Ilorin

Understand

thumb|Ahmadu Bello Way

English is commonly spoken and understood among the populace. However, Yoruba is the mother tongue of much of the people, and Hausa speakers may be found in some areas, particularly among roadside sellers of food and vegetables.

Modern Ilorin is specially inhabited with the aid of using Muslim Yoruba people, even though its conventional ruler is a Yoruba-speakme Fulani emir. Surrounding the anciently significant district with its conventional single-tale red-dust homes with thatched straw roofs and several mosques, all blanketed with the aid of using a dust wall, the present day town is a business, commercial, and academic centre. It is a prime marketplace for domestically raised crops (yams, cassava, maize, sorghum, millet, rice, peppers, peanuts, shea nuts, kola nuts, cotton) and for cattle, hides, and poultry. Local handicrafts consist of pottery making, timber carving, leather-based working, fabric weaving, and mat and basket weaving. The developing business quarter now consists of sugar refining, meals processing, soft-drink bottling, in shape and cleaning soap manufacturing, and ironworking. There are numerous banks and coverage agencies that serve the town and state.

The city is home to the University of Ilorin and the Kwara State Institute of Technology. Near the city is the Federal Institute of Agricultural and Rural Business Administration, which operates a research company. Colleges of education and vocational schools also serve Ilorin. Me…

Get in

The city of Ilorin serves as a gateway between the northern and southern part of Nigeria.

Get around

There are three modes of transiting within the State, which also extends to the region – the most popular being the conventional taxis. There are the commercial motor bicycles commonly called “Express”, and the more recent arrival on Ilorin’s roads, “Keke NAPEP”, imported commercial tricycles.

If travelling around Ilorin, be sure to be accompanied by a tourist guide who is familiar with the routes. For the most part, it's safe to move about during the day. If you are going out at night, be sure to go in groups, and stick to known routes.

See

The city also has a range of tourist attractions such as the Sobi Hill which is said to have offered protection to natives during intertribal wars in ancient times. The Okuta Ilorin is located in Asaju's compound, Idi-Ape Quarters. It is the stone on which Ojo Isekuse, one of the founders of the city, used to sharpen his metal tools. It was actually called "Okuta ilo irin" (meaning stone for sharpening metals). It is from this tool, the town Ilorin derived its name. The stone was a deified object of worship, and sacrificial offerings were made to it in the past.

Pottery is a big business in Ilorin. The city has the biggest traditional pottery workshops in Nigeria. They are located in the Dada area of Okelele, Eletu in Oju-Ekun, Okekura, Oloje, Abe Emi and Ita Merin.

The traditional textile industry also thrives in Ilorin. In various parts of the city, aso-oke, textiles hand-woven on simple looms, are made in large quantities. Aso-oke is purchased by traders and fashion designers from Kwara State, other parts of Nigeria and abroad.

The cultural centre houses the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, its performing troupe, and a gallery with artworks and antiquities. Souvenirs of cultural and historical values are also available.

Do

Metropolitan Park, a recreational park, is located on Unity Road. The Kwara State Stadium Complex has an Olympic-sized swimming pool with facilities for diving. A purpose-built baseball park is located in the Adewole area of the city.

Buy

Unless you are in a supermarket or restaurant/bar with fixed prices, you will be expected to negotiate the price you pay for an item down to the lowest the vendor would sell. When you are stuck in traffic, expect to see hawkers selling drinks and other forms of light refreshments.

If you hold a Visa, MasterCard or Maestro credit/debit card you can withdraw cash in naira from various ATMs in Ilorin.

Foreign currency, U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, or euros can be exchanged in various places, usually near large hotels, e.g., Kwara hotel and the airport. These are not formal bureaux de change and you will need to negotiate the exchange rate. Count your money in front of the exchanger, and don't be afraid to walk away if you are not happy with the deal.

There are formal Bureaux de Change in the various banks, and you can be rest assured about transacting with them, although their rates may be slightly higher or lower than the rates outside. Some of the good places for shopping are:

If you're wanting the outdoor market experience, you could try the following local markets: Yoruba Road Market Ilorin, a public market located on Sulu Gambari Road, Ilorin. Baboko Market, a public market located at Oja Tutun, Ilorin. Ipata Market, a public market located at 28 Amilegbe Rd, Ilorin. New Kulende Market, a public market located at Jebba Road, Ilorin.

Eat

Tanke Region. Ilorin is one of the best places you can't go around with an empty stomach because there are a lot of places to eat. Here are the few places to eat at Tanke. There are other regions where you can eat asides Tanke, these include:

Drink

Drinks are available all over Ilorin. The major hotels have bars and restaurants where drinks can be purchased.

Frootify - a shop outlet where smoothie and other fruit juices are made and sold to shoppers. Located at Tanke axis of Ilorin South. Locale Nutri C - a shop outlet Where juices are made with side snacks which are sold to people. Located along university road Tanke

Sleep

Ilorin has some great hotels and guesthouses, meanwhile many more are being built. The cost of booking a hotel in Ilorin is cheaper when compared to other Nigerian cities like Lagos, Kaduna, and Abuja.

Stay safe

In general, Ilorin has become a much safer place to visit than before, except for occasional clashes and violence, the state of security in the city has relatively improved with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars, CCTV cameras (though this isn't always the case). But beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places.

While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone.

The people of Ilorin are generally nice and friendly people, most of whom will readily offer directions to you if you are lost.