Osogbo

Osogbo (Oshogbo) is a city of almost 400,000 people (2016) in Osun State in Southwest Nigeria. Osogbo, sometimes called "Ile Aro" (home of dyeing), is a major dyeing centre.

Understand

The traditional dyeing industry is one of the major industries of Osogbo and the different types of Adire in Osogbo includes Raffia Resist-Adire Oniko, Stitch Resist-Adire Alabere, Starch Resist-Adire Eleko, Wax Batik-Adire Alabele.Osogbo is also a centre of arts in SW Nigeria and has the highest concentration of art galleries which display woodcarving, paintings and other forms of art.

Get in

Osogbo is along the railway from Lagos to Kano.

It is 88 km by road northeast of Ibadan, 108 km (67 mi) by road south of Ilorin, and 108 km (67 mi) northwest of Akure.

Get around

Blue mini buses(Korope) and motorcycles are common within Osogbo and they are majorly the primary means of transport.You can decide to make use of either the buses or motorcycles depending on your choice and how fast you want to move.

Climate

The rainy season in Osogbo is humid, muggy, and partially cloudy, whereas the dry season is warm, oppressive, and overcast. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 65°F and 93°F; it is rarely lower or higher than 60°F or 98°F.

The best time of year to visit Osogbo for hot-weather activities is from late November to early February, according to the beach/pool score.

See

A temple in Osun-Osogbo

Osogbo central mosque

• 1 Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. A sacred forest along the banks of the Ọsun (Oshun) River just outside the city, dedicated to the river goddess. The Osun-Osogbo Grove is among the last of the sacred forests which usually adjoin the edges of most Yoruba cities before extensive urbanization, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  
• 2 Nelson Mandela Freedom Park (Osun Park). Open 24 hours. Not a lot to see, but a tribute to the man from South Africa in the form of a 15 m or so tall statue, plus some statues of fruit nearby (banana, pineapple) - somewhat unique. But the neighborhood is rather rough looking right next to the train station. Best not to go after dark. (updated Aug 2020)
• Oja Oba Market Building. The building, said to be the former Oba's palace, within yards of the Osogbo Grand Mosque. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Oun Oshogbo Shrine. Historical spot where international festival themed Osun Osogbo festival takes place initiates,followers, worshippers and ardents of the religion gather to worship and celebrate Oun an Orisa in Yoruba civilization. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Museum Palace. It is a gallery the houses the history of the people of Osogbo contain artefacts and treasures representing their history. (updated Jun 2021)
• 5 Busseyin Shrine. This museum is set up as a conservative of the work of Susanne Wenger known as Adunni Olorisha a custodian of the sacred Osun Culture. (updated Jun 2021)
• 6 Genesis Art Gallery. 8AM-5PM. Genesis Art Gallery showcases the indigenous works of talented carvers the gallery houses a plethora of art work majorly wood carvings.The quality of the work speak for themselves about the time invested in them. (updated Jun 2021)
• 7 El-Carvers Arts Gallery. 8AM-6PM. A gallery with lovely pieces and upcoming art enthusiasts in Osogbo and environs are trained. Students are taught to draw for initial three months before going to wood carving. (updated Jun 2021)
• 8 African Heritage Gallery. The African Heritage Gallery houses the work of a renowned artist along side other art work and art forms. It has an air of mystery surrounding making it an attractive tourist spot. (updated Jun 2021)

Do

• Osogbo is the venue of the annual Osun-Osogbo festival along the River Osun. The festival is centred in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. The Osun-Oshogbo festival is celebrated in the month of August at the grove. It festival attracts thousands of Osun worshippers, spectators and tourists from all walks of life. The two-week-long programme starts with the traditional cleansing of the town called 'Iwopopo', which is followed in three days by the lighting of the 500-year-old, 16-point lamp called 'Ina Olojumerindinlogun'. Then comes the 'Iboriade', an assemblage of the crowns of the past ruler, Ataojas of Osogbo, for blessings. This event s led by the sitting Ataoja of Oshogbo and the Arugba, Yeye Osun and a committee of priestesses.

