Visiting Ogbomoso: A Simple Guide to Getting Around, Landmarks and Local Food

Whether you are coming home for a family event, visiting a student at LAUTECH or just passing through, Ogbomoso is a friendly, busy city with plenty of history. Here is a simple visitor's guide.

Getting to Ogbomoso

• By road from Ibadan: Ogbomoso is on the Ibadan–Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin road. Buses leave regularly from major Ibadan parks.

• From Lagos: Take the Lagos–Ibadan expressway, then continue north through Oyo town.

• From the North: Travel through Ilorin, which is the nearest large city to the north.

• By air: The nearest airports are in Ilorin and Ibadan.

Check road conditions before travelling, especially on sections of the Oyo–Ogbomoso road.

Getting around town

Motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke) and shared taxis are the most common ways to move around. Agree on the fare before you start, and keep small change handy.

Landmarks to see

• The Soun's Palace: The seat of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, at the heart of the old town.

• Takie and Oja Igbo: Busy central areas full of shops, traders and street life.

• Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary: A historic campus dating back to 1898.

• Bowen University Teaching Hospital: Founded in 1907 as the Baptist Medical Centre.

• LAUTECH campus: Ogbomoso's university and a major part of the city's life.

Food to try

• Amala with gbegiri and ewedu: A classic Oyo meal you will find in many local bukas.

• Pounded yam with egusi or efo riro: Ogbomoso's farms supply plenty of yam.

• Roasted corn and ube (pear) in season, and roasted cashew nuts from local farms.

Tips for visitors

• Greet elders politely; respect matters a lot in Ogbomoso.

• Carry some cash, as not every small shop accepts transfers or cards.

• Follow local news for any security advisories in rural areas.