its not a good idea at all,but driving from nigeria to hell is the best and safest idea

@op, Just a quick pinch. Please don't be discouraged by all those cowards saying it's a bad idea. I can tell you majority of them have never even been to Abuja. This is one heck of a beautiful adventure. You will so enjoy it. I have been doing this since 2002 (i schooled in IB) and i must tell you, you can never regret it. And hey, guess what? My first year driving to and fro was in a Gulf 3 and you will never believe how many routes/towns i have driven through to Abuja. It's always exciting. Back then, my friends'd  say i was crazy for driving in a Golf 3 to Abuja.

Though you can't rule out the issue of insecurity in Nigeria, but I have never been robbed. Nevertheless, be careful. If you are a pounded-yam lover, i'd advise you to stop over at OWO and enjoy the "eighth wonder of the world" type of pounded-yam they have in that town. I can assure you, you'll never miss it on any of your subsequent trips.

I'd advise you choose the route number 2 and keep this quote in mind " If you decide to take Route 2 (outlined in one of the previous posts) watch out for the Ipele junction and the Ibilo junction. The Ibilo junction is easy to miss."

Hey, i need to run now. Break a leg!

Please fellow nairalanders, I am sorry to come inbetween this topic it is because I have not known how to start a topic. But I do need your honest advice.

I am a fresh masters degree holder with the interest of joining the Nigerian police force.

The problem is, I will be 29 by may this year and the age limit is 28 years. What can I do. Positive advice please since this is a career that I have been nursing for a very long time but never had the chance.

Thanks!

My dear friend that wants to join police force, pls give it and try. But more importantly, go for your Phd ASAP!

I have done that more than 20 times both day and night trips. But all that was between 1999 and 2004. I recall it used to take us about 12hrs when we started but later started taking 8hrs. We used to take commercial buses like ABC, EKENE DILI CHUKWU because they are the two that kept to time, hardly had technical problems on the way, had escorts, and back then flying cost alot.

However i hear 9ja has changed alot now with so many aviation companies now but also many armed robbery attacks on the way. I almost experienced one, when we all were asked to stop cos armed robbers were raiding in front. A jeep that succeeded in escaping was badly damaged with gunshots but noone died. This happened at Bida.

That's why i strongly advice u take a flight since ur major concern isn't the time spent on the way but ur safety.

You could use this options:

Lagos - Abuja is approximately 880km. that will take you 9 hours there about. I am sure you want to enjoy and take in sceneries on your way. Let me inform u that it is kinda exciting. you will see the transition in vegetation from the forest region to the savannah. However, you may also see a lot of accidented vehicles that could make your heart sick.

1. Use ABC coach. the luxurious bus that simulates the comfort of the plane with an in-built toilet facility. its a little slow but gives you the chance to meet and make friends with people and see things around. you could use an android or any good gadget with 3 good movies, in case you get bored.

2. Hire a very good car that will drive you from lagos to Abuja. the car, fully paid for is at your beck and call. you can stop, take pictures, buy fruits etc and continue your journey. that may be slightly expensive than the first option, but i don't think it is more expensive than flying.

Enjoy your stay in Nigeria!

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Geomac:

Don't try option 3

Plz i'll like to know more about Option 1: Lagos - Benin - Auchi - Okene - Lokoja - Abuja. I only want to stop over at Auchi
driving all the way from Lagos. I've heard so much about how bad the route is, it makes me feel arm-robbers operate during
the day. Can anyone tell me the current safety condition of this route, the potholes and how many hours will it take me driving
a good honda crv from Lagos to Auchi.

werepeLeri:

Yes you can use a sat nav if you buy from Third Dimension Technologies - they offer the very best in town. Call Yemmy on 0703 694 9019. If you have a Garmin, he will only load the Nigerian maps on your Garmin, if you dont have - just buy a Garmin Nuvi 265w with the maps loaded for 40k Naira.

You think this guys has 40k and still prefer to drive to Abuja from lagos

ZUBY77:

You think this guys has 40k and still prefer to drive to Abuja from lagos

He won't have to buy another one if he decides to travel down to other parts of d country.

I won't advice any one to do the road trip Lagos to Abuja because its a lot nerve cracking experience. I left Lagos with my friends as early as 6am , spent over 4 hours just after the redeem camp in traffic due to never finishing road construction which is what you will experience enroute Abuja.
The whole road network is plagued with half finished rehabilitation of roads, constant merging on outward and inward traffic, pot holes and bomb craters and lastly narrow bending roads.
We are still on the highway to abuja enroute Lokoja and have clocked over 14hours and won't be in abuja in another hour at the average of 100km per hour.
Take a flight at 10,000 naira via Aero and save your self the stress and fear of mad driving on a road network that is in a state of disrepair.

werepeLeri:
Its not like its that bad these days.

Option 1: Lagos - Benin - Auchi - Okene - Lokoja - Abuja

Option 2: Lagos - Akure - Owo - Ibilo - Okene - Lokoja - Abuja

Option 3: Lagos - Ilorin - Jebba - Bida - Abuja

Option 2 is what most transport companies use.

I have used all routes, never ever try Option 3 - bad roads.

Hello ppl am contemplating on the doing the above, is there any catch in option 1 especially around auchi. This appears to be my preferred route but will like to know if there's any heightened danger on the route

Hi, do you still drive from one city to another. We launched a platform where you can get trusted people going your way to hitch a ride with you and pay you a contribution to your fuel cost (if you wish). We have safety measures to combat security risks and protect both car owners and passengers.

Do check it out if you're interested - gomyway.com . Thanks

cliveland:
@ poster

naijas we always dramatize everything, i have had the pleasures of driving to and from abuja and even farther cities than it, security is subjective i have never been attacked on any road trip yet my cars has been stolen twice while in lagos once even at home just reversing for a neighbour to go out, planes crash, shit happens as they say.

if u enjoy road trip just get some1 who understands your destination the rest is Gods grace. 8 hours max you are in abuja from lagos except ur car crawls. though i do minimum 120kmph on highways.

Please, I want to travel to Kaduna by next week Thursday with Toyota Sienna 202 model, which route I can follow that is more best and safe, planning to as early as 4am.

metro10:
Abeg, fly ooh. I went tru last month. Left 6am got to abuja 8am. All my joints were paining me. I wont drive that road again. The worst was my coming back, the ibadan traffic was hell, oh my God. The story of that road is scary. Pls, don't travel it at night. You may never survive. My last night experience was horible, i spent the whole nite in the bush from armed robbers. We all ran into the bush, eeh, i finish prayer that night.
I will fly next time.

Pls can you shed more light on your experience. Let us learn more from it, we can pick one or two safety tips from this. Thanks