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Ikeja

For the Swedish retail company, see IKEA.

Ikeja is the capital city of Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria.[2] Its population, as of the 2006 census, is 313,196. Prior to the emergence of military rule in the early 1980s,[3] 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.[4] The Murtala Muhammed International Airport is located in the city. Ikeja is also home to Femi Kuti's Africa Shrine and Lagbaja's Motherland, both venues for live music.[5] Its Ikeja City Mall is the largest shopping mall on the Lagos State mainland. Ikeja also has its own radio station, broadcasting both in English (Eko FM) and in Yoruba (Radio Lagos).[6]

Ikeja
Municipality
Ikeja Local Government Area
Ikeja shown within the State of Lagos
Ikeja shown within the State of Lagos
Ikeja is located in Nigeria
Ikeja
Ikeja
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°36′N 3°21′E / 6.60°N 3.35°E / 6.60; 3.35
Country Nigeria
StateLagos State
LGA(s)Ikeja
Area
 • Total49.92 km2 (19.27 sq mi)
 • Land49.92 km2 (19.27 sq mi)
Elevation
39 m (128 ft)
Population
 (2022 estimate)[1]
 • Total470,200
 • Density9,400/km2 (24,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
ClimateAw
Map

History

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Ikeja, which was formally called "Akeja", was named after a deity of the Awori people of Ota.[7] It was originally settled by the Awori people, and the area was raided for slaves until the mid-19th century.[8] 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.[9] In the mid-1960s an industrial estate was established, and in 1976 Ikeja became the capital of Lagos state.[10] Johnson Solanke Tomori was an important in the history of Ikeja. He contributed to all the socio-cultural aspects of Ikeja, Agidingbi, Oregun, Alausa, Ojodu, and all the suburbs of Ikeja. His contributions date back to 1965, when he brought a higher level of social consciousness to Ikeja.

Government and Infrastructure

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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.[11]

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has its headquarters in Ikeja on the grounds of Murtala Muhammad Airport.[12] The Accident Investigation Bureau of the Nigerian government has its headquarter in Ikeja.[13] The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has its head office in Aviation House on the grounds of the airport;[14] this was formerly just the Lagos office.[15]

Economy

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Airlines

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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.[16] Aero Contractors has its head office on the grounds of Murtala Muhammed Airport.[17][18] Other airlines with Ikeja head offices include Overland Airways,[19] Air Peace,[20] Associated Aviation,[21] and Dana Air.[22] In addition, Virgin Atlantic has its Nigerian office in "The Place" in Ikeja.[23]

At one point, Nigeria Airways had its head office in Airways House.[24][25][26] Before it was dissolved, Afrijet Airlines had its head office in the NAHCO Building on the grounds of the airport.[27] Bellview Airlines had its headquarters in the Bellview Plaza.[28] Other now-defunct airlines with head offices in Ikeja include Air Nigeria (formerly Nigerian Eagle and Virgin Nigeria Airways), on the 9th Floor of Etiebets Place,[29] Sosoliso Airlines,[30] and ADC Airlines.[31]

Television studios

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Ikeja is home to Nigeria's most important television studios, such as Channels TV and African Independent TV, as well as associated advertising agencies.

Computer Village

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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.[32]

By 2019, the little shops at Computer Village had grown to multiple-storey shopping malls. Many of the single-floor buildings have been developed into larger buildings, housing several shops that distribute and repair mobile phones, laptops, printers and other electronic devices. Nearly all the major Nigerian banks have branches around the market.[citation needed]

As the market is unplanned, it has experienced difficulties in its growth, with some local residents expressing frustration at the market's expansion. Traffic around the area has become very congested, and it can be almost impossible to find a place to park. Furthermore, the electrical infrastructure, which was already unreliable, has become overloaded by the new market, which requires significant amounts of electricity to demonstrate working computer products to potential customers.[33]

Brewery

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"Malt-based soft drink" from Ikeja

The Guinness brewery produces its famous beer in Ikeja. Apparently, the average Nigerian drinks larger quantities of this beverage than the average Irishman.[34] The brewery also produces non-alcoholic and halal malt beer, which is part of the "Lagos' way of life".[35]

Pharmaceutical industry

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60% of West Africa's pharmaceutical production takes place in Nigeria.[36] The majority of Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers have their main production site in Ikeja. This includes May & Baker, one of the three largest manufacturers of medicines.