Buy

• 1 Nike Art Gallery (on Ede-Osogbo Rd west of Ofatedo Rd). best to call. This venue was started by the wife of a Chief Nike Okundaye (hence the name), and seeks to empower women with the development of artisanal skills with free training through its nonprofit arm while preserving African culture. It has several locations in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire and claims to have the largest collection of indigenous Nigerian artwork. Fabrics, sculpture, painting, aluminum and copper works are some of the products. This particular location is kind of gritty, but you can also shop online on their website. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Osun Mall, Osun mall. Daily 9:30AM-8:30PM. Osun mall is a shopping mall located at Old Fakunle in Osogbo;the state capital of Osun. It has a shopping centre popularly called Justrite.
  There is also a cinema located in it.Different outlets are found within the mall where varieties of goods can be bought ranging from daily provisional needs to electronic gadgets. (updated Jun 2021)

Eat

• 1 Captain Cook, Station Rd (on Oshogbo - Ilesha Rd, downtown, in kind of ostentatious yellow building), ☏ +2348109045518. M-F 7AM-10PM, Su noon-10PM. Place to get local delicacies, chicken, fish, bread. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Osogbo Tennis Club. The club has recreation sport activities and food to offer. (updated Jun 2021)
• Embassy food Canteen, Opposite Jaleyemi Hospital, Jaleyemi Street, ☏ +234 902 244 9793. Daily 7AM - 10PM. Dine-in, Takeaway & Delivery (updated Jun 2021)
• BJ Diners, Rasco Road. Daily 8AM - 8PM. Dine in & Takeaway (updated Jun 2021)
• Spices Eatery, Oke Fia Road, ☏ +234 803 298 4559. Daily 9AM - 9PM. Spices Eatery offers a takeaway option for customers that prefer not to dine in. There is also a delivery option for comfort. (updated Jun 2021)
• Dino Pizza and restaurant, Adetunji Estate Junction, Ring Rd.. Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Mummy Nike Food Canteen, Osogbo - Ogbomoso Rd. (updated Jan 2022)
• 4 Chicken Republic, Gbongan - Ibadan Rd, ☏ +234 08090165942. 8AM - 9PM. A Fast-food/eatery NGN 2,000. (updated Jul 2024)

Drink

• 1 Quebana club, Church St, ☏ +234 803 637 2996. Reservations required. Mask required. Temperature check required. Staff wear masks. Staff get temperature checks. Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Club Secret Underground, old Ede Road Osogbo. 24 hr. Nice bar with classy ambience .Snooker and other game table available too.Service options include Dine in ,Delivery and Take away. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Fun-Dad Nigeria PLC (Fun-Dad Bar). Serene relaxation point with spacious car park. (updated Jun 2021)
• Harbins Chicken Cafe, ☏ +234 805 947 4117. Harbins Chicken Cafe is quite popular for having amazing smoothies. The cafe's fruit parfait and ice cream is a must for customers. Dine in & Takeaway service options are available. (updated Jun 2021)
• Reflex Lounge And Bar, ☏ +234 701 000 9956. 24/7. They offer takeaway, dine in and delivery service. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Adolak Hotel (on Gbongan-Ibadan Rd across from Ayegbaju International Market), ☏ +2349030023587. Multi-storey modern hotel with indoor pool, bar/restaurant/night club, security, and a/c. ~₦15750. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Leisure Spring Hotel. It is a three-star hotel with serene atmosphere. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Green Arcade Resort, Ibadan Road (Opposite Leisure Spring Hotels), ☏ +234 813 730 1803. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Swimming pool, bar/lounge, free Wi-Fi access, private parking, restaurant, POS, laundry, night club, event hall, and suya spot. Hotel rooms per night: Studio ₦5,500, Standard ₦6,500, Executive ₦7,500, Royal ₦8,000, Deluxe ₦9,500, Presidential ₦11,500. (updated Jun 2021)
• Atlantis Grand Suites, 5 Oluwole Close, Off Arubuola Street, Onward Area. Check-in: 9PM, check-out: noon. Restaurant, gym, bar/lounge, air conditioner, swimming pool, security guard, and free wireless Internet access. No pets. Hotel rooms per night: Silver ₦12,280, Golf ₦15,000, Oladoyin Suite ₦35,000, Olabisi Suite ₦40,000, Oladokun Suite ₦45,000. (updated Jun 2021)
• Adolak International Hotel, Opposite old governor's office, Ogo-Oluwa. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 2PM. A 2-star hotel with a restaurant, bar/lounge, air conditioning, a swimming pool, security, taxi pickup, night club, an event hall, and free cancellation. No pets allowed. Hotel rooms per night: Classic ₦15,750, Business Room ₦21,000, Superior ₦26,250, Royal ₦31,500, Executive ₦36,750, Diplomatic ₦47,000, Presidential ₦84,000. (updated Jun 2021)
• White Plain Suites, KM 3 Gbongan Ibadan Road.. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Restaurant, bar/lounge, security, wired Internet, air conditioning, 24/7 electricity, parking space, luggage Storage. Hotel rooms per night: Studio Room - ₦8,000, Classic Double - ₦10,000, Executive Double - ₦11,000, Deluxe Room - ₦14,000, Classic Suite - ₦17,000, White Plain Suite - ₦22,000. (updated Jun 2021)
• Ideal Nest Hotels, Plot 1 Oroki Estate, East West By-Pass, Ring Road. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Restaurant, bar/lounge, security, 24 electricity, adequate parking, event hall, meeting rooms, dry cleaning/laundry, free for kids and no pets. Hotel rooms per night: Supreme room ₦22,000, Deluxe Room ₦26,250, Diplomatic ₦55,500. (updated Jun 2021)
• Delightsome Hotels & Resorts, Behind Rinsayo Filling Station, Ring Road. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Restaurant, gym, night club, children's park, swimming pool, small zoo, security, free wireless Internet access, arcade, air conditioning, 24/7 electricity, parking garage, 24-hour security. Bar/lounge, and airport shuttle. Large Hut ₦20,000, Garden Bar ₦100,000, Mobola Hall ₦150,000 per night. (updated Jun 2021)
• 4 Hotel Heritage, Heritage Street, Off Gbongan-Oshogbo Road, ☏ +234 703 937 6771. (updated Jan 2022)

