Oshodi
Introduction
Oshodi-Isolo is a suburb of Lagos and a Local Government Area within Lagos State, part of the Ikeja Division of Nigeria. It was formed by Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the second republic Governor of Lagos State, and its first Executive Chairman was the late Sir Isaac Ademolu Banjoko.
The area covers roughly forty-five square kilometres and is led by an Executive Chairman; Honourable Kehinde Oloyede Al-Maroof was elected to a first term in that office on 1 August 2021.
Before you go
Before you go, know that this destination is covered by a stay safe section, so plan your trip with personal security in mind. Check the current travel advice for the area before booking, and build your itinerary around the precautions that guidance recommends.Getting there
You can reach this part of Lagos from anywhere in the city by bus. Luxurious buses, BRT buses and local buses all serve the area, so you can pick the option that suits your budget and comfort. Because it is a well-known part of Lagos, you should have no trouble locating the town or finding your way to it.
Getting around
Oshodi works best as a transport hub rather than a place to linger. From here you can reach other parts of Lagos with relative ease, and the area is busy and well known enough that finding your way in or out is rarely a problem. You can enter Oshodi from any part of Lagos by luxurious buses, BRT buses or local buses, so decide your class of bus up front according to your budget and comfort, then board at the relevant stop or park.
Within the area, the documented options are commercial buses (both privately owned and government-operated BRT), tricycles known locally as keke, and motorcycles for short hops. These cover both quick trips around Oshodi and longer journeys onward. There is no rail, metro or tram network described here, and taxis or ride-hailing apps are not covered in the source material, so treat those as something to confirm locally rather than assume. Oshodi is a high-traffic hotspot rather than a walking destination, so plan to use a vehicle and reserve walking for short, immediate errands where you can see your destination. Build in extra time whatever the season: the rainy season is humid, muggy and partially cloudy, while the dry season is warm, oppressive and overcast.
Where to stay
Most of the accommodation in Oshodi-Isolo is modest, with hotels generally rated in the two- to three-star range. Maria Suites Limited sits on Fatai Irawo Street, while Rich Anthonio Suites and Emota Paradise Hotel are both found in Ilasamaja, on Olusesi Street and Olufemi Samson Street respectively. If you want a drink or a bite close to your room, Roppongi bar & lounge on Oshodi Road is an option in the area.Food & drink
Oshodi-Isolo has a spread of local restaurants where you can eat well throughout the day. God's Grace restaurant on Akinshola Street, Galamie Chops And Drinks on Aremu Street, Arogundade Restaurant on Goloba Street in Isolo, Domino Restaurant on Oludegun Avenue in Orile, Chubuzo Restaurants on Badere Street, Prestige Restaurant on Lafenwa and Mr. Bigg's Oshodi on Boladale Street in Orile all serve during the day and into the evening, mostly Monday to Saturday. For something more casual, try Ninolowo Canteen on Moshalashi Street, which stays open from early morning until midnight, or Mama Emmanuel Bar in the Moyosore shopping complex. For drinks, you would normally need to visit a restaurant, bar or hotel, though there are some good pubs around. Akanchawa Bar on Alhaji Tanimola Street and Stone Bar on Makinde Street are straightforward spots for a drink, while Euro bar lagos / Don venice Wine sits in Park View Estate on Sunday Aghedo Street and Kass Place is on Ire-Akari Estate Road. Las Vegas Bar is in Mafoluku on Makinde Street, and Rollers Bar, Club & Event Centre on Ago Palace Way doubles as a venue for events.What to see and do
Oshodi sits within Lagos, so the city's wider sights and activities are what you'll draw on while you're here. Among the options are a Lagos cuisine tour in the heart of the city, best done during the dry period, and a Lagos beach tour.
- Lagos cuisine tour — a food-focused outing in the heart of Lagos, suited to the dry period
- Lagos Beach tour
- Private guided tour at Lekki Conservation Centre
For a fuller list of things to do while you're in Oshodi, refer to the Lagos City page.
When to go
Oshodi's climate splits into two broad seasons, and both are largely cloudy. The rainy season is humid and muggy, with frequent rain and heavy, sticky air under skies that are often partly covered. The dry season is warm and oppressive, with scarce rain but a heat that feels heavy and a sky that tends to stay grey.
- Rainy season: expect frequent rain, muggy conditions and mostly cloudy skies.
- Dry season: expect oppressive warmth, little rain and overcast skies.
Three days in Oshodi
Day one: Begin in Oshodi itself, the heart of this Local Government Area in Lagos State, within Ikeja Division. Get your bearings along Oshodi Road, then head to Fatai Irawo Street, where you can settle into Maria Suites Limited. In the evening, explore the streets around Ilasamaja and Olusesi Street to get a feel for the area's everyday rhythm.
Day two: Move outward toward Isolo and the wider Lagos surroundings. If you want a change of base, consider Rich Anthonio Suites or Emota Paradise Hotel. Use the BRT to get around, because it connects much of the area. Check out Olufemi Samson Street and the stretch of Oshodi Road, and if you are looking for something after dark, Roppongi is a name you may come across.
Day three: Round off your stay within the Local Government Area. The place carries a deep political history, associated with figures such as Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, a former Governor, and Sir Isaac Ademolu Banjoko, along with the Honourable Kehinde Oloyede Al-Maroof, the Executive Chairman. Before you leave, take one last walk through Oshodi and Isolo, and let the pace of Lagos see you off.