Diverse

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A slum in Ikeja was selected by C. J. Obasi as a production location for the 2014 Nollywood thriller, Ojuju.[37]

Ikeja also has a main market area called Oba Momodu Illo (Obada) market in Ipodo. This market contains many shops and makeshift stalls where merchants display and sell produce, meat, fish, grains, and other groceries.[38]

Tourism

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Museums

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Kalakuta Museum

The Kalakuta Museum commemorates the late musician Fela Kuti, who probably had a formative role in Nigeria's music world comparable to that of Bob Marley in Jamaica. The building was the musician's second home in Lagos after soldiers burnt down his first home in Surulere in February 1977, raped female family members and injured Kuti's mother, a respected trade union leader, so badly that she died as a result. Kuti built a new house in Ikeja, but it fell into disrepair after his death and had to be renovated as a museum in 2012. Kuti's grave is located next to the museum. Inside the museum, the walls are covered with historical photos, posters, paintings, murals, record covers and newspaper cuttings. Some of Fela's musical instruments are on display, including his colourfully painted, distinctive tenor saxophone. Fela's shoes and shirts are on display in rows, as are stage suits and the fur coat he wore on tour in Europe and the USA. There is a rooftop café, and visitors can stay overnight in one of several air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms.[39]

Parks and squares

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Jhalobia Recreation Park

Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens is owned by a certain Mrs Veronica Adepoju and her two daughters - three trained landscape designers who display everything their art has to offer on just under one hectare.[40] The place is very photogenic and is therefore regularly booked for weddings and other festivities. In between such events, Jhalobia is praised as an island of tranquillity in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Lagos.[41]

Music pub

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New Afrika Shrine

Contrary to what the name suggests, the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja is not a shrine,[42] but a music bar run by the descendants of Fela Kuti. It unfolds its special charm when live music is playing; it is also the only place in Lagos where you can legally smoke a joint.[43] The Afrika Shrine was Fela's second home until a few weeks before his death in 1997, after which it fell into disrepair. The New Afrika Shrine, opened in 2000, was built by his family under the direction of his eldest daughter Yeni and eldest son Femi. Their main concern was to honour and preserve the contribution Fela and the Shrine have made to the local community and the overall development of post-colonial Africa. Most events at the New Afrika Shrine are free of charge. Femi performs with his band The Positive Force every Thursday and Sunday when he is not on tour. His younger brother Seun performs with Egypt 80 every last Saturday of the month. The new club is four times the size of the original Shrine and seats two and a half thousand people. Overheads are covered by the sale of food, drinks and merchandise. Admission is usually 500 naira, half a US dollar. The club has a small library, pool tables and chill-out areas and organises educational and outreach activities.[42]

Climate

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It has a tropical monsoon climate. The majority of the year's months get heavy rainfall. The brief dry season has very little impact on the climate as a whole. The Köppen-Geiger scale rates this area's climate as Am. Ikeja's typical temperature is 26.4 °C (79.5 °F). About 1645 mm (64.8 inches) of precipitation falls here each year.

The summers in Ikeja are ill-defined because of the city's proximity to the equator. Visitation is most often in January, July, August, September, October, November, and December.[44][45][46]

Climate data for Ikeja (Murtala Muhammed International Airport) (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.7
(98.1) 		38.9
(102.0) 		38
(100) 		36.2
(97.2) 		35.8
(96.4) 		34
(93) 		33.1
(91.6) 		32.3
(90.1) 		37.7
(99.9) 		39
(102) 		35.5
(95.9) 		36.8
(98.2) 		39.0
(102.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 33.2
(91.8) 		34.0
(93.2) 		33.7
(92.7) 		33.0
(91.4) 		31.9
(89.4) 		30.1
(86.2) 		28.8
(83.8) 		28.7
(83.7) 		29.3
(84.7) 		30.6
(87.1) 		32.3
(90.1) 		33.2
(91.8) 		31.6
(88.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 28.3
(82.9) 		29.4
(84.9) 		29.5
(85.1) 		29.0
(84.2) 		28.1
(82.6) 		26.8
(80.2) 		26.0
(78.8) 		25.9
(78.6) 		26.3
(79.3) 		27.0
(80.6) 		28.1
(82.6) 		28.3
(82.9) 		27.7
(81.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.5
(74.3) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.3
(77.5) 		25.0
(77.0) 		24.4
(75.9) 		22.8
(73.0) 		22.7
(72.9) 		22.6
(72.7) 		22.5
(72.5) 		22.5
(72.5) 		22.2
(72.0) 		23.4
(74.1) 		23.5
(74.3)
Record low °C (°F) 16
(61) 		19.2
(66.6) 		20
(68) 		19
(66) 		13.7
(56.7) 		20
(68) 		18
(64) 		19.9
(67.8) 		19.3
(66.7) 		19.3
(66.7) 		11
(52) 		— 11
(52)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 23.7
(0.93) 		43.6
(1.72) 		71.4
(2.81) 		141.6
(5.57) 		205.3
(8.08) 		291.0
(11.46) 		195.1
(7.68) 		72.4
(2.85) 		205.8
(8.10) 		183.1
(7.21) 		93.8
(3.69) 		22.6
(0.89) 		1,549.3
(61.00)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 1.3 2.5 5.1 7.4 10.6 15.1 11.3 7.3 12.8 11.5 5.7 1.7 92.3
Average relative humidity (%) 77.7 81.3 84.2 86.0 86.7 88.2 88.5 88.0 89.0 88.2 84.3 78.8 85.1
Source: NOAA[47]

