara ( Do not follow this route. Public behicles dont follow this area. )

there is a 3rd route. Take a right at Oye-Ekiti then thru Iye - ekiti then to kwara. This route bypasses omuaran. It's what most transporters use. It's what I used last year when I did that route.



From abuja to minna as you said is good. Drove to Lambata 2wks back. Potholes covered.


Nice write-up.

Specialist900:
there is a 3rd route. Take a right at Oye-Ekiti then thru Iye - ekiti then to kwara. This route bypasses omuaran. It's what most transporters use. It's what I used last year when I did that route.



From abuja to minna as you said is good. Drove to Lambata 2wks back. Potholes covered.


Nice write-up.

thanks bro.

I think i know that oye ekiti

Ymodulus:

I dont think he necessarily has to go from Mokwa - Lapai - Suleja, he can go through minna city.

Suleja Road has been repaired. Just recently.



Abuja - Mokwa - Ilorin = 8hours
Abuja - Ekiti = 5hours 30 mins to Ado Ekiti,
Ekiti - Illorin = Around 2-3hours ( i cant recall).

Bros! Whr will he pass to Minna from Ilorin if not Jebbba-Mokwa- road?

U wont av to get to Ado Ekiti if u ar going to Abuja to Ilorin. After entering from Kaba to Ikole-Omuo road, u enter Otun from Oye-Ayegbaju Ekiti. Otun is d Border to Kwara state. U won't av to get to Ado-Ekiti

vlco:
Yes, the Lokoja kabba Ilorin route is not that bad, Wishing you a safe trip.

Amen

Niyinficient:


Bros! Whr will he pass to Minna from Ilorin if not Jebbba-Mokwa- road?

U wont av to get to Ado Ekiti if u ar going to Abuja to Ilorin. After entering from Kaba to Ikole-Omuo road, u enter Otun from Oye-Ayegbaju Ekiti. Otun is d Border to Kwara state. U won't av to get to Ado-Ekiti

Aswear, you sabi road...choi

FEGEITOK:


Amen

abuja - lokoja - okene - kabba - omuo - ikole - oye- Iye - aiyede - aiyegunle- ilofa- omuaran - ilorin.



This is your best route. It's what most transporters use

Ymodulus:


My Advice is as recent as Last week back, Two weeks Back.


[size=15pt]ROUTES[/size]

■Abuja - Minna - Illorin
-Abuja -suleja -Minna city ( Tow Gate at Secretariat )
This road to me is the best. The road from Abuja to Suleja to Minna has been repaired qith no single Port Hole. Some may think am exaggerating, i state that i am not.
The road been a federal Government road was repaired by the Niger state government.
Minna - Abuja is just an Hour 30mins with a speed of 130km/hr.
note the road is free, wide , standard. ( I ran Minna - Suleja around the kerosene tank well owned by the Abia state governent in 58mims. 135km/h )


*Minna - Gidan Kwano ( location of prestigious Futminna ) - Bida
The road is not that bad. when you get to NECO HeadQuarters and close to Risk Management office from that area down to Bida Round About around the Big Mosque is not too good. port holes. Though not all the road, road around Maizube farms owned by Abdulsam is perfect.
I dont think Gidan Kwano - Bida should be a problem as its a 45min journey on 100km/h.

I am so sure of this route cause i do go to one of the biggest yam market around there to run my biz.

*Bida - Mokwa - Jebba Bridge
Soooooooooooooooooooooooo perfect. New tarr, still dark and fresh, smooth.

*Jebba Bridge - Illorin
From Pako to BiriBiri is not good. it is bad.

However from Bode Sadamu down to Illorin na one way. Note, I always follow the route where i burts out at the new Ilorin High way at the bridge i take the left towards Ilorin Airport road which is close Geri Alimi Round About.

This is illorin and from there shouldnt be a problem. I dont know ilorin much Just Geri Alimi, Tanke, Taiwo, Basin Area.