Connect

Airtel: Formerly known as Zain. Service:Call,SMS,GPRS Service,Data(Internet).

MTN: Service:Call,SMS,Data(internet),GPRS Service.

GLO: Service:Call,SMS,Data(Internet),GPRS Service.

9MOBILE:Formerly known as ETISALAT. Service:Call,SMS,Data(Internet),GPRS Service.

Go next

You might consider a side trip to Ile-Ife, considered to be the ancestral home of the Yoruba people, as it is where Oduduwa is said to have grabbed the three items of creation from his older brother Obatala on their rather contentious trip down from heaven while the latter was imbibing on palm wine. Oduduwa then sprinkled some earth on the ocean and set a chicken on it, which spread the earth upon which Ile Ife came to be built, in a nutshell. The following are sites related to the cultural history of Yoruba in Ile-Ife:

In the core palace-sort of area of downtown Ile-Ife:

• Ile Nla- Ooni of Ife Palace- this is where the current king of Yoruba (the Ooni of Ife) and descendant of the God-king Oduduwa presides. It may be possible to take a tour of the palace and even possibly meet the Ooni.
• The National Museum - showcase of Yoruba culture and history, including the characteristic elongated bronze face sculptures that demonstrate Yoruban smelting ability and belief that the inner power and energy of a person, the Ase, are in the head.
• Oduduwa Afewonro Park - a park centered around a statue of the deity Oduduwa, complete with his cockerel (chicken) ready to spread the earth.
• Tower of Independence - an obelisk type monument celebrating Nigeria's independence in 1960.
• Moremi, Statue of Liberty, Ile-Ife - this is a statue reminiscent in ways of the Statue of Liberty with a torch and all. This is said to be a monument to the autonomy of women.

A little ways out from the core:

• Opa Oranmiyan - a shrine having to do with a Yoruba warrior whose descendants are royal heads in various parts of Nigeria, and a sacred grove.
• Oduduwa Grove and Shrine - a similar sort of shrine, but unfortunately restricted without prior authorization

Also in Ile-Ife is the:

• OAU Museum at the regarded Obafemi Awolowo University, which is perhaps one of Nigeria's only natural history museums.

Another outing on the other side of Osogbo (through Ilesha) is the Erin Ijesha Waterfall, a 7-tiered fall, but since it is quite crowded and people even seem to bath in it, the hour or so long trip may not be all that worth it.