Temperature

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With an average daily high temperature above 90°F, the hot season lasts for 4.4 months, from December 12 to April 25. Ikeja experiences its warmest month of the year in March, with an average high of 91°F and low of 78°F.

With an average daily maximum temperature below 84°F, the chilly season lasts 3.2 months, from June 23 to September 30. In Ikeja, August is the coldest month of the year, with an average low of 74°F and high of 82°F.[45]

Cloudy

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In Ikeja, there is a substantial seasonal change in the average proportion of the sky that is covered with clouds throughout the year.

In Ikeja, the clearer season starts around November 8 and lasts for 3.2 months, finishing around February 13.

The sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly overcast 51% of the time on average in December, the clearest month of the year in Ikeja.

Around February 13 the year's cloudier period starts, lasting for 8.8 months, and ends around November 8.

In Ikeja, April is the month with the most clouds, with the sky being overcast or mostly cloudy 87% of the time.[45]

Pollution

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Premium Times’ Oladeinde Olawoyin, who investigated the matter, reports the dangers that residents face due to the exposure and continuous use of polluted water. Residents of St. Finbarr’s College road in Akoka have been exposed to hazards arising from water pollution caused by a fuel leakage in the community.[48]

Communities

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Districts in the city include:

  • Anifowose;
  • Oregun;
  • Ojodu;
  • Opebi;
  • Akiode;
  • Alausa;
  • Agidingbi;
  • Ogba;
  • Magodo;
  • Maryland;
  • Onigbongbo;
  • Government Reserved Area (GRA) Ikeja.