■ Abuja - Lokoja - Obajana - Kabba - Ekiti - Illorin

From Airport road down following the Shehu Musa Yaradua way down to Lokoja is smooth.
Though note that the lane from lokoja is not as smooth as lane from Abuja to lokoja.

When you get to Lokoja around the International Market take your right straight to around 100km there is a Y junction take same right to Obajana then to Kabba.

State of Obajana Road: Obajana Road is in a state of total Disarray ( Too much portholes ans the road is not tarred in several area, even where the road is tarr has several portholes. However This seems to be the shortest route.

Kabba Road is also not that good. however from One end of ekiti to the other end is okay.

Note: There are two roads to ilorin from Ekiti.
1. Through Ifaki - Omu Aran - Ijara Isin directly into Illorin around kukulende Market area.

2. Through Aramoko - Ijesin - Inisa -Offa - Ilorin. ( i dont follow this route anylonger, its usually empty. You wont see vehicles on the road. And believe me security is something of utmost concern. Drom offa to illorin is busy but before offa is a no. please take route 1)

Take Route 1, even Some bike men all way from Kwara state working in Ado Ekiti take this route.

Sunmary: Abuja - Lokoja- Kabba - Ekiti - Ilorin ( through Omu Aran Route )


■. Abuja - Lokoja - Okene - Ekiti - Kwara ( Do not follow this route. Public behicles dont follow this area. )




THINGS TO Be worried Of?
Nothing. As long as your car is in good conditions ans brake is okay, just fire dei go one way.

You might need the Ac of your car working because around Obajana is extremely dusty.

You should have valid documents. custom paper might not really be a problem as i rarely see custom officials on this side of the road. I mean the recommended route i laid down below.

*Have valid Driving license.
*Have Fire extinguisher, C- Caution, Spare Tyre. This means no bribe to any official on the road. Except you wish too.
* Please if your tinted permit is the old vehicle tinted permit, kindly have the tint off. Else you just attracting problems for yourself. Those highway patrol are much around kwara.

Recommended Route: Abuja - Lokoja- Obajana - Kabba - Ekiti - Ilorin ( through Omu Aran Route ).


My experience- A week - 3weeks old.

Thanks for the detailed and modular response.

You answered the questions:
- Which route is safe to drive and why?
-What should I be worried of?
- What should I plan for
- What should I look out for?

You have been so kind.

You basically wrote a treatise on going to Ilorin and back from Abuja.

You provided landmarks and even approximate driving time from various points.

You not only recommended routes, but provided reasons for doing so. You also provided alternative routes (handy in case something goes wrong and it becomes necessary to divert)

Thanks for also providing the context - your advice based on your experiences less than a month old.

I really appreciate, could you throw more light on the state of the roads from Obajana to Ilorin, although from the analysis above, going through Niger State is better!

Is my analysis right that from Jebba bridge to Ilorin is about 3 hours 30 minutes?

I can see you have timelines for the Niger route but no timelines for the Kogi route

In summary:


1. Abuja - Suleja - Minna - Bida - Mokwa - Jebba Bridge - Ilorin (8 hours) RECOMMENDED
--Abuja to Minna: Good 1hour 30 minutes
--Minna to Bida: part 1 (up to NECO) not that bad, part 2 (up to Bida R/About) not too good, part 3 (Around Maizube Farms) near perfect 1 hour
--Bida to Mokwa to Jebba Bridge: Perfect 2hours
--Jebba Bridge to Ilorin: part 1(Pako to Biri Biri) is bad, part 2(Bode Sadamu to Ilorin) is good 3hours 30minutes

2. Abuja - Lokoja - Kabba - Ekiti - Ilorin (9 hours) via Omu Aran RECOMMENDED
--Abuja to Lokoja: Fairly smooth 2hours
--Lokoja to Obajana: Total Disarray although it is the shortest link ?
-- Obajana to Kabba: Not that good except from one end of ekiti to the other end of Ekiti ?
--Kabba to Ilorin:Not that good except from one end of ekiti to the other end of Ekiti ?

