Friday, July 31, 2026 My Trip English中文
World news · travel · culture
Taiwan The Taiwan Times
Taiwan's window to the world

Ikeja

Nigeria · Africa

Ikeja, Nigeria
Ikeja, Nigeria. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

About Ikeja

Ikeja is the capital city of Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria. Its population, as of the 2006 census, is 313,196. Prior to the emergence of military rule in the early 1980s, Ikeja was a residential and commercial town with shopping malls, pharmacies and government reservation areas. It lies 17 km northwest of Lagos city. The Murtala Muhammed International Airport is located in the city. Ikeja is also home to Femi Kuti's Africa Shrine and Lagbaja's Motherland, both venues for live music. Its Ikeja City Mall is the largest shopping mall on the Lagos State mainland. Ikeja also has its own radio station, broadcasting both in English (Eko FM) and in Yoruba (Radio Lagos).

Ikeja, which was formally called "Akeja", was named after a deity of the Awori people of Ota. It was originally settled by the Awori people, and the area was raided for slaves until the mid-19th century. Early in the 20th century, it became an agricultural hinterland for Lagos. The opening of the Lagos-Ibadan railway in 1901 and the growth of Lagos as a port transformed Ikeja into a residential and industrial suburb of that city. In the mid-1960s an industrial estate was established, and in 1976 Ikeja became...

Ikeja travel guide

Understand

The city's area is 50 km². It is a part of the Lagos Metropolitan Area.

The River Ogun (or Isheri) is domestic water that starts at Oyo State near Shaki and flows through Ogun State into Lagos State.

Climate The climate there is tropical monsoon. Heavy rainfall occurs for most of the year. The overall climate is largely unaffected by the short dry season. Ikeja's average temperature is 26.4 °C (79.5 °F), according to the Köppen-Geiger climate scale. This region receives about 1645 mm (64.8 inches) of precipitation annually.Ikeja's proximity to the equator makes the city's summers difficult to characterize. January, July, August, September, October, November, and December are the most popular months for visits.

Getting there

By bus Danfo Bus, yellow and black stripe bus popularly used in Lagos controlled by NURTW, you can board any of the Danfo bus at various bus stop. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Takes about 40 passengers without standing then close to 85 passengers with standing, it formerly runs with passengers purchasing tickets to their various destination but now functions with passengers having a cowry card to make payment, you can have extra money in your cowry card or make payment immediately you want to use BRT, just make sure you tap out after payment when you arrive at you designated bus stop.

1 Ikeja Bus Terminal, Simbiat Abiola way. The Ikeja bus terminal acts as the hub of all transport activities within the Ikeja axis, which serves over 50,000 daily passengers and provides access to many destinations such as Oshodi, Ojota, Iyana-ipaja, Maryland, Lekki, Ogba, and CMS. Fully air-conditioned terminal, food courts, shops, ATM gallery, and free WiFi. (updated Jun 2021)

By train Daily trains between central Lagos and Ibadan calls at Agege, just northwest of Ikeja.

2 Agege railway station (Babatunde Fashola Station). (updated Jul 2022)

By plane Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos in 10 km away. There are airport cabs available upon arrival, and services on demand like Uber and Bolt are also accessible.

See

1 Fela's Shrine, 12a, Adeleke St. M-Sa (24 hours). (updated Jan 2023) 2 Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, 9 Oba Akinjobi Way, ☏ +234-811-111-4588. (updated Jan 2023) 3 Kalakuta Museum, 7 Gbemisola St, Allen, Ikeja, ☏ +234 802 313 7307. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, closed Su. Museum dedicated to the late Fela Kuti, Afrobeat music genre pioneer and Pan-Africanist. His mausoleum is right by the front gate. (updated Aug 2020) Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, 9 Oba Akinjobi Way, ☏ +234-811-111-4588. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Foot Statue, Berger. A statue of a large foot, erected on a roundabout in 2017. (updated Dec 2021)

Do

1 Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT) park. An ultra-modern park by House of Assembly beside Lagos State Secretariat Alausa. The park occupies a total land area of approximately 21,880 m². The park was created in honor of the three former governors of Lagos state: Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (Rtd.), Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Tola Ahmed Tinubu. (updated Aug 2024)

