Getting oriented
Akowonjo is a neighbourhood in Lagos State, Nigeria, within the Alimosho Local Government Area. It is one of the older settlements in the area, with Egba inhabitants who, according to local historical accounts, settled here around the 1830s after clearing and claiming what was then dense forest. For a visitor, the practical upshot is that Akowonjo sits inside the wider Lagos transport system, so the way you get around is essentially the way people get around Lagos: a mix of minibuses, tricycles, motorcycle taxis, ride-hailing apps, and — where they reach — the city's rail and ferry services.
How tourists move around
Lagos does not have a single unified public transport network that a visitor can learn once and rely on. Instead, movement happens through several overlapping modes, each suited to different trip lengths and budgets. Short hops within a neighbourhood are usually done by tricycle or motorcycle taxi; longer cross-city trips are done by bus, ride-hailing car, or — on the corridors they serve — light rail and ferry.
Two things are worth knowing before you set out. First, cash is the default way to pay for most everyday transport; only Lagos has anything resembling a stored-value pass. Second, accessibility is a real constraint: accessible transport is virtually non-existent nationwide, and even the Lagos BRT — the closest thing to an accessible service — has priority seats that are often occupied by other passengers, crowded buses, and wheelchair ramps that are frequently in disrepair.
Rail, metro and tram network
Nigeria has no metro or tram system of the kind you might expect in a large city, and there is no tram network at all. What exists is a small number of intercity rail lines in daily use, each taking roughly three hours end to end. The one most relevant to a Lagos-based visitor is the Lagos–Ibadan line. The others are Itakpe–Warri and Abuja–Kaduna.
These trains are air-conditioned and punctual, and they sell tickets in several classes — economy, business, and first class — with fares rising accordingly. The important practical detail is that tickets must be bought in person at the station; there is no online booking to fall back on. A common visitor pattern is to take a morning train out of Lagos and return on an afternoon departure from the station at the other end.
Within Lagos itself, there is a light rail segment (Marina–Mile 2) that forms part of the city's limited rail offering. It is not a comprehensive metro, but where it runs it can be a useful alternative to road traffic.
Buses and other public transport
Lagos is the only state in Nigeria with a transport pass worth having: the Cowry Card. It is a stored-value card usable on BRT buses running in dedicated lanes, on scheduled ferries, and on the light rail. You can buy it at BRT shelters and terminals. If you plan to use the BRT or the light rail more than once or twice, getting a Cowry Card is the single most useful transport purchase you can make.
Beyond the BRT, public transport in Lagos is dominated by minibuses, which cover daytime routes across the city. For intercity travel, minibuses and shared cars handle daytime journeys, while coaches depart overnight for the longest trips.
Two other modes fill the gaps:
- Keke (tricycle): Complements motorcycle taxis in many cities and is used for short trips of under about half an hour. In places where motorcycle taxis are banned — private estates and gated residences, for example — kekes are the only alternative. Note that some cities impose curfews on them; in Lagos they are off the road by 9pm.
- Okada (motorcycle taxi): Found almost everywhere, usually at dedicated spots on neighbourhood streets and main roads. Riders typically wear uniforms, most commonly a short-sleeved reflective jacket, though this varies by state. You hail one by approaching the driver or flagging them down and stating your destination. Helmets are mandated by the Federal Road Safety Corps but enforcement is poor. Okadas are banned outright in several states and the FCT, and in Lagos they are restricted to suburban areas — so do not assume you can use one everywhere.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Licensed cabs are identifiable by their red license plates, and the vehicle colours are set by state. In Lagos, licensed cabs are yellow with double black stripes. Elsewhere the colours differ — light blue in Delta, green with double white stripes in Abuja, orange in Akwa Ibom — so the colour alone tells you which state you are in.
For short distances, there is also the informal drop: a private cab or keke you hail by waving and saying "drop," suitable for solo travellers or small groups. Drivers cruising for fares are described locally as "blowing empty."
Ride-hailing is widely available: Uber and Bolt operate in most states, and per-mile fares are generally cheaper than traditional cabs, especially outside Lagos. For a visitor without local knowledge of fares, an app is often the simplest way to avoid haggling.
Walkability
Walking is not a practical primary mode for getting around Lagos. There are no dedicated bicycle lanes anywhere in Nigeria, including Abuja, and cycling is mostly a weekend activity; an app-based bike-sharing scheme operates mainly in Lagos. The absence of cycling infrastructure is a reasonable proxy for how little the built environment prioritises non-motorised travel. Treat walking as something you do within a destination — a market, a compound, a short stretch of street — rather than as a way to move between neighbourhoods.
Getting in from the airport
Nigeria's domestic private airlines serve a large number of airports across the country, and most domestic flights run about an hour. Delays are common, but the first flights of the day usually depart on schedule — so if you are connecting through a Nigerian airport, an early departure is your best bet for punctuality.
For the road leg between an airport and the city, the same options that apply elsewhere apply here: licensed cabs, ride-hailing apps, and — depending on where you are — kekes or okadas for the final stretch. Because ride-hailing fares are generally cheaper than cabs and the price is set by the app rather than negotiated, it is usually the least stressful option for a visitor arriving with luggage. If you are arriving in Lagos and continuing into the city, remember that the Cowry Card covers BRT buses, scheduled ferries, and the light rail, and can be bought at BRT shelters and terminals once you are in the city.
Boats, if you are near the water
Lagos is the only coastal state with significant intra-city water transport infrastructure. Ferries and water taxis run from a number of jetties, operated by companies licensed by the Lagos State Waterways Authority. Be aware that there are no regular schedules outside the morning and evening peaks, so ferries are not a reliable all-day option. If you want a boat to yourself or your group, you can hire ferries and water taxis by the day at the Five Cowries Terminal in Falomo, Ikoyi; these carry roughly ten to fifty passengers with a driver and an assistant, and should be booked at least 72 hours in advance.
Practical summary
- Buy a Cowry Card if you will use the BRT, light rail, or scheduled ferries in Lagos — available at BRT shelters and terminals.
- Use ride-hailing for predictable pricing, especially outside Lagos where per-mile fares are cheaper than cabs.
- Know your vehicle colours: Lagos cabs are yellow with double black stripes, and all commercial vehicles carry red plates.
- Expect cash for everyday transport outside the Cowry system.
- Plan around the 9pm keke curfew in Lagos and the suburban-only restriction on okadas.
- For intercity rail, buy tickets in person at the station — there is no online option.
- Do not count on walking or cycling to cover distance; infrastructure for both is effectively absent.