In 1976, the seat of state government moved from Lagos city to the nearby neighborhood of Ikeja. The federal government chose Abuja as the new capital in December 1991, after Lagos became too congested and crowded to function effectively as the country's primary city. The three islands that make up central Lagos are so densely populated that most of the city's industry has moved to the outskirts, to the estates of Apapa, Ijora, and Yaba, while Ikeja and Mushin have become the new economic and cultural epicenters of the city. Badagry, Epe, and Ikorodu are lagoon ports where these goods are gathered before being transported to Lagos city markets. Cassava (manioc), palm oil and kernels, coconuts, corn (maize), vegetables, fruits, fish, and fish products are just some of the agricultural and fisheries products produced in Lagos state. While this arrangement limited Lagos's growth towards the mainland, the 1967 establishment of Lagos State by the Nigerian federal government restored the city's control over its rural environs.Īs more people from other parts of Nigeria and West Africa have moved to the state's capital of Lagos, the previously predominantly Yoruba population has become increasingly diverse. The constitution of 1954 established the Federal Territory of Lagos (the 27 square mile section of Lagos Island, including the city of Lagos), while the surrounding countryside was moved to the Western Nigeria administrative region. As part of the British colony of Nigeria from 1914 to 1954, the territory that is now part of the state was under British administration. State of Ogun to the north and east, the Bight of Benin to the south, and the Republic of Benin to the west form its northern and eastern, southern, and western borders, respectively. Till date, many Obas in Lagos state still derive their crowning authority from Isale Eko, the seat of traditional institution in the state.Lagos is a state located in southwestern Nigeria on the coast of the Bight of Benin. Oba Adeniji Adele said the action of western region government had no historical basis….Īfter many years of agitation and intellectual argument led by notable indigenes of the state, likes of Taslim Elias from the Island, TOS Benson and Adeniran Ogunsanya from Ikorodu to mention a few, the birth of Lagos with its colony came as an independent state in 1967 with the then Oba of Lagos, late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan made the unquestionable paramount head of traditional institution in Lagos state. This did not go down well with Oba Adele, who felt this was politically motivated by late sage, Obafemi Awolