Ijebu Ode

Ijebu-Ode is a town in Ogun State in the South Western geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is close to the A121 highway. The city is about 110 km north-east of Lagos by road, and within 100 km (62 mi) of the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern part of Ogun State.

It had an estimated population of about 223,000 in 2006. It is home to Sungbo's Eredo, one of the largest ramparts in West Africa. It is the largest city inhabited by the Ijebus, a sub-group of the Yoruba ethnic group who speak the Ijebu dialect of Yoruba.

Understand

Wall of Oba Palace

History

Ijebu-Ode is historically and culturally the headquarters of Ijebuland. The name “Ijebu-Ode” is a combination of the names of two persons namely, Ajebu and Olode, who were conspicuous as leaders of the original settlers and founders of the town. By the 16th century, it was established as the chief town, and since pre-colonial times has been the capital of the Ijebu kingdom.

People

Ijebu-Ode is generally a Yoruba-speaking town with majority of the inhabitants speaking the local dialect known as Ijebu. However, in recent times, due to migration, colonization and inter-tribal marriage, Ijebu-Ode now comprises a mixture people who majorly speak the general Yoruba language, as opposed to the local dialect. Nevertheless, a considerable proportion of the population speaks English fluently.

Get in

By car

You can get to Ijebu Ode via Lagos Ibadan Express Road via Sagamu. The express road often ridden with traffic could take as long as 4 to 5 hours.

Shared cabs

From parks otherwise known as motor parks you can get public transport shared with other travellers particularly from Ojota, Oshodi and Ketu motor parks.

By train

You could go by train from Lagos Iddo Terminus to Ibadan and then taking a taxi to Ijebu Ode. The journey takes about 2 hr 30 min and cost ₦20,000 - ₦40,000 depending on the class on the train you choose.

By ferry

By ferry from CMS to Ebute Ikorodu then by taxi to Ijebu Ode then journey last about 2 hr and cost ₦15,000 - ₦20,000.

By plane

The journey via Lagos to Ibadan then a taxi to Ijebu Ode takes the longest and is the most expensive but is the most convenient journey, taking about 3 hours.

See

• 1 Sungbo's Eredo (A few kilometres southwest of Ijebu Ode). Built between 800-1000 AD, this large defensive system of walls and ditches is on Nigeria's tentative list of potential UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (updated May 2023)
• 2 Alagaba Wura, no 35 Isoku Street. 7:30AM-5:30PM. An historical landmark, it is very clean and serene.The inhabitants have a very regimented lifestyle and a call to prayer is given in the morning and evening. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Ojude Oba Arcade, Talbort - Awujale Street,. This location is where the Ojude Oba celebration takes place. This a ceremonial occasion that has held for over 150 years, a gathering of sons of Ijebuland where they celebrate their history and heritage.The highlight of this celebration is the age group celebration otherwise known as 'Regberegbe who appear in their different outfits.
  The wars of Ijebu are also simulated where the descendants of those warriors who fought engage in mock battles, they all dressed in ceremonial clothing. There is a lot of drumming, dancing, singing and horse-riding.
  Ijebu people have the reputation of being wealthy and this is displayed in this extravagant celebration with much splendour. The Paramount Ruler Oba Sikiru Adetona is focal in this celebration, a well-respected and revered Oba. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Ogbogbo-Ijebu, Idiko-ile, ☏ +2348053416937. It is the town hall where gatherings are held and social activities are carried out as well. In the days of old the people met with their King there. (updated Jun 2021)
• 5 Alhaji Olayinka Onakoya country home (Museum), 16 Ijagun Road, off Ondo/Benin Road. It is palatial and considered a museum. (updated Jun 2021)

Do

The town is home to several traditional events.

• 1 The Agemo Festival. Featuring horses with beautiful and vintage carts parading the streets of Ijebu-Ode in the hours of the morning and eventually ride to the palace of the king to celebrate. 
• 2 Omo Forest Reserve. The Omo Forest Reserve is home to over 200 types of trees, 8000 species of plants and 125 species of birds and mammals. It is the largest forest reserve in Ogun State. The Omo Forest has a river that lies within the 132,000 hectares of land. Visitors can practise fishing on this river. They can also try out activities practised in the reserve such as farming, elephant riding, camping, hunting, hiking and sawmilling. (updated Jan 2022)

Buy

• 1 Ace supermarket Ijebu Ode, Ijebu ode. Daily 8AM-9PM. In-store shopping. Delivery. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Lolese Store, Oshimore st, ☏ +234-813-107-5543. Daily 7AM-9PM. In-store shopping. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Amblone Home store, 6 Olayinka st,odomalasa, ☏ +234-803-246-6247. Daily 7:10AM-8:45PM. In-store shopping. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Quick Choice Phones, Folagbade st, ☏ +234-901-455-6129. M-Sa 8AM-6:30PM. In-store shopping. In-store pick up. Delivery. (updated Jun 2021)

Eat

• 1 Honey Crown Relishes, Bonojo st, ☏ +234-809-783-4010. Daily 8AM-9PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Double Gee Restaurant, Otunba Dipo Dine International Stadium, Idomila Rd, ☏ +234-809-082-0935. Daily 9AM-10PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Kroyal Restaurant, Folagbade st. Daily 8AM-8:30PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Kafeteria, 74 Ejirin Rd. Daily. Takeaway. (updated Jun 2021)
• 5 Mosun Cafe, Araromi St, ☏ +234-906-965-5612. Daily. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. (updated Jun 2021)
• 6 Mr Bigg's Ijebu Ode, 124 Folagbade St,120262, ☏ +234-704-305-0439. Daily 6:45AM-9PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. (updated Jun 2021)

Drink

• 1 Posh Bar & Lounge, Ijebu ode. M-Sa 6AM-midnight. Dine-in. Takeaway. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Tanmola Bar, Molipa Express way. 24 hr. Takeaway. Dine-in. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Gorgio's Bar, Old ondo-Benin Rd. Daily. Takeaway. Dine-in. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Pat Nkwobi Bar, 3 Tam balogun st, Igbeba Housing Estate, ☏ +234-815-561-6838. Daily. Takeaway. Dine-in. (updated Jun 2021)
• 5 Folake Bar, Oguntuga St. Daily 6AM-11PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Conference Hotel, Conference Avenue, ☏ +2348068983659. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Equipped with a lounge and garden. From ₦27,000. 
• 2 Grand Inn & Suites, Gateway Stadium Road, ☏ +2347032336777. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. You can always book this hotel remotely even before your visit. From ₦20,000. 
• 3 Pebbles Gold Hotel & Suites, Imodi Junction, ☏ +2347061184541. Check-out: noon. This hotel is budget-friendly and costs less than other hotels nearby. From ₦15,000. 

Cope

• 1 Odogbolu Ultramodern Primary Health Centre, Ejirin-Ijebu Ode Rd. 8AM-5PM. Health centre. (updated Jan 2022)