Sagamu
Sagamu, also known as Ishagamu, is a city in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. The city is a conglomeration of thirteen towns located in Ogun State along the Ibu River and Eruwuru Stream between Lagos and Ibadan. Sagamu was founded in the mid 19th century by members of the Remo branch of the Yoruba people in south-western Nigeria. It is bounded by Odogbolu local Government, Lagos State, Ikenne Local Government and Obafemi Owode Local Government in the East, North and West respectively.
Understand
Sagamu has a population of 355,900 and occupies an area of 605.6 km². The Sagamu region is underlain by major deposits of limestone, which is used in the city's major industry, the production of cement. Agricultural products of the region include cocoa and kola nuts. Sagamu is the largest kola nut collecting center in the country. Remo lanuage is the main local language of Sagamu people. It is the host of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
Farming is the major occupation of the people Sagamu. Majority of the famers in Agamu are Kola-nut farmers. As a result, Kolanut is seen as their major cash crop. The kolanut industry supports several secondary industries such as basket and rope manufacturing, which are used to store the kolanuts. Other food crop such as cassava, melon maize and yam are however grown as supplement crops.
The city was founded in the mid-19th century when several small towns united for purpose of defense during the wars brought about by the fall of the Oyo Empire. Sagamu controlled the trade routes between the ports in the Niger Delta and the Yoruba mainland until the British occupied the city at the end of the 19th century. It is also the capital of Remo Kingdom. Sagamu has experienced both population and economic growth since the 1950s due to its position between the cities of Ibadan and Lagos.
Sagamu is in rainforest region. It also host Olabisi Onabanjo University's college of medicine, Pharmacy and Basic Medical Sciences (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology etc.)
Get in
Prospective visitors who wish to come to Sagamu have various options available to them.
By plane
Sagamu does not have a civilian airport. You can fly into a nearby city and come here using another method of transportation. Prospective visitors wishing to Come to Sagamu by Air would have to make use of Murtala Muhamed International Airport Lagos, Lagos or Ibadan Airport
By bus
Different transport companies offer daily services from almost all major cities around the country.
Get around
By shared taxis
Taxis are abundant in Sagamu, they are hailed down by the roadside .The driver usually takes four passengers, three at the back and one in front. Fare range from ₦50-100.
By minibuses
Minibuss are scattered around the city and township plying every nook and cranny some of the drivers could be erratic. Fare ₦50-100.
By tricycles
Happy-go-lucky drivers move people around in this. Fare ₦50-100.
By motorcycles
If you desire speed to move around, motorcycles available for a token fare.
See
Sagamu is not a tourist city but there are many relaxation centers in the town.
- 1 Akarigbo's Palace. This is a palace of the paramount ruler of Sagamu. The Akarigbo of remo land, Sagamu. It sits on 6 hectares of land. It is a beautiful palace.
- 2 Gateway International Stadium, Ikenne Road, ☏ +234 802 698 0278.
Do
Buy
Markets
- 1 Sabo Market. A popular five days market in the heart of Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. The market is very popular among the people of Ogun State. The market was popular for selling raw farm produce to the people as both sellers and buyers came from every angle in Remo. In Sagamu market, one can get different commodities to buy; commodities such as staple produce (rice, beans, garri, yam flour, etc.), palm/groundnut oil, textile materials, herbal products, live goats, frozen sea foods, beverages, milks, biscuits etc. Sagamu Market is usually open on a daily basis.
- 2 Awolowo Market. Along Express Rd, it runs every day but also have a particular day called Market day making the market full and stuffs are sold cheaper.
Supermarkets
Some of the good places for shopping for such items like beverages, cosmetic products, beverages, grocery store, in-store, furniture, household wares, toiletries among many others
- Town Square Market. Located at 68 GRA road. The store opens from Monday to Sunday 8AM-10PM. ☏ +234 806 842 6834
- Safeway Store. The store opens on Monday to Saturday 8AM-9PM. ☏ +234 803 722 3991.
- Somag Stores. It opens from Monday to Saturday 8AM-6PM.
- Asake Cosmetics opens from Monday to Saturday 8AM-7PM. ☏ +234 818 625 4035.