Tourist centres

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edit
  •  
    Independence tunnel, Maryland
  •  
    Independence Tunnel, Maryland
  •  
    Maryland Express
  •  
    Maryland Lane
  •  
    Maryland mall
  •  
    Maryland tunnel view
  •  
    Maryland Unity Statues
  •  
    Simbiat Abiola way, Ikeja
  •  
    Ogun river
  •  
    Kanu Ndubuisi Park
  •  
    Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park
  •  
    Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ikeja (Local Government Area, Nigeria) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Ikeja | Location, Facts, & Population | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Nigeria - Military Regimes, 1983-99 | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Ikeja | Location, Facts, & Population". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Ikeja HHH | Ikeja Hash | Ikeja Hash House Harriers | Lagos Hash". IKEJA HASH HOUSE HARRIERS. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Ikeja HHH | Ikeja Hash | Ikeja Hash House Harriers | Lagos Hash". IKEJA HASH HOUSE HARRIERS. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  7. ^ Peters, Ifeoma (8 June 2017). "The origin of the word "Ikeja"". DNL legal & style blog. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Ikeja City Towns in Lagos Nigeria Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Ikeja City Towns in Lagos Nigeria Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Ikeja". Encyclopædia Britannica. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Full list of Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen elected in Saturday's LG poll in Lagos State". The Eagle Online.
  12. ^ "Contact Information Archived 26 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Retrieved on 8 September 2010.
  13. ^ "Contact Us Archived 9 June 2009 at archive.today." Accident Investigation Bureau. Retrieved on 9 June 2009.
  14. ^ "Contact". Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 21 June 2020. Visit our office AVIATION HOUSE P.M.B. 21029, 21038 Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
  15. ^ "Contact Us Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine." Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 9 September 2010.
  16. ^ "New aircraft to make arik air the largest commercial carrier in nigeria arik air reflects on six months of flying “the new experience” Archived 15 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Arik Air. 28 March 2007. Retrieved on 8 September 2010. "For more information, please contact: Gbemiga Ogunieye, Head of Communications, Arik Air Ltd, Arik Air Aviation Centre, Murtula Muhammed Domestic Airport, PO Box 10468, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria."
  17. ^ "Privacy Policy Archived 11 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Aero Contractors. Retrieved on 8 September 2010. "Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited, (Private Terminal), Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria."
  18. ^ "Offices & Phone Numbers Archived 9 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Aero Contractors. Retrieved on 8 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Ticket Outlets Archived 15 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Overland Airways. Retrieved on 27 November 2010. "Lagos (Head Office) Travel Centre Shop 17, Simbiat Abiola Road Off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way Ikeja."
  20. ^ "About Us". Air Peace. Retrieved 20 March 2021. Head Office: 25, Sobo Arobiodu Street GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
  21. ^ "Contact Us Archived 25 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Associated Aviation. Retrieved on 3 December 2010. "Associated Aviation’s headquarters is located at: 56 MKO Abiola Crescent off Toyin Street. Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria."
  22. ^ "Contact us Archived 13 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine." Dana Air. Retrieved on 27 November 2010. "(Administrative Office) 51, Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria."
  23. ^ "Nigeria Office." Virgin Atlantic. Retrieved on 14 December 2009.
  24. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. 29 March 1986. 108. "Head Office: PO Box 136, Airways House, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria."
  25. ^ "World Airline Directory – Nigeria Airways" (pdf). Flight International: 114. 14 March 1990 – 7 April 2003. Retrieved 17 June 2011. PO Box 136 Airways House, Ikeja Lagos Nigeria 22646
  26. ^ Ketefe, Kayode. "Firm acquires Airways HQ for N950m[permanent dead link]." The Punch. Wednesday 1 February 2006. Retrieved on 20 September 2009.
  27. ^ "Directory:World airlines." Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. 53.
  28. ^ "Contacts." Bellview Airlines. 21 April 2008. Retrieved on 27 November 2010. "CORPORATE HEAD OFFICE Bellview Plaza 66b, Opebi Road, Ikeja P.M.B 21766, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria"
  29. ^ "AN Registered Offices Archived 9 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Air Nigeria. Retrieved on 28 June 2010.
  30. ^ "Contact us." Sosoliso Airlines. 3 December 2003. Retrieved on 3 October 2009.
  31. ^ World Airline Directory. Flight International. 3–9 April 1996. - 0772.html 36. Retrieved on 3 October 2009.
  32. ^ "Computer Village: what you probably didn't know about Africa's biggest gadget market". Pulse Nigeria.
  33. ^ Focus on the Ikeja Computer Village, Lagos Archived 20 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, NigeriaBusinessInfo.com, 2 September 2002. Retrieved 11 April 2008
  34. ^ "Which African Nation Consumes more Guinness than Ireland? - livingireland.com". livingireland.com. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  35. ^ Humphery (7 January 2024). "Most Popular Malt Brands and Their Manufacturers in Nigeria". Nyscinfo. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  36. ^ Egwuatu, Peter (4 April 2023). "Nigeria dominates 60% of pharmaceutical production in ECOWAS". Vanguard.
  37. ^ "Audition for thriller movie | Nolly". Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  38. ^ "Shops". Ferry Building Marketplace. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  39. ^ "Kalakuta Museum". Fela Kuti. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Home - Jhalobia Botanical Garden and Recreation Park". Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  41. ^ "Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens, Lagos - Parks in Ikeja". www.cometonigeria.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  42. ^ a b "The New Afrika Shrine". Fela Kuti. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  43. ^ Sesan (17 February 2020). "Fela's spirit gaining more converts at New Afrika Shrine". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Ikeja climate: Temperature Ikeja & Weather By Month - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  45. ^ a b c "Ikeja Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  46. ^ "Ikeja, Lagos, NG Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data". tcktcktck.org. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  47. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Ikeja". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  48. ^ www.premiumtimesng.com https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/267025-special-report-oily-water-how-residents-of-lagos-community-battle-polluted-environment.html?tztc=1. Retrieved 29 September 2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  49. ^ "About Lagos". Lagos State Government. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
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