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

Okene

Nigeria · Africa

Okene, Nigeria
Okene, Nigeria. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

About Okene

Okene is a town in the Nigerian state of Kogi. The town is based in a Local Government Area of the same name. Okene runs along the A2 highway. It had an area of 328 km2 and a population of 320,260 at the 2006 census.

The predominant people in Okene are the Ebira of central Nigeria and the Ebira language is spoken.

Okene is the birthplace of American Hockey League player and National Hockey League prospect Akim Aliu.

Another prominent Nigerian hailing from Okene is Engineer Joseph Makoju, the former managing director of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and currently the Honorary Adviser to Mr President on Electric Power and the Honorary Adviser to the President/CEO Dangote Group on Strategies. Okene is the birthplace of Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor-elect of Kogi State Ahmed Usman Ododo. Popular actress and entrepreneur Mercy Johnson also comes from Okene.

The Federal College of Education is situated in Okene along Okene-Lokoja road. There is also a satellite campus of the Kogi State Polythecnic. There are several schools in the town, including high schools such as Abdulaziz Atta Memorial College Okene (AAMCO...

Okene travel guide

Understand

Okene is a town in Kogi state, south-central region of Nigeria.

History Okene as a Local Government Area was created in 1976 from the division of Ebira also known as Igbira during the Administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo. The Ebira Tao people of Central Senatorial District of Kogi State are the same people of Okene LGA.

Climate The temperature varies from 64°F to 91°F and it is rarely below 57°F or above 97°F throughout the year. The hot season starts from January 24 to April 14, with an average daily high temperature above 89°F. March is the hottest month of the year in Okene with an average high of 91°F and low of 72°F. The cool season is from June 19 to October 23 with an average daily high temperature below 83°F. August is the coldest month of the year with an average low of 69°F and high of 81°F. Early November to late February is the best time of year to visit Okene for hot-weather activities.

Getting there

Kogi shares a border with 10 other states. Travellers are provided with several options whether to travel by air or road.

By plane 1 Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (ABV IATA). International flights to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport are offered by several airlines, notably, Lufthansa, KLM, and British Airways. If arriving from the US, Delta Air Lines has a direct flight from New York JFK. Many visitors fly through connecting flights from Lagos.

By bus You can travel to Kogi State by bus from major cities like Abuja, Lagos, Benin, Kano and Port Harcourt. Transportation companies such as ABC Transport (with air-conditioned luxurious bus rides), God is Good Motors (GIGM), Big Joe Motors, Chisco Transport (CTN) and Young Shall Grow, provide transport services from other parts of the country to the Kogi State.

By train 2 Itakpe Train Station Nigeria Railway Corporation has completed an inter-city line between Kogi, Abuja and Kaduna, where you can connect with the rest of the Nigerian rail system. Trains arrive and depart from Itakpe. The train service offers three types of such as Economy, First Class and Sleeper. The schedules and current fairs can be found on the Nigeria Railway Corporation website. From Itakpe train station one can easily get a taxi/bus to Okene.

See

Ekuku dam Ekuku dam near Koroko reminds one of an old farm house. The Ekuku Dam in Okene is one of many natural landscapes in Kogi State. It is located in the far axis of Agassa in Okene with serene environment dominated by farmers.

Buy

1 Okene central market. 5AM–7PM. A shopping store where you can get distinguished items you wish to buy. ₦1000 and more. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Okene shopping mall, Itakpe Road. 8AM–6:30PM. A mall where you can get items you wish to buy. ₦1000 and more. (updated Oct 2025) 3 Ogaminana Market, Itakpe Road, ☏ +234 806 653 5072. A market where one can get all sort of things (updated Oct 2025)

Eat

1 Marl Kitchen, ☏ +234 703 327 8923. 8AM-10PM. Marl kitchen is an eatery in Okene where you can get different meal of your choice. ₦500. (updated Dec 2021)

Sleep

Ramadat Hotel, Oniyeka Street, ☏ +234 814 533 8048. Check-in: 8AM, check-out: noon. ₦5,000-20,000. (updated Apr 2022)

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

Explore Africa