- Maranatha Supermart, Falawo Market, off Ewusi Street. ☏ +234 802 842 5931.
- Arkshield Supermarket, Akarigbo Street. From Mondays to Saturdays 8AM-8PM. ☏ +234 806 690 1545.
- Patebeauty Lounge, Ewusi Street, Sagamu. It opens on every Monday 24 hours ☏ +234 812 326 8421.
- God first store, Block AB3/4, Awolowo Market. Opens Mondays to Saturdays 8AM-8PM. ☏ +234 806 689 9312.
- Sebiotimo Store, Block R8, Awolowo Market. It opens Mondays to Saturdays 8AM-6PM. ☏ +234 803 4237 892.
- Tobiloba Store, Block M5, Awolowo Market. It opens on Mondays to Saturday 8AM-9PM. ☏ +234 806 1539 440.
Eat
Sagamu has a number of restaurants where visitors can sample a taste of the city’s amazing local dishes and other foreign dishes. Most of them offer dine-in, take away and delivery services. These restaurants are:
- 1 Iya Toyosi, ☏ +234 902 3658 741. Daily 8AM-11PM. After Awolowo market Express Rd.
- 2 La Rasita Place, No. 94 Ewusi St, ☏ +234 816 6542 450. Daily 9AM-7PM.
- 3 Spicy M Restaurant, No. 50 Agura Rd. Daily 7AM-9AM.
- 4 Ayobami Food Canteen Annex. Daily 8AM-9PM.
- 5 Olaass Café, No. 79 GRA Road, ☏ +234 802 3080 411. Daily 9AM-9PM.
- 6 Right Options Eatery, No. 10 Akarigbo St, ☏ +234 803 9198 645. Daily 7AM-10PM.
- 7 Sizzles Confectionary, Ajegunle St, ☏ +234 909 1111 010. Daily 7AM-9:30PM.
- 8 Mr. Bigg's, ☏ +234 704 3050 439. Daily 6:30AM-9PM.
- 9 Foladimo Bakery, Eatery and Confectionary, Km 20, ijebu-ode, Lagos - Ibadan Expy, Oke-Alafon, Oru, ☏ +234 809 074 7082. Daily 8AM-8PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery.
Drink
At Sagamu, there are various bars and joints visitors can go to drink various kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and enjoy themselves. These bars and joints include:
- Tripple A Spot Bar, Shagamu Shofola Street, Sagamu. It opens daily 6:30AM-11PM. ☏ +234 814 3070 743.
- Emmadorc Bar, Ewusi Street, Sagamu. It opens daily 24 hours.
- Jisoro Cool Spot, GRA Road, Sagamu. It opens daily 10AM-midnight.
- Onihale Progressive Club, Ewusi Street, Sagamu
- D’Elders Lounge & Bar, GRA Road, Sagamu. It opens daily 7AM-11PM. ☏ +234 806 0847 687.
- On The Road Bar & Night Clubs, Oba Erinwole Road, Sagamu. This bar opens daily 9AM-noon.
- Sansiro Lounfe, 12b Surulere road, Sagamu. It is open 24 hours. ☏ +234 815 4446 544.
- Redgate Restolounge & Resorts, Obafemi Awolowo Ave, Sagamu. It opens daily noon-midnight. ☏ +234 803 7257 996.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Redgate Restolounge and Resorts, 23 Obafemi Awolowo Ave, 121102, GRA Quarters, Sagamu. This one of the hotel one can get on a budget in Sagamu. Their price range is from ₦9,000-₦18,500 avg/per night. It has restaurant, bar, swimming pool and free wifi. It is about an hour drive from the Muritala International Airport, Lagos.
- 2 Soye Hotel, No.15 Isiaka Oduntan Street, Along Nulec Road, Sagamu, Benin Express Road. Their price range is ₦6,000-₦10,000 avg/per night. It has restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool and free wifi. Soye Hotel, 121102, Sagamu, Ogun State.
- Sagamu Palace Hotel, Palace Quarters, GRA. This is one of the hotels one gan get at a pocket friendly rate in Sagamu. Their price is ₦6,000 avg/per night. It has a restaurant, bar, gym and swimming pool.
