Unforgettable train trip to Abeokuta-

By Adebayo Ebenezer Mayowa

Magic sometimes resides in a box. A train ride is a beautiful experience, and there is something magical
about train rides; outside, you get to see the beautiful landscape transverse behind you and inside, you
meet new people on your journey. The new ultra-modern train commenced in December, routing
Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan. Travelling and having a good time on a weekend out of Lagos has been made
easier. A trip to Abeokuta will make you experience the whole culture of the Egba people. During
weekends, the train from Lagos leaves at 8:30 am from the old terminal at Alagomeji in Yaba; the new
mega terminal is at the final stages of construction.

Lagos-Abeokuta 
Start – Ebutte Meta, Lagos; End – Wole Soyinka terminal, Abeokuta; Departs daily; Distance  – 2438
miles (3924km);  Duration – 1hrs 40mins.

Trip essentials: 
Sun hat/cap, medium backpack, sandals or hiking trainers, sunglasses, cash (withdraw enough money
for the trip), waterbottle/drink +snacks, power bank, camera (if you have one), good mood :)

 
A standard ticket to Abeokuta cost around N2000, business class and First class cost more, N4000 and
N6000. The trains leave at exact 8:30 am; it is crucial to get there early enough to purchase your ticket.
Payment for a ticket at the train station in Alagomeji is only by cash, no card payment. It takes around 1
hour 30 minutes to get to Abeokuta station named after Prof Soyinka Terminus stop.
Once you get to the stop, taxis are not available. You will have to call a cab to come to pick you up. To
explore Abeokuta in one day, here is a guide and itinerary. On getting to the terminal in Abeokuta
by10:30 am, you take a taxi to the first destination, Alake's palace. It's 11:00 am, and you're already at
the Alake's palace; the tour begins from here. The Alake of Egbaland is the traditional ruler of the Egba
clan in the city of Abeokuta. The beautiful palace serves as the home to the king who is also the
custodian of the Egba people’s culture and tradition. Abeokuta is a historic town and a city in Nigeria
that has produced two states. It is also home to many significant figures in Nigerian history- Fela Kuti's
family, Wole Soyinka's and former President Obasanjo.
At the Alake's palace are different figurines of deities that protected the old Egba kingdom during the
numerous wars. Opposite the palace is the centenary hall built by the Egba people to commemorate
their one hundred years of peaceful existence in Abeokuta after the numerous inter-tribal wars they've
experienced. In the building, you will find pictures of notable Egba people. From here, you can begin
walking towards the historical Abeokuta mosque, which stands out in its red-coloured beautiful
architecture. The walk from the centenary to the Abeokuta mosque takes about 27 minutes (13km).
The next destination is the most popular place in Abeokuta-Olumo! A visit to Abeokuta is never
complete without visiting the famous Olumo rock. This rock provides sanctuary to the people and a
vantage point for meetings to map out a strategy to conquer wars. The first dwellers of Abeokuta settled
here on the rocks and in caves and gradually spread out from this location. The rock still serves as the
home for a few old Egba women who are the spiritual heads for Abeokuta.

 
By now, the time is already 13:00 and time to take a break. There are restaurants 1.3-mile radius of
Olumo. Have your lunch and rest.
After your lunch, it is time to head towards President Olusegun Obasanjo's library and museum. It is a
private museum built by the former president, and it sits directly on a hill overlooking the waters. The
library is a place to be as it sends you on a time journey to everything about the former president's life;
a mock-up of his presidential office then, items he owned, etc. The library also houses a wildlife zoo.
Abeokuta's adire is known to be the best in the world. To round up this trip, a visit to the adire market
for souvenirs and watch the old traditional methods of making tie and dye.
It's getting towards evening, and the time is about half-past 5—time to get a taxi and head back to the
terminal. The train arrives by 6:50 and leaves by 7:00. In one thirty minutes, you should be back to
Lagos.

Tour of Abeokuta 
Start – 1.Alake Palace 2. The Centenary Hall. 3.Central Mosque 4.Olumo Rock 5.President
Obasanjo's Library; End – Adire Market; Duration – 6 hrs 40mins