This guide breaks down the short but often busy commute from Onikan to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS). Even though they are right next to each other on Lagos Island, navigating the traffic hotspots, gridlocks, and knowing the right bus stops will save you a lot of time and money.
Hotspots
Best Time to Travel
Between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM is the smoothest time to move. Avoid the morning rush hour from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM when workers are flooding the Island, and the evening rush from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM when the main terminal blocks up completely.
Chance to get bus/car
Small queue at the park
Hold-up Delay Today
7 mins delay
Time you will wait at park
7 to 12 mins wait
Fare Price Level
Fares are slightly higher (1.25x)
How Road Be Now
Traffic is easing up as the day winds down.
Hold-up delay
+2 mins delay
* Based on regular route reports
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Walk out from your street in Onikan to the main road near the National Museum or Onikan Roundabout.
Stand by the roadside and look for a short-shuttle Danfo bus heading towards CMS or Obalende that passes through the square. Signal the conductor clearly.
Tell the conductor you will 'drop' at TBS or Outer Marina lane. Stay alert so you do not pass your stop.
Alight carefully from the bus at the final drop-off point and walk directly into the main Tafawa Balewa Square complex.
Always carry smaller cash denominations like ₦100 and ₦200 notes so you do not have 'change' issues with the conductor.
Hold your phone tightly in your hand or keep it deep inside your bag when boarding to avoid executive pickpockets.
If the traffic at Onikan Roundabout is completely locked, do not wait for a bus. Just walk straight down through the MUSON Centre lane; you will get there in 8 minutes.
Listen carefully to the conductor's voice to confirm they are actually dropping passengers at the main square and not bypassing it via the flyover.
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Safety Rating
Medium - The area is generally safe during the day because of heavy military and police presence around the Defense House and High Court. However, you must be very careful with your phones and bags at night. Pickpockets operate quickly around the crowded TBS bus terminal and under the nearby bridges when it gets dark.
BRT / Rail / Water
Yes, the main TBS Bus Terminal is a major hub for the Lagos BRT (Blue Buses). While there is no direct inner train station here, the CMS Blue Line Rail Station is just a short connection away from this axis.
Distance
1.2 km
Duration
15 mins
Total Cost
₦400 - ₦700
Status
Verified Route
How Road Be Now
Traffic is easing up as the day winds down.
Hold-up delay
+2 mins delay
* Based on regular route reports
Bypass the Ikeja Under-Bridge corridor from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Traffic builds rapidly due to commercial buses loading along the main road lanes.
Areas Affected
75% confidence based on 12 commuter reports
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Bypass the Ikeja Under-Bridge corridor from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Traffic builds rapidly due to commercial buses loading along the main road lanes.
Areas Affected
Awolowo Road
Yes, absolutely. The distance is very short (just over 1 kilometer). If you do not have heavy bags, walking is often faster than entering a commercial bus during peak traffic periods.
Due to recent fuel price hikes and intense evening rush-hour demand, drivers increase their prices because they spend more time crawling through heavy traffic gridlock around Lagos Island.
It is safe if you stay under the bright streetlights and where crowd movements are high. Avoid dark corners, do not count money openly, and make sure your bag is zipped tightly to your front.
Do not wait until you get to your final destination to ask. Remind the conductor gently but firmly about your change immediately after you pay, and keep reminding him before your final bus stop.