2 Kanu Ndubuisi Park, Mobolaji Johnson Ave, Oregun. Daily 10AM-8PM. A public park and green space made for recreation and relaxation. It has a Statue of Legends, a pergola, a waterfall, a children's playground, a lawn tennis court, and a snack stand. The park was named after a former Governor of Lagos State (1977 – 1978), Rear Admiral (Rtd) Ndubuisi Godwin. (updated Sep 2024) 3 Silverbird Cinema Ikeja, Mall, 174 / 194 Obafemi Awolowo Way, ☏ +234 9026067603. 10AM-11PM. Movie theatre in an ultramodern mall with an array of shops. Food and popcorn vendors available too. Safe and secure environment, parking is metered. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Viva Cinema, 22 Simbiat Abiola Way, ☏ +234 8172657928. Movie theatre not over crowded and is spacious. Spacious sitting area so people do not have to stand while waiting to see a movie. Popcorn is available and the option of small chops. (updated Jun 2021)

Buy

1 Ikeja City Mall, 194 Obafemi Awolowo Way, ☏ +234 806 858 2039. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F Sa 8AM-9PM. Popular mall shopping area in Ikeja with eateries, Shoprite, and Silverbird Cinemas. (updated Aug 2020) Camera Trader-Nigeria, 5 Ladipo kuku st, Opebi Rd (By Salvation Bus stop), ☏ +234-909-000-1206. Dealers of all kinds of camera. (updated Jun 2021) I Store Ikeja Mall, Ikeja City mall, Alausa, Obafemi Awolowo way, Oregun, ☏ +234-909-886-9588. M-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su noon-7PM. Electronics Store. (updated Jun 2021) Ojodu Market, Berger. 5AM-noon. This is a very busy market and you can get almost anything you want here. (updated Dec 2021)

Eat

1 Ocean Basket, 9 Obafemi Awolowo way, Oregun, ☏ +234-818-295-1963. M-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F Sa 10:30AM-10PM. Seafood restaurant. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Labule Restaurant, 22 Simbiat Abiola Way, Jara Shopping mall, ☏ +234-904-355-2918. M-Sa 8AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Cegeolie Resto Pub, 21 Ladipo oluwole st, Oba Akran. M-Th 10:30AM-11:30PM, F Sa 10:30AM-midnight. Great cocktails; cosy, casual. Vegetarian options. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Zen Garden, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja. A sister restaurant to Pearl Garden (VI), Zen Garden is an elegant gourmet Chinese restaurant. Tends to get crowded on weekends, so plan accordingly. Barbequed Pork is a must-have. A bit on the pricier side, dinner with drinks for two approx. ₦10,000-12,000. Harzoyka, Oduduwa Cr, GRA, Ikeja. Being the only mid-range Indian restaurant in Ikeja (the other option is the extremely pricey Indian restaurant in Sheraton), Harzoyka is a good choice if you are in Ikeja and don't want to go around the city for Indian food. Food is decent with an average ambiance. AAA (formerly Stanley), Olutunda Street, Ilupeju, ☏ +234 17754609. Among the best Indian restaurants in town. Chef Anand makes a wicked Murg Mussalam (comes in a large plate that serves 3-4) - don't miss it. The ambiance is slightly dull, though the quality of food more than makes up for it. Dinner for two (with drinks) approx. ₦7000. F&G Suites, Ilupeju (Opp to Bazaar Shop). Taj, Ilupeju (adjacent to Shop Perfect, on the same road as Bazaar Shop). The Grid Restaurant and Winery, 6 Thomas Ajufo Street, off Opebi Link Rd, ☏ + 234 810 3089 3832. Tu-Su noon-10PM. Dine in. Drive through. Delivery. ₦₦. (updated Jun 2022) Commint Buka, Majekodunmi St Allen, ☏ +234 909 000 5472. 9AM-8PM daily. Beans and rice, plantain and beef amala and vegetable rice spinach chicken fried rice fish stew goat stew fruit salad jollof rice moin-moin and any other fast food.Service: Dine in take away delivery @commintbukalagos on Instagram is their social media platform. ₦. (updated Jun 2022) 5 Grizzly Restaurant, Afolabi Awosanya st Opebi, ☏ +234 908 878 4391. 24 hours Daily. Seafood rice, ogbono soup, seafood pasta, egusi soup, egg sauce and yam, indomie and chicken wings, oatmeal, sausage, vegetable soup, Chinese spaghetti and other Nigerian recipes. Dine in. Take away. Delivery. ₦₦. (updated Jun 2022)