- 3 Remo Majestic Hotel, Along Afolabi, Kehinde Isijola Ave, ☏ +234814 730 3520. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a shared lounge, along with WiFi. The hotel provides an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Each room is equipped with a wardrobe and a private bathroom. ₦7,000.
- Citizens Suites, No. 63, Paddy Arikawe Street, GRA. Their price is ₦14,000 avg/per night.
- 4 Sunrise Hotel And Conference Center, Plot 15 Bolanle Avenue, Sunrise Estate, By Odo-Eran, Off Oba Erinwole Awolesi Road, ☏ +234 802 534 7298. It has restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool and free wifi. ₦8,000.
- Limtob Hotel, 223, Akarigbo Street, Sabo. Their price range is ₦5,000-6,000 per night. It has a restaurant and bar.
- Hilltop Hotel is located at No.1 Omoba Daisi Akitan Avenue. Their price is ₦8,050 per night. It has restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool and free, wifi. Their price is ₦6,930 per night. It has restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool and free, wifi.
- 5 Sagamu Palace Hotel, Palace quarters, GRA. It is a 3-star hotel. Large and spacious though old. They offer free breakfast, free parking, outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, laundry service, and room service. The Restaurant caters for all members of the family. This hotel is guarded by security personnel and has an on-site parking space. ₦4,000-5,500.
- Mabseed Suites, Sakora, Aiyepe Rd off Sagamu Local Government Sagamu. It provides a bar. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the hotel, each room includes air conditioning and a flat-screen TV.
- Edge Apartment, 3 Sunday Owotutu Street Sagamu. Their accommodation is fully air-conditioned with a balcony. The apartment features 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen, a washing machine and 5 bathrooms with a shower.
- 6 Moye Sagamu, 5 Abdul Abayomi St, ☏ +234 8023924167. A low budget hotel with relatively decent lodging.The rooms are pretty small. ₦8615.
Splurge
- 7 Conference Hotel and Suites, Plot 11 & 13 Kolawole Oye-Igbemo Street, Off Obafemi Awolowo Road, GRA, 121001, ☏ +234 7083061470. It is a four-star hotel with serene environment,clean air and great sight.They offer free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor swimming pool, a modern gym for guests to engage in workout sessions, a night club, barbeque, grill garden, restaurant and bar/lounge, a beautiful terrace, 24-hour electricity and an adequate parking space. ₦22,500-120,000.
- 8 Nandas Hotel, 77/79 Ajegunle Street, off Akarigbo Road, ☏ +234 9024851124. They have great ambience, well trained and courteous staff. They have a swimming pool, offer free parking, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. It is a 3-star though you feel 5-star. It also has a restaurant, executive bar, indoor swimming pool, multi-purpose event hall, conference hall and meeting room, a modern gym and night life activities. ₦25,000-75,000.
- 9 Ogere Resort, KM 67, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Ogere-Remo, Ogun State Ogere-Remo, ☏ +234 906 247 0474. ₦40,000.
Stay safe
In general, Sagamu has become a safer place to visit now than before, with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars. 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 on the alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups instead of going out alone. The people of Sagamu are generally nice and friendly people, most of whom will readily offer directions to you if you are lost. Sagamu still has its fair share of street beggars with psychological disorders and physically challenged people.
There are police officers who are corrupt and inefficient so it is best that you stick to places and people you know and avoid going anywhere without a trusted guide if it is a first visit. Also, travelers and visitors who wish to move around Sagamu with taxi or bus should endeavor to sanitize their hands and wear their face masks to avoid being seriously infected with the coronavirus and other infectious diseases.
Connect
The networks in some parts of Sagamu can be very erratic at times. On certain days you cannot make a phone call and send text messages at all or you will not be able to recharge your phone for the most of the days and this makes business very difficult at times. However, this situation is occasional but to be on the safe side, if you want to stay for a long term, make sure that you have at least two phones or a phone that has dual SIM.
Go next
There are many states and cities you can go to from Sagamu such states and cities include: