Lafiagi

Lafiagi is in Kwara State. Lafiagi town is in Kwara state, west central Nigeria, on the south bank of the Niger River.

History
Lafiagi was founded in 1810 by Malam Maliki and his brother Manzuma, two Fulani leaders from Gwandu, 250 mi (400 km) north-northwest, as a fortified town in Nupe territory. Following Maliki’s death in 1824, the Emir of Gwandu named Manzuma as Lafiagi’s first emir. The Lafiagi emirate survived serious Nupe revolts in the late 1820s and again in the late 1890s, with the aid of the forces of the Royal Niger Company. The Lafiagi ruler, whose title was changed from emir to chief in 1949, has served since 1954 as the chairman of the Federated Council of Lafiagi, Sharagi, and Shonga (20 mi northwest), founded by Maliki’s son, Aliyu. Lafiagi is now the headquarters of the Edun Local Government Council. Most of the traditional emirate’s inhabitants are Muslim Nupe people.

A market centre for rice, yams, sorghum, millet, corn (maize), sugarcane, kola nuts, peanuts (groundnuts), palm produce, fish, cattle, and cotton, the town is also a collecting point for the rice grown on the fadamas (“floodplains”) of the Niger and for dried fish. Cotton and tobacco are local cash crops, and cotton weaving is traditionally important. Lafiagi has a government maternity clinic and dispensary. Pop. (2008 est.) 30,976.

Get in
Getting to Lafiagi you need to get to Ilorin first, the capital of Kwara State. The city of Ilorin serves as a gateway between the northern and southern part of Nigeria.

By plane
You can fly in from other Nigerian cities (Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna).

The Ilorin international airport is also used for domestic flights to other cities within the country and international flights to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah.

By train
Rail services in Nigeria are still very slow and unreliable but several routes have reappeared. Nigerian Railway Corporation have daily services from Ilorin via Ibadan, and an overnight service from Kano via Kaduna a few times per week. A new higher speed railway is under construction and is expected to be completed in the 2020s, resulting in increased speeds and frequency.

By bus
Several bus companies like Young Legacy, Mufsuf Motors, Kasmag line, Okin Express offers daily services from almost all major cities (Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Kaduna, Kabba, Lokoja, Sokoto, Kano, Makurdi, etc.)  around the country. While buses usually are quite comfortable, journey times are very long.

There are also independent transporters under the aegis of the national union of road transport workers (NURTW) and road transport employees association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in various parks, such as Post Office, Offa garage, and Maraba who travel to various towns within and outside the state. From Ilorin you can only board a bus to Lafiagi. Buses are available in all terminals.

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.

By bus
Ilorin now has decent mass transit buses, courtesy of the Maigida Soludero Mass Transit (MST) schemes. The MST buses have their major terminal at Post Office area of Ilorin, and offer travel services to the University of Ilorin, Offa garage, Kwara State Polytechnic, Tanke, Oyun, and Sango. The tickets for the MST can be purchased at the bus stops before boarding. Tickets range from ₦50-150, as of 2021.

By car
The road network of Ilorin city for most part is good, but there is sometimes traffic congestion and parking spaces can be scarce, especially during working hours. Be sure to be on the lookout for road signs, in order to avoid entering one-way roads or streets. Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) is the body responsible for managing traffic in most of the traffic congestion areas. Make sure to follow traffic rules. There are car parks around in hotels and shopping malls, most of which provide free and safe parking.

By taxi
One of the easiest ways to get around Ilorin city is by taxi. Taxis are relatively cheap and cost about ₦50-100 per drop. Ilorin city taxis are painted green and yellow and most of them are Mazda cabs.

By motorbike
For traveling short distances, you can use motorbike taxis called Okada. These motorbikes are quick, cheap, and save a lot of walking. Okada accidents are common but safety equipment is now provided because the state government and the Federal Road Safety Commission have mandated it. Before you try and negotiate any transportation fare, always confirm the fare from a local. If you have a Nigerian friend, let them negotiate for you as the quoted fare differs greatly for locals and foreigners.

Safety helmets are a must at all times for both the rider and passenger. Majority of the times these are ill-fitting.

Stay safe
In general, Kwara State 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.

Go next

 * Ibadan
 * Ogbomosho
 * Lagos
 * Ibadan
 * Offa
 * Omu-aran