Drink & nightlife

Lagbaja's Motherland, Opebi Rd. (updated Jun 2021) Metro Park, Isaac-John St. (updated Jun 2021) The Night Shift Colosseum, Salvation Rd (off Opebi Rd). 9PM-5AM. Best music, well arranged, spacious for dancing and sitting. (updated Jun 2021) Options, Allen Avenue-Toyin St T Point. 10PM-5AM. Good music, spacious. (updated Jun 2021) Africa shrine. With Femi Kuti, son of the pioneer of Afrobeat music, Fela Kuti. (updated Jun 2021) Sidewalk Lounge and Bar, variety of drinks, cocktails and food on offer, located in trinity mall, 79/81 Obafemi Awolowo Way. Rhapsody’s Ikeja, located in IKeja City Mall. Smoothie, cocktails and meals on request are available, relaxed ambiance.

Sleep

PearlWort Hotel, Central Business District, Alausa. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, restaurant, room service. US$85. (updated Jun 2021) WaterCress Hotels, 48,Oritshe St, off Obafemi Awolowo way. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, restaurant, room service, fitness center, pool/beach towel, hot tub/jacuzzi. Double US$76, executive US$117. (updated Jun 2021) Shoregate Hotel, 29 Joel Ogunnaike street, GRA. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, restaurant, room service, fitness center, table tennis. Double US$125, executive US$131. (updated Jun 2021) Radisson Blu Hotel, 38-40 Isaac John Str. Modern rooms & suites in an elegant hotel with a steakhouse, an outdoor pool & a 24-hour gym. (Updated Mar 2022) Posh Apartment, 50b Abba Johnson crescent, off Adeniyi Jones Ave., ☏ +234-814-990-6166. It's located in a very good and safe area, the staffs are very friendly and a great hospitality in general, free WiFi, air conditioning, breakfast, parking. ₦10,716. (updated Jun 2021) 1 Sheraton Lagos, 30 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Airport Rd, ☏ +234 1 2800100, fax: +234 1 2802280, [email protected]. Close to the MM International Airport in the heart of Ikeja. Offers 325 guest rooms and 7 suites with high speed Wi-Fi access 2 Montana Residence, 16 Oduduwa Way, GRA, ☏ +234 903 000 9726. Free breakfast, wifi, a/c, pool, gym. Not too far from airport. ₦17822. (updated Aug 2020) Hotel 1960, 23 Olufunmilayo Okikiolu Street (off Toyin St), ☏ +234 808 374 5991. Executive and Royal rooms, all equipped with air-conditioning, LCD TV and telephone. Facilities and services are restaurant, bar, garden and conference hall. From US$115. Eagles Park 1960, 7 Obokun Close Off Johnson Street, Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, ☏ +234 8083745991. Executive and Royal Rooms, all equipped with air-conditioning, LCD TV and telephone. Facilities and services are functions rooms, restaurant, bar and garden. From US$150. 3 Hotel Ibis, Airport Road, Ajao Estate, ☏ +234 14483470, fax: +234 8014615424, [email protected]. The well-known hotel chain has a hotel on the Airport Road, a 5-minute drive from the MM International Airport. 4 Welcome Centre Hotels, 70 Airport Rd (5 minutes drive to Lagos International Airport), ☏ +234 8054763801, fax: +234 7087320079, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Modern 4-star hotel, conference and leisure venue of similar standard to Protea but not as expensive £50. (updated Apr 2021) 5 WoodRidge Hotel, 2Plot 1/3 Lambert Imasuen Dr, Ajao Estate, ☏ +234 8032749921. All rooms equipped and included with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels, Wi-Fi Internet acc

Go next

Lekki Ajah Ibadan Victoria Island (V.I.) Benin Kanu Ndubuisi Park

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.

Explore Africa