Long Read
Osogbo in 2026: A Budget Student's Honest Take
so here's the deal-osogbo isn't exactly on every digital nomad's radar, but if you're a budget student like me, it's got a weird charm. i moved here for uni, and after a year of surviving on noodles and cheap transport, i've got opinions.
the cost of living (aka why my wallet still exists)
rent for a decent single room off-campus? about 150k-200k naira/year. that's roughly $100-$130 if you're converting. not bad, right? food's cheap too-a plate of iyan and egusi at a bukka near obafemi awolowo way costs less than 1k. transport is a joke: bike rides rarely go above 150 naira.
| Expense | Monthly Cost (NGN) | Monthly Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (shared) | 15,000-20,000 | $10-13 |
| Food (eating out) | 30,000 | $20 |
| Transport | 5,000 | $3 |
| Utilities | 8,000 | $5 |
| *Total | 58,000 | $38 |
source: my own broke-a spreadsheet.
safety - the gossip i overheard
okay, osogbo's generally chill, but like any city, it's got its spots. a girl in my class got her phone snatched near the stadium last month-lesson: don't flash gadgets at night. the area around the osun sacred grove? super safe, lots of tourists and art folks. but the backstreets near oja oba market after 8pm? maybe don't.
> “if you hear drumming at midnight near the grove, don’t go investigate. just... don’t.”
> - over-cautious roommate, probably exaggerating
weather and neighbors
it’s hot. like, “i regret wearing this black shirt” hot. rainy season turns everything into a mud bath, so invest in rubber sandals. osogbo's surrounded by smaller towns like ile-ife (30 mins by bus) and ilorin (2 hours), both worth a weekend trip if you need a change of scenery.
what keeps me here
1. cheap living - i can afford netflix and still eat out.
2. art scene - the osogbo arts and metalworks are insane; check out nigerian museums for exhibits.
3. people - locals are way friendlier than in lagos. i once got free jollof from a stranger's mom.
4. nature - osun sacred grove isn’t just for history nerds; it's a legit escape from lecture stress.
the downsides (because i'm not a shill)
- power outages are a weekly event. get a power bank or befriend someone with a generator.
- nightlife is... limited. clubs exist, but they're more “family party” than “rave.”
- internet can be trash. i've rage-quit zoom classes mid-session.
final verdict
if you're a student, artist, or just someone who wants to live cheap while figuring life out, osogbo’s a solid pick. it's not flashy, but it's real. and honestly? i've grown to love the chaos.
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- https://topiclo.com/post/dasmarias-weather-chaos-a-year-of-sweat-storms-and-surprises
- https://topiclo.com/post/shopping-in-bristol-from-quirky-stalls-to-shiny-malls-and-everything-in-between
- https://topiclo.com/post/monrovias-secret-spots-that-even-locals-pretend-they-dont-know-about