Ikoyi

Ikoyi is the most affluent neighborhood of Lagos, located in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.[1][2] It lies to the northeast of Obalende and adjoins Lagos Island to the west, and at the edge of the Lagos Lagoon. Popular with the extreme upper class residents of Nigerian society, Ikoyi is arguably one of the wealthiest communities within Nigeria.

Ikoyi
Neighborhood
Ikoyi with Lekki in the background
Ikoyi with Lekki in the background
Ikoyi is located in Lagos
Ikoyi
Ikoyi
Location in Lagos
Coordinates: 6°27′N 3°26′E
CountryNigeria
StateLagos State
CityLagos
LGAEti-Osa
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
ClimateAw

The area that makes up Ikoyi was originally a continuous land mass with Lagos Island, until it was separated from it by the MacGregor canal, a narrow waterway that was dug by the British colonial government. This canal has now been built over or filled in, so that the island is fused with Lagos Island once again. It has been called in derogatory terms the "Beverly Hills by the slum" or the Belgravia of Lagos.

History

During the colonial era, the island was developed as a residential cantonment for the expatriate British community and still retains many of the large colonial residences built between 1900 and 1950.[3]

In the 1920s and 1930s, about 250 acres of land within South West Ikoyi and Obalende were reclaimed and redeveloped. The scheme also led to the redevelopment of a road to connect Onikan with Bourdillon Rd.[4]

Upmarket residential properties continued to be built after the colonial period, and the Island and its Dodan Barracks became the residence of some of Nigeria's military rulers. Ikoyi now contains many other government buildings as well as businesses, hotels, schools, the famous social club Ikoyi Club, and Ikoyi Golf Club.

Modern history

One of the main attractions in Ikoyi is Awolowo Road, which is a high street lined with upscale shops and boutiques. Due to its proximity to Victoria Island and Lagos Island, much of Lagos's business tourism is centred on Ikoyi, which has a mix of excellent 4-star hotels.[5][6]

Owing to recent unrest in the Niger Delta, several oil companies have moved their expatriate staff to Ikoyi. The area is now home to several large luxury apartments,[7] estates, and upscale office developments. Lagos Preparatory School (13+), regarded as Africa's most highly accredited British School, is located in Ikoyi.[8]

Green Space along Alfred Rewane road

Nov 2021 Building Collapse
Main article: 2021 Lagos high-rise collapse

On November 1, 2021, a 21-storey building on Gerrard Road collapsed during its construction, killing several workers.[9]

Economy and sites

Google Nigeria is headquartered in Ikoyi.[10]

The Lagos Jet Ski Riders Club, an elite club for the wealthiest of Nigerians is located in Ikoyi.

Ikoyi Golf Club

The Falamo garden

Government and infrastructure

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is headquartered in Ikoyi.[11]

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has its Lagos office in Ikoyi.

The Nigerian Government Presidential Secretariat is headquartered in Ikoyi.

The Deputy-Governor of Lagos State lives in Ikoyi.

All of Nigeria's Billionaires maintain property in Ikoyi.

Climate

Ikoyi is one of the regions with the highest amount of rainfall in Lagos, with rain often exceeding 300 cm every year.[12]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ikoyi.
  1. Google Maps (Map). Google.
  2. Bing Maps (Map). Microsoft and Harris Corporation Earthstar Geographics LLC.
  3. "Where to live in | Wanted in Africa". Lagos.wantedinafrica.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  4. "Nigeria year book". Nigeria Year Book.: 127. 1960. ISSN 0078-0685. OCLC 1141891.
  5. "Hotel in LAGOS - Book your hotel The Moorhouse Ikoyi Lagos - MGallery Collection". Sofitel.com. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  6. "สมัครใหม่ รับเครดิตฟรี 100 ล่าสุด – ikoyihotel.com". www.ikoyihotel.com. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  7. Archived 7 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "LPS". Lagosprepikoyi.com.ng. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  9. Busari, Stephanie; Mackintosh, Eliza; Mezzofiore, Gianluca. "Multi-story building collapses in Lagos, Nigeria". CNN. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  10. "Google locations." Google. Retrieved on 25 May 2016. "Google Nigeria 3rd Floor, Mulliner Towers 39 Kingsway Road, Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria "
  11. "Contact Is Archived 13 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine." National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Retrieved on 7 July 2016. "Address: 4, Shaw Road (Onilegbale Road)" - Full address is "4, Shaw Road (Onilegbale Road) Ikoyi, Lagos Nigeria"
  12. NREH (7 July 2015). "What you should know about Ikoyi". Nigeria Real Estate Hub. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
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