Lagos is the city of excellence in Nigeria and is found in the Southwestern part of the country populated by the Yoruba ethnic group.

The city has a rich pre-colonial and colonial history and has always been known to be a commercial centre due to its access to the city.

While a few of the towns and communities have Western names, the majority of them bear Yoruba names.

MyNigeria takes a look at how some of those popular areas in Lagos derived their name.


Ojota

Ojota used to be a military settlement where soldiers engaged in shooting practices. The gun firing spots located in the area then were called Oju Ota, which means bullet spots. As time went by, Oju Ota became shortened to Ojota and thus it became the name the area is known for today.

Ojota today is known for protests since the time of the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, who has a statue in his memory placed at the protest hotspot in the area. In recent times, the place witnessed the Yoruba Nation protest, EndBadGovernance protest, etc.

Magodo

The posh area was once a place where the use of mortar and pestle was prohibited, hence the name Magodo, coined from "Ma gun odo," meaning "Don't pound it." That was just one of the many taboos practised by those who settled in the area.

Magodo is right opposite the Lagos State Government secretariat alongside the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Ikeja

Ikeja, the capital of Lagos consists of 78 communities. The earliest settlers in the area and its environs were Aworis who migrated from Ota-an Awori town in Ogun State which is about 24km north of Ikeja township.

The name Ikeja is an abbreviation for Ikorodu And Epe Joint Administration. The colonial masters coined the name for ease of administration.

Foreigners arriving in Lagos land in Ikeja at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The capital also boasts of the New Afrika Shrine, Jhonson Jakande Tinubu Park, Ikeja City Mall and several top-class hotels.

Victoria Island

Victoria Island is surrounded by water and was named after Queen Victoria of England who reigned from 1837-1901. It was primarily a residential area for colonial officials and expatriates during the British colonial period. Popularly known as V.I., the area is known for its affluence and nightlife. It is a commercial hub where many multinational companies have their headquarters.

One of the fascinating places on Victoria Island is the Eko Atlantic City, which is a modern city built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean. Also, The Palms Shopping Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in Lagos, offering a wide range of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. Victoria Island also boasts of beach life.

Apongbon

Apogbon derives its name from the way the local Yoruba people referred to the then-acting governor of the Lagos colony, William McCoskry. The governor's name was difficult to pronounce by the locals, so they often referred to him as Oyinbo to pon ni agbon, meaning the Whiteman with red beards. From there, the name Apogbon was coined.

Apogbon is on Lagos Island and there you will find one of the most popular markets in the city.


Abule Egba

The early settlers who were Egba people from Abeokuta gave the area its name. The full name is Abule awon Egba, meaning the village of Egba people. It is located along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Located along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, this area derived its name from the early settlers who were Egba people from Abeokuta. The area used to be called “Abule awon egba” meaning “Village of Egba people” in Yoruba. It later became “Abule Egba”. The area has grown exponentially, evolving from a small community into a bustling urban centre. It is known for its strategic location, connecting several key areas of Lagos and serving as a vital link in the city’s transportation network.

Ebute-Metta

Ebute-Metta is a hub for trade and commerce and has been so since the colonial era. It was one of the earliest harbour docks where British ships berthed. Some colonial-style buildings can still be found in the area today. Ebute means seaside in Yoruba while Metta means three, and in English The three Harbours. In the olden days, the king, Oba Oloto of Otto, controlled these harbours and had his agents collect taxes from ships bringing goods to Lagos through them.

Some of the notable buildings in EBute-Metta include the Nigerian Railway Corporation headquarters, the post office, St. Paul's Catholic Church, the Oyingbo Market, etc.

Broad Street

Broad Street used to be one of the longest and widest streets in Lagos. Today, it is a commercial hub and one of the city's central business districts. On the sides of the street are elegant buildings and skyscrapers, giving the area a feel of Broadway in New York. The area now serves as a market for traders selling various goods, while many companies that once controlled the area have relocated to other areas.