Other Services and Amenities
- Language Classes
- Yoruba language tutors available through the University (FUTA) staff or private tutors.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Ondo State Library Board (State Secretariat area).
- Community Centers
- Bustling youth activities at the Akure Tech Hub.
- Gaming Lounges
- PlayStation Hubs in the Ijapo area.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Sports betting shops like Bet9ja are ubiquitous; no major formal casinos.
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Alagbaka) and GIG Logistics (Arakale Road).
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Village Akure (near Arakale) for laptop and phone repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Akure Recreation Club.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 250,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 10,000,000 NGN).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 150,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 6,000,000 NGN).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 220,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 13,200,000 NGN).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 130,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 7,800,000 NGN).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 200,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 16,000,000 NGN).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 120,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 9,600,000 NGN).
- Corporate Tax
- 30% for large companies, 20% for medium companies.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents staying over 183 days.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 24%
- VAT
- 7.5%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, handled under the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) guidelines.
- Property Tax
- Yes, Land Use Charge varies by location and building type.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty (0.75% to 1.5%) plus Governor's Consent fees (varies).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa or tax break; most work on tourist/business visas under the radar.
Essentials
- City
- Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
- Population
- 715,000
- Internet Speed
- 25-50 Mbps on 4G/LTE; Fiber options available in Alagbaka via Tizeti or MTN Fiber.
- Currency & Banking
- Nigerian Naira (NGN). 1 USD ≈ 1,600 NGN (Fluctuating). ATMs like Zenith and GTBank are common.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water like Eva or Gossy (approx. 250 NGN per 75cl bottle).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style). Power supply is inconsistent; backup generators or solar are essential.
- SIM Card
- MTN and Airtel offer the best coverage. 10GB data costs approx. 3,500 NGN.
- Banking for Expats
- Kuda Bank, Moniepoint, and OPay are preferred digital banks for quick transfers.
- Accommodation
- Hotels like Sunview Hotel or private apartments via Booking.com; local agents for long-term stays.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly. POS terminals are widely used in supermarkets and hotels, but carry cash for local markets.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options in Alagbaka and Ijapo Estate ranging from 35,000 to 70,000 NGN per night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Bliss World Hotel or local guest houses in Oke-Ijebu (approx. 15,000 - 20,000 NGN per night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Alagbaka (High-end, safe, close to government offices and malls).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ijapo Estate or Oda Road (Quieter residential areas with better security and power consistency).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Curious Hub (Alagbaka) - Offers daily passes for approx. 3,000 NGN.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Chicken Republic (Alagbaka branch) or Fingerprint Cafe; both have decent seating and AC.
- Networking Events
- Tech events organized by Akure Tech Hub at FUTA or Startup Grind Akure meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday nights at The Dome (IGC) or networking at the Akure Recreation Club.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt is the primary ride-hailing app. Average city trip: 1,500 - 3,000 NGN.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Informal rentals only; 'Okada' (motorcycles) are common for short trips (200-500 NGN).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Araromi Beach (Igbokoda area), approx. 2.5 hours drive from Akure city center.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Peace and Overland Airways operate flights from Akure Airport (AKR).
- Top International Airline
- Connections through Lagos (LOS) via Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, or British Airways.
- Highway Access
- A122 connects Akure to Ibadan and Lagos; A123 connects to Benin City.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Akure North Park (Intercity buses like GIGM and Peace Mass Transit).
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital pass system; pay per trip in cash for 'Keke' (tricycles) and yellow buses.
- Regional Travel
- GIGM (God is Good Motors) for comfortable air-conditioned bus travel to Lagos or Abuja.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) or Jojein Medical Center.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Available via private instructors at high-end hotels like Sunview or Royal Birds Hotel.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- BodyTrust Gym (Alagbaka) or the gym facilities at de-Primal Hotel.
- Laundry Services
- CleanAce Dry Cleaners or local vendors like 'The Laundry Shop' in Ijapo.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Chowdeck or Glovo (limited); most use direct WhatsApp delivery from local eateries.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pounded Yam and Egusi Soup (Akure is famous for the quality of its yam).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fresh fruit markets (Oja Oba); 'Iyan' (pounded yam) is vegan if served with vegetable soup (Efo Riro) without meat.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Donut Factory near Shoprite or ice cream at Captain Cook.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Oja Oba (Kings Market) for local produce; Shoprite (Akure Mall) for groceries.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia Nigeria and Konga are the leading online retailers.
- Grocery Delivery
- PricePally (Bulk buy) or direct service from Shoprite Akure.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alagbaka strip featuring Signature Club and 02 Base.
- Local Brewery
- Nigerian Breweries (Star, Gulder) produced regionally; Palm Wine available at local 'joints'.
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop at Akure Mall offers international selections.
- Street Food Stalls
- Suya spots at Cathedral Junction (evening only); Akara (bean cakes) at most street corners.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mane Chinese Restaurant (Inside Sunview) or various Shawarma spots in Alagbaka.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Deji of Akure Palace and the Cave Ashes (Isarun).
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum Akure (Cultural artifacts and history of the Ekiti/Akure people).
- Historical Sites
- The ancient palace architecture of the Deji of Akure.
- Religious Sites
- Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral and various historic mosques in the city center.
- Annual Events
- Egungun Festival and the Oyemekun Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Isinkan and Isolo areas for traditional festivals.
- Theater Venues
- Ondo State Cultural Centre.
- Local Markets
- Isikan Market and Shasha Market (Northern goods and spices).
- Music Scene
- Live Highlife bands at the Akure Recreation Club.
- Street Art
- Murals around the FUTA (Federal University of Tech) campus gate.
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions available through local chefs at 'The Kitchen' school.
- Art Galleries
- Individual artist studios near the FUTA Department of Industrial Design.
- Historic Buildings
- The old colonial district around the Governor's office.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Oyemekun' identity, celebrating the town’s bravery and agricultural roots.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Idanre Hills (UNESCO site) - 30 minutes away; 682 steps to the top for 1,000-year-old history.
- National Parks Nearby
- Omo Forest Reserve (approx. 2 hours away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Oda Road provides long stretches for morning jogging; no dedicated bike lanes.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The peak of Idanre Hills looking down onto the ancient town.
- Birdwatching Locations
- FUTA Wildlife Park and surrounding forest reserves.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted at private resorts like Elizade University Smokin Hills (Ilara-Mokin).