Oyo Oyo State, Nigeria Travel Guide
Local SIM cards are easily purchased from the biggest mobile networks in Nigeria: MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile. Vendor stalls appear at air terminals and throughout towns.
Internet access mainly relies on mobile data plans purchased with local SIM cards. Mobile networks are generally good in urban centers like Oyo.
While you find English speakers, specifically in formal settings, communication can be limited in local markets or rural settings where Yoruba is mainly spoken.
Learning a few basic Yoruba phrases demonstrates respect and usually opens pathways to warmer interactions.
Major Holidays include: New Year's Day, Easter (Good Friday/Easter Monday holiday), Workers' Day (May 1), Democracy Day (June 12), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha (dates vary based on the lunar calendar), Independence Day (October 1), December 25th, and Boxing Day.
Engage with Oyo's cultural heritage with understanding and consideration.
Greetings hold good value for money in Yoruba culture. Always greet people, especially elders, before commencing conversation or business. Traditional Yoruba greetings involve prostration for men and kneeling for women to elders. A respectful bow, a slight nod, or placing your left hand under your right forearm during a handshake is appreciated. Handshakes are common, usually with the right hand.
Modest attire holds value. Women's shoulders and knees remain covered. Men dress smartly casual. This applies especially when visiting traditional leaders, religious sites, or rural communities. When entering a mosque or some traditional sacred areas, women may need head coverings (carry a scarf). Shoes are often removed.
Eat with the right hand if consuming traditional 'swallow' meals. The left hand is considered unclean. Accept offers of food and drink graciously, even if you take only a small portion. Tipping is not mandatory but is welcomed for good service (see Section 2.3).
Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially children or within private compounds or palace grounds. Be discreet.
Nigeria is a conservative society with generally traditional gender roles.
Patience and a flexible attitude are greatly helpful when encountering cultural differences or logistical challenges. A smile goes a long way.
Travelers with mobility challenges face significant hurdles in Oyo due to underdeveloped infrastructure.
Infrastructure is generally very poor for travelers with mobility challenges. Sidewalks are often uneven, broken, or non-existent.
No expert services for travelers with visual or hearing impairments are widely available or advertised for tourists.
ATMs are available at bank branches and some key commercial points. However, functionality can be intermittent due to the network issues, power outages, or machines running out of cash.
Patience and a flexible attitude are greatly helpful when encountering cultural differences or logistical challenges. A smile goes a long way.
