Ikeja Local Government, Lagos, Nigeria.

Ikeja is the capital of Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria. Its population, as of the 2006 census, is 313,196. Prior to the emergence of military rule in the early 1980s, Ikeja was a well-planned, clean and quiet residential and commercial town with shopping malls, pharmacies and government reservation areas. It lies 10.5 miles (17 km) northwest of Lagos city.  The Murtala Muhammed International Airport is located in Ikeja. Ikeja is also home to Femi Kuti’s Africa Shrine and Lagbaja’s Motherland, both venues for live music. Its Ikeja City Mall is the largest mallon the Lagos State mainland. Ikeja also has its own radio station, broadcasting both in English (Eko FM) and in Yoruba (Radio Lagos).

History of Ikeja.

Ikeja, which was formally called “Akeja” was named after a deity of the Awori people of Ota. It was originally settled by the Awori people, and the area was raided for slaves until the mid-19th century. Early in the 20th century it became an agricultural hinterland for Lagos. The opening of the Lagos-Ibadan railway in 1901 and the growth of Lagos as a port transformed Ikeja into a residential and industrial suburb of that city. In the mid-1960s an industrial estate was established, and in 1976 Ikeja became the capital of Lagos state.

Government and infrastructure

The local government administrative headquarters of Ikeja is located within the Ikeja Local Government premises. As of June 2019, the Chairman (Mayor) of Ikeja’s local government is Engr. Mojeed Balogun.

Economy

Several airlines have their head offices located in Ikeja. Arik Air’s head office is in the Arik Air Aviation Centre on the grounds of Murtala Muhammed Airport. Aero Contractors has its head office on the grounds of Murtala Muhammed Airport. Other airlines with Ikeja head offices include Overland Airways, Air Peace, Associated Aviation, and Dana Air. In addition, Virgin Atlantic has its Nigerian office in “The Place” in Ikeja.

Tourist centres

  • Isheri/River Ogun – Cradle of Awori and Lagos indigenous population
  • Lagos State Government Secretariat Ikeja House, Alausa, Ikeja
  • Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, [Parliament Building] Alausa, Ikeja
  • Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau, PSSDC Road, Magodo, Kosofe
  • Lagos Television and Radio Lagos/Eko F.M, Agidingbi Ikeja
  • LASU Ethnography Museum, Oba Ogunji Road, Ogba, Agege
  • Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja [Hub of aviation in West Africa]
  • Statue of Lagos Idejo Chiefs – megacity’s traditionaIsheri/River Ogun – Cradle of Awori and Lagos indigenous population
  • Lagos State Government Secretariat Ikeja House, Alausa, Ikeja
  • Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, [Parliament Building] Alausa, Ikeja
  • Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau, PSSDC Road, Magodo, Kosofe
  • Lagos Television and Radio Lagos/Eko F.M, Agidingbi Ikeja
  • LASU Ethnography Museum, Oba Ogunji Road, Ogba, Agege
  • Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja [Hub of aviation in West Africa]

Ikeja is home to a large computer market, popularly known as Otigba. Begun in 1997 as a small market of only 10 shops, the current market now has well over 3000. While most vendors provide the expected computer sales and repair services, it is also possible to find sales and repair services for various types of office equipment and electronic devices.