Is Apo a good place to stay in Abuja? What to expect before you book
The short answer
Yes, if you want a lower nightly price than the city centre and can live with a 15 to 25 minute drive into the Central Business District. Apo is a big district, so the real answer depends on the street. This guide covers where Apo sits, the drives, the honest downsides and what a night costs on Martin Ejembi Crescent.
Where Apo is, and where we sit in it
Apo is in the south of Abuja, below Garki and the Asokoro and Guzape hills, with Gudu, Durumi and Lokogoma next door. Prestine is on Martin Ejembi Crescent, beside the Murtala Mohammed Expressway and across from Novare Apo Mall. That expressway is the road you take north into Garki and the Central Business District.
You will see our address written as Apo-Dutse, and you will see the same street marked as Apo Resettlement on Google Maps. Both point to the same building, opposite Queens specialist hospital. Search for the street name and you will find us.
Drive times from Martin Ejembi Crescent
| To | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Central Business District | About 14 km | 15 to 25 minutes off-peak |
| Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport | About 41 km | Allow an hour |
Distances and times from Google Maps. The morning rush adds to both.
The honest part: traffic and light
You may have read that people avoid Apo Resettlement for traffic and light. Some of that is fair. The Apo roundabout, the roads around Mechanic Village and the market roads slow down at peak times and on Saturdays. So plan your drive for before the morning rush, or after it.
Light is the other worry. The public grid in parts of Apo went off for days in May 2026, once for planned works and once after a transformer fault at the Apo substation. That is why the electricity line on an apartment listing matters more than the photos. Every Prestine apartment lists 24-hour electricity.
What is close by
Novare Apo Mall is across the expressway, a short walk from the building. For anything further, the Murtala Mohammed Expressway at the end of the street takes you north to Garki and the Central Business District.
A new road opened this year. The main carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway, from Ring Road I at Gudu to Kabusa, opened on 9 June 2026 and links Apo to Wasa.
Getting here from the airport
The drive from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is about 41 km, so allow an hour, and more if you land at rush hour. Uber shut down in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, so do not plan on it. Bolt is cleared to work at the airport again, and the official airport taxi fares are shown through FAAN's ACHRAMS system. Agree your ride before you land and send us your flight time.
What a night costs in Apo
| Apartment | Per night |
|---|---|
| Studio Deluxe | ₦75,000 |
| Premium Luxury One-Bedroom | ₦120,000 |
| Deluxe Royal One-Bedroom | ₦150,000 |
| Four Bedroom Premier | ₦279,650 promo |
Prices include VAT and service charge. The Four Bedroom Premier is normally ₦329,000 a night.
Every apartment lists air conditioning, WiFi, secure parking, 24-hour security, housekeeping support, fresh linen and towels, and 24-hour electricity. Each one has a fully equipped kitchen, so a longer stay does not mean eating out every night.
What guests said about the area
"A really nice, quiet and safe area."Google review, 2026
Questions people ask
Where is Apo in Abuja?
South of the city centre, below Garki, next to Gudu, Durumi and Lokogoma. Prestine is on Martin Ejembi Crescent, off the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.
How far is Apo from the Central Business District?
About 14 km. Off-peak the drive takes 15 to 25 minutes. The morning rush takes longer.
How far is Apo from the airport?
About 41 km by road. Allow an hour, and more if you land at rush hour.
What is near Prestine in Apo?
Novare Apo Mall is across the expressway, a short walk away. The expressway at the end of the street runs to Garki and the Central Business District.
Book or ask a question
Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will tell you what is free. Staying near the airport instead? Read our guide to staying in Lugbe.
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