One of the awkward moments for an average Nigerian is getting lost while driving or in public transport, with no clue what your destination looks like, so you have to rely on the ‘conductor.’
If you’re new to Surulere, you can avoid this.
At RentHouseSurulere, we spend every day navigating these streets, helping people find homes, meet up for inspections, and settle into the heart of Surulere.
In this review, we’ll walk you through some of Surulere’s most well-known bus stops and the various places they connect to.
10 Top Bus Stops in Surulere For Navigation
The popular names are Barracks, Ojuelegba, Stadium, and Iponri. Other notable areas with bus stops are Shitta, Ogunlana, Orile, and Gbaja. Let’s look into these places one after the other:
1. Bode Thomas Busstop
Bode Thomas is one of the central bus stops in Surulere. It gets its name from the famous Bode Thomas Street, a prominent road in Surulere. Historically, this bus stop has been named after Bode Thomas, a notable Nigerian figure in the 1950s.
Where it links to: The Bode Thomas bus stop connects Surulere to other major areas, such as Yaba, Lagos Mainland, and parts of Lagos Island. It’s also close to the popular Alhaji Masha area.
How to get there: If you’re coming from Ojuelegba or the National Stadium, you can easily catch a bus heading towards Bode Thomas. From there, you can easily reach other nearby spots like Masha or even take a walk to the Surulere shopping district.
2. Ojuelegba Busstop
Ojuelegba is one of the busiest bus stops in Surulere. The name Ojuelegba is derived from “Oju,” meaning “eye,” and “Elegba,” a reference to a Yoruba deity of crossroads.
The area has a rich cultural history, and the bus stop is named after the prominent location. At least, many people are familiar with Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” track.
Where it links to: This bus stop is strategically placed to connect Surulere to other parts of Lagos, including Ikorodu, Mushin, and Lagos Island. Ojuelegba is renowned for being a key connecting point to various parts of the city.
How to get there: If you’re traveling from the mainland, especially places like Ikeja, Yaba, or even Agege, you’ll find buses that head straight to Ojuelegba. Both major bus routes and the Lagos Railway also link it.
3. Stadium Busstop
The National Stadium is a popular landmark, and the bus stop gets its name from its proximity to this key venue.
Where it links to: This stop is well-connected to neighborhoods like Bode Thomas, Masha, and even parts of Lagos Island. It also offers access to the Stadium Complex, where many sports events, concerts, and exhibitions are held.
How to get there: From the Alaka or Iponri areas, you can easily catch a bus heading toward the National Stadium. It’s also a popular bus stop for those attending sporting events or concerts at the venue.
4. Masha Busstop
Masha is another well-known bus stop situated near the Bode Thomas area. It’s named after the Masha estate, which houses several commercial and residential buildings.
The bus stop itself is typically full of commuters heading to or coming from Surulere’s main commercial areas.
Where it links to: Masha connects to Bode Thomas and Ojuelegba, making it a key hub for moving between Surulere and other areas, such as Yaba, Ikeja, and Lagos Island.
How to get there: If you’re traveling from areas like Iponri or even from parts of Lagos Island, you can catch buses heading towards Masha. It’s well connected to key roads in Surulere.
5. Iponri Busstop
Iponri is another popular bus stop in Surulere. The name Iponri comes from the local Iponri neighborhood, which has a mix of residential and commercial properties.
Where it links to: Iponri connects the Surulere area to both Lagos Mainland and other parts of the city, such as Orile, Yaba, and Lagos Island.
How to get there: From places like Alaka or Masha, you can catch a bus heading straight to Iponri. It’s a central stop for those commuting from Surulere.
6. Teslim Balogun Stadium Busstop
Named after the famous Nigerian footballer Teslim Balogun, who played for the national team, this bus stop is located near the Teslim Balogun Stadium, one of Lagos’ major sports venues.
Where it links to: The Teslim Balogun bus stop connects Surulere with areas like Bode Thomas, Masha, and other parts of the Lagos Mainland.
How to get there: If you’re heading to Teslim Balogun, catch buses coming from the Iponri or Ojuelegba routes, and you’ll be on your way to this sports hub.
7. Lawanson Busstop
Lawanson is one of Surulere’s most vibrant and densely populated bus stops. The name “Lawanson” is tied to a family lineage that historically owned large portions of land in the area.
Where it links to: Lawanson connects Surulere to Mushin, Ojuelegba, and Idi-Araba. It’s a key point for travelers heading toward the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ladipo Market, and other commercial areas.
How to get there: From Ojuelegba, you can board a tricycle (keke) or a mini-bus (korope) going directly to Lawanson. It’s also accessible from areas like Itire and Aguda.
8. Aguda Market Busstop
Aguda is a peaceful yet lively neighborhood in Surulere, and its bus stop serves a large number of daily commuters.
The name “Aguda” is of Yoruba origin and is closely tied to the Aguda community, which has historical ties to returnee Brazilians in Lagos.
Where it links to: Aguda links you to Bode Thomas, Cele (on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway), and Ijesha. It’s also connected to residential estates, such as Eric Moore, and community markets within Surulere.
How to get there: You can reach Aguda from Bode Thomas, Ijesha, or even from Cele Express via tricycle (keke). It’s a central pick-up and drop-off spot for residents living in the inner parts of Surulere.
9. Ijesha Busstop
Ijesha is another major bus stop situated at the edge of Surulere, near the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The name “Ijesha” refers to people from the Ijesha ethnic group of Osun State, many of whom have settled in this area.
Where it links to: Ijesha connects Surulere to Cele, Mile 2, and the Lagos-Badagry route. It is also a short ride to Aguda and Bode Thomas.
How to get there: From Cele, you can board a keke or mini-bus heading to Ijesha. If you’re already in Surulere, you can reach Ijesha through Aguda or from Stadium via the inner route.
10. Barracks Busstop
Barracks bus stop is a major transportation hub along Western Avenue (formerly Funsho Williams Avenue) in Surulere.
The name “Barracks” comes from the nearby Army Barracks located in the area, which is why you’ll often hear commuters say, “drop me at Barracks,” especially when heading toward Lagos Island.
It’s the last major stop in Surulere before the road continues into Costain, Eko Bridge, and Lagos Island.
Where It Links To: Barracks extends north into Ojuelegba and Stadium (Surulere core), but southwards, it connects to Costain, CMS, and Lagos Island. It also connects to Alaka, Iponri, and Bode Thomas.
How to Get There: From Ojuelegba or Yaba, take any bus heading toward CMS or Obalende. Barracks is one of the major stops on that route.
From the Island, if you board a bus coming from CMS/Obalende to Ojuelegba or Stadium, ask to alight at Barracks. You can also connect from Alaka and Stadium through the inner routes.
Final Words
One thing I’ve learned in Surulere is that you can rely heavily on landmarks to navigate. For example, Teslim Balogun Stadium and the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall (SHOPRITE) are great reference points.
If you’re lost or unsure about where to go, simply ask someone for directions using these well-known landmarks.
Meanwhile, if you’re planning to head toward Lagos Island (like Victoria Island or Lekki), the Iponri bus stop connects well to the Iponri Bridge leading directly to Lagos Island.
If you’re coming from Ojuelegba, heading to Yaba or Fadeyi also leads directly toward the Lagos Mainland.
