Ibadan Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Ibadan Airport (Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, IBA), in the Alakia district northeast of the city, received clearance from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority for scheduled flights on 16 December 2025, after runway extension works and a new terminal building. It is a small airport still without hotels on site or public transport links: every transfer requires a taxi, with routes of 13-18 km to the residential districts where the city's hotels are concentrated. Iyaganku and Jericho, to the southwest, gather the best-known international hotels; Bodija and Samonda, towards the north in the direction of the University of Ibadan, remain an alternative with a slightly shorter trip.

Iyaganku and Jericho (GRA)

Neighbourhood · About 14-18 km from Alakia airport, 30-35 minutes by taxi according to estimates given by the hotels themselves; there are no buses or shuttles, the only connection is by taxi.

Best for: Those looking for Ibadan's best-known international hotels, in two historic Government Reservation Areas southwest of the centre.

Pros

Two central Government Reservation Areas, with Cocoa House and the National Museum of Unity a few minutes from the Best Western Plus
International chain hotels with pool, gym and in-house restaurant, useful after a long flight

Cons

No public transport from the airport: every transfer is by taxi, 30-35 minutes on often congested roads
Reviews of the Best Western Plus point to maintenance and service below the chain's usual standard

Recommended hotels in this area

Best Western Plus Ibadan: In GRA Iyaganku, a few minutes from Cocoa House (2.3 km) and the National Museum of Unity; 55 rooms across Deluxe, Executive and two Presidential Suites, part of the international Best Western chain.
Golden Tulip Ibadan: In GRA Jericho (Quarter 781), a 60-room hotel of the international Golden Tulip chain, with outdoor pool, children's pool, gym and an all-day restaurant.

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Bodija and Samonda

Neighbourhood · About 13-16 km from the airport, 20-30 minutes by taxi according to estimates given by the hotels; here too there are no buses or shuttles.

Best for: Those who prefer the residential area north of the city, near the Bodija market and the University of Ibadan, with a slightly shorter trip from the airport.

Pros

An affluent residential area, with the Bodija market and the University of Ibadan nearby
A slightly shorter trip from the airport than Iyaganku and Jericho

Cons

Few restaurants or venues within walking distance, without a taxi
A more limited choice of international chain hotels than the GRA area

Recommended hotels in this area

Adis Hotels Prime: In New Bodija, about 13 km from the airport; outdoor pool, restaurant, communal lounge and free private parking.
Brava Hotel: On Samonda Road, in the Samonda area near the University of Ibadan; pool, spa and in-house restaurant.

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