Someone once said, “if we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.” We’re meant to travel and explore the world, especially the countries we live in, to create memories, cool off and connect with people. Moreover, if you’re reading this, you’re probably planning on visiting Uyo in 2023 and this article will guide you.
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About Uyo
Uyo is a not-so-small town located in the land of promise, Akwa Ibom state. Also, with over 400,000 residents, this beautiful city stretches over 140 square miles. Additionally, it boasts of a growing oil industry, a collection station for palm oil and kernels, local trade centres, 1 brewery, a textile mill, a federal university and an airport, among others. So if you are visiting Uyo, there is certainly a whole lot to do.
Things You Should Know About Visiting Uyo
When we visit new places, we want to explore them but most importantly, we want to feel safe and comfortable knowing that we have useful information about these places. Therefore, Here is some information we compiled to make your visit and/or relocation easier.
Language
You definitely don’t want to visit Uyo and get lost or cheated because you can’t speak their language. The most common language in Uyo is Ibibio. It is spoken everywhere so if you’re not familiar with it, be sure to tell whoever you’re talking to immediately or simply use Pidgin English. Generally, almost everyone in Nigeria understands it. So, if you pidgin is a little good, visiting Uyo should be top on your priority list.
Basic Terms You Should Know
These simple words will make your Uyo experience easier.
- Come – Di
- Stand up – Dakkada
- Sit – Suk tieh (pronounced ‘sook tee-ye’)
- Food – Ndidia
- Water – Mmong
- Please – Mbok
- Thank You – Sosongo
- I’m sorry – Mme do sorry
- Sorry – Kpe
- Forgive me – Daka nno
- Yes – Mmmm or Ehhhh
- No – Iyoh
- Drop me – Nsúk
- Okay – Ooh / Afon
Visiting Uyo – Traffic Rate
The more developed a city is, the more likely it is to have insane traffic. Subsequently, Uyo is one of Nigeria’s fast-developing cities with little to no traffic. The road network allows drivers to bypass the slightest delays, plus, the traffic wardens and lights are effective. This is a city where most streets are interconnected with good, tarred roads and people take traffic lights and parking seriously because the law makes no exception for defaulters.
However, during the morning rush hours (7 am – 9 am) and the evening time-out hours (6 pm – 8 pm), you will experience traffic on Uyo/Ikot Ekpene road and Oron road. Oron road often has go-slows because it has the most traffic lights. Nevertheless, the traffic never lasts for hours. The highest I’ve ever been in Uyo traffic is 10 minutes. Does that even qualify?
Traffic in Uyo is so seamless that you can calculate how long it will take you to go somewhere and return home, and it will be the same every day. Uyo is really just one big maze; a suburb with interconnected streets.
Visiting Uyo – Transportation
Public transportation in Uyo runs mostly on minibuses and tricycles (keke). There are taxis but they’ve almost become extinct because the buses are more comfortable. Also, motorcycles are only allowed in developing parts like Shelter Afrique Extension.
The mini-buses carry 1 person in the front seat and 6 persons at the back; that’s 3 persons per row. The taxis carry 2 persons in the front seat and 4 at the back. The tricycles carry 3 persons at the back and sometimes 1 person at the front.
People in Uyo often say, “you’re 200 naira away from me.” If you’re living on a budget, or you really want to cut down on your expenses, there is no better place than Uyo. With the recent increase in fuel price, the highest you will spend going somewhere and returning home is about 500 naira, and that’s if you have to stop at different places or you’re going towards the outskirts.
Also, if you prioritise your comfort and prefer private car service, Bolt is available and their prices are relatively low compared to other major cities. Moreover, Bolt tricycle (keke) is even available if you can’t afford to book a car. How easy is that!
Personal Tips for Visiting Uyo
- When you get to Uyo, please don’t run after a bus or cab, except it’s really late and there are just a few left. The drivers will park and wait for you to board or drive back to meet you where you stand.
- If you want to maximise your public transport experience, board a minibus and take the front seat. You won’t have to worry about body contact or small, tight spaces.
- Lastly, remember to put on your seatbelt, because drivers and traffic corps take that seriously and your safety is very important.
Business Operating Hours
When it comes to opening and closing places, Uyo is like a person that goes to bed early and still wakes up late in the morning. This is one of the peculiar features of Uyo. By 7 – 8 pm, most shops are closed and by 10 pm, the town is practically asleep, except for clubs and hotels. Businesses usually open by 8 – 9 am, or 7 am on a good day.
In addition, if you’re a nightlife lover, you’ll have to use your car or book a ride and go out with proper identification for when you meet security officers. You could sleep in jail till morning if you’re caught wandering at night.
In order to avoid being stranded, if you’re going to need something early in the morning, buy it the night prior to that morning. And in case you’ll need something late at night, buy it in the evening, else you might drive halfway across town and still not get it, or get it at a ridiculously inflated price.
Restricted Areas
Of course, you’re allowed to move about as freely as you like, but for your safety, avoid these places:
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