3. Abuja - Lokoja - Okene - Ekiti - Ilorin NOT RECOMMENDED

In short you recommend two routes, but your heart is really with the Niger State route given how much facts and details you have provided for that one!

Niyinficient:
Every other route is advisable but u see Jebba-Mokwa-Lapai-Suleja road, bros no try am o...dunno if work has resumed on the Jebba 'death trap' tho!

Seems things have changed on the Jebba Road. I do not know if the route recommended below goes through Lapai.

It seems you can go through Jebba to Ilorin without going through Lapai

Specialist900:
I used this road last year, it's manageable. I'm not sure how good lokoja - obajana - kabba is tho. I'd rather you go through lokoja - okene-kabba.

Drive safe when you do go

Noted.

Obajana is a big no no.

Thanks

Specialist900:
there is a 3rd route. Take a right at Oye-Ekiti then thru Iye - ekiti then to kwara. This route bypasses omuaran. It's what most transporters use. It's what I used last year when I did that route.



From abuja to minna as you said is good. Drove to Lambata 2wks back. Potholes covered.


Nice write-up.

So are you saying

Abuja - Lokoja- Kabba -Oye Ekiti - Iye Ekiti - Ilorin?

Is it shorter or are the roads better? from the map Omu Aran seems to be a major road?

FEGEITOK:


So are you saying

Abuja - Lokoja- Kabba -Oye Ekiti - Iye Ekiti - Ilorin?

Is it shorter or are the roads better? from the map Omu Aran seems to be a major road?

there was a portion between otun ekiti and omuaran that was bad. I don't know if it has been fixed now. But as at the last time it was thru Iye ekiti I went. The route is faster than going thru ifaki - ido-osi - ayetoro - moba/otun - omuaran - ilorin.

I've been trying to lock the route on Google map but it's not selecting it. I could have posted a screen shot of it

FEGEITOK:


So are you saying

Abuja - Lokoja- Kabba -Oye Ekiti - Iye Ekiti - Ilorin?

Is it shorter or are the roads better? from the map Omu Aran seems to be a major road?

Omu Aran is a border town linking Ekiti to Ilorin, Kwara State. From Kabba,you will pass through Ekiti towns (Omuo-Ikole-Oye-Iye-Otun) before reaching Omu-Aran in Kwara state.

Passing Obajana to connect Kabba is just to avoid the Okene portion of the expressway. Both roads are poor only that Obajana does not have the crazy drivers overtaking and all. Consider the Obajana route if you don't have good shocks and liver to drive like a mad man in this rainy season.

Specialist900:
there was a portion between otun ekiti and omuaran that was bad. I don't know if it has been fixed now. But as at the last time it was thru Iye ekiti I went. The route is faster than going thru ifaki - ido-osi - ayetoro - moba/otun - omuaran - ilorin.

I've been trying to lock the route on Google map but it's not selecting it. I could have posted a screen shot of it

thanks brother

aieromon:


Omu Aran is a border town linking Ekiti to Ilorin, Kwara State. From Kabba,you will pass through Ekiti towns (Omuo-Ikole-Oye-Iye-Otun) before reaching Omu-Aran in Kwara state.

Passing Obajana to connect Kabba is just to avoid the Okene portion of the expressway. Both roads are poor only that Obajana does not have the crazy drivers overtaking and all. Consider the Obajana route if you don't have good shocks and liver to drive like a mad man in this rainy season.

Thanks brother

FEGEITOK:


Seems things have changed on the Jebba Road. I do not know if the route recommended below goes through Lapai.

It seems you can go through Jebba to Ilorin without going through Lapai

It wiill b good if d road is better now. Lapai is way back. u can get to Ilorin frm abuja through paiko to Minna to bida to mokwa To Jebba witout passing lapai

abimbawealth:

Aswear, you sabi road...choi

!

Lol! No b ma fault, I wan knw every state for naija, I never even start sef