Ikoyi Lagos, is one of Nigeria’s more affluent and historically wealthy areas, known for elite living and luxe properties. Its interesting history dates back to the colonial period, when it evolved from a British administrative outpost into a slick centre of luxury, trade, and diplomacy.

Following a Colonial Past, Ikoyi Lagos

Pre-Colonial: Ikoyi was part of the Yoruba Kingdoms before British colonial rule. The land was a largely peaceful, marshy stretch surrounded by the Lagos Lagoon. It was not until the period of colonization that Ikoyi became populated, as the original settlers of the land, like the Aworis and other Yoruba sub-ethnic groups, had dwellings around it. 

British Colonialism: Ikoyi emerged as a crucial area under British colonial control during the late 19th century. The British saw Lagos as a prominent trading and administrative centre and needed a secure, exclusive residential area for colonial officers, British expatriates, and government high-ranking officials.

To achieve this, the British reclaimed lands and built road networks that opened up Ikoyi, developed expansive colonial-style residences and administrative structures, and separated Ikoyi from the bustling Lagos Island by making it a European-only residential area. It became a serene area with wide roads and upscale buildings, establishing it as the most exclusive location in colonial Lagos.