In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Nigeria
Idah
Idah is a half-day stop on the Niger River in Kogi State: see the market and the riverbank, then move on to Lokoja or Anyigba.
Idah is a small town on the eastern bank of the Niger River in Kogi State, central Nigeria. Its main draw is the riverside setting and the busy Idah Main Market. Most travellers pass through in a few hours or stay one night en route to Lokoja or Anyigba.
- Country
- Nigeria
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- Avoid
- Apr–Oct (rainy season, some roads become muddy)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- NGN
- Money
- Currency is the Nigerian naira (NGN, ₦). Exchange rates have moved sharply; change money only at banks or licensed operators.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₦5,000–10,000 excl. bed · Mid ₦10,000–20,000 excl. bed · High ₦20,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile; SIM registration needs a passport and NIN-style biometric capture — foreigners register at company offices (check).
- Emergency
- National emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types G, D · 230 V · 50 Hz · Grid power is unreliable; hotels run generators. Bring a power bank.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 5–10% if service is not added.; Driver day: ₦5,000–10,000.; Hotel porter: ₦500–1,000.; Guide: ₦5,000–10,000 per group.; Parking attendant ('agbero' or official): A few hundred naira; only to official attendants.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap. Bottled or sealed sachet water ('pure water') from known brands.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; carry tissue and hand sanitiser.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle taxi (short ride) | ₦200–500 |
| Shared taxi to Lokoja | ₦1,500–2,500 |
| Local meal (rice and stew, jollof, or pounded yam with soup) | ₦500–1,500 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | ₦200–400 |
| Beer (bottle) | ₦500–1,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ABB · Anambra International Airport (Onitsha area)
- Nearest airport with scheduled flights; road transfer to Idah takes several hours — check current road and security conditions before booking.
- ABV · Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
- Main international gateway; long road transfer south-east to Idah via Lokoja — check conditions.
Typical fares
- Motorcycle taxi (short ride)
- ₦200–500
- Shared taxi to Lokoja
- ₦1,500–2,500 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Motorcycle taxis (okada) are the main way to get around town. A bike ride from the LGA secretariat to Ega market takes about 5 minutes. Walking is fine within the market area.
See and do
Known for
- Idah Main Market
- Niger River waterfront
- Ega Market
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lokoja | Bus or shared taxi via the Idah–Lokoja road, about 1.5–2 h | About 2 h |
| Anyigba | Bus or shared taxi, about 45 min | About 1 h |
| Kabba | Bus or shared taxi via Lokoja, about 2.5–3 h | About 3.5 h |
Sleep
- Town centre (near Idah Main Market)
- Closest to markets and river; basic guesthouses.
- Idah-Ajaka Express Way
- A few hotels and guesthouses along the main road.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Sannusan-nu |
| Thank you | Nagodena-go-de |
| How much? | Nawa?na-wa |
| I don't understand | Ban gane baban ga-ne ba |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Greet with a handshake and a question about family; Yoruba juniors may bow or kneel to elders; avoid: Rushing to business
- Titles: Use Sir, Ma, Chief, Alhaji; avoid: First names with older people
- Hands: Right hand to give, receive and eat; avoid: The left hand for money or food
- Dress: Smart clothes for churches, offices and events; modest dress in the north; avoid: Shorts in the north
- Hospitality: Accept food or drink offered; avoid: Flat refusals
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Police, soldiers, airports, government buildings
Scams and watch-outs
- Check your government's travel advice for Kogi State before visiting.
- Motorcycle taxis: agree the fare before you get on.
- Markets can be crowded; keep valuables secure.
- Rainy season (Apr–Oct) can make some roads difficult.
Check your government's travel advice for Kogi State. Idah is generally calm, but standard precautions apply: avoid walking alone after dark, keep valuables out of sight, and agree taxi fares upfront.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Idah yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Idah Main Market
- Niger River waterfront
- Ega Market
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Idah, revision 4464737 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4464737
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Idah
Kai ni zuwa wannan adireshin
Take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- National emergency112
Hausa is widely spoken in northern Kogi; English and Nigerian Pidgin also work.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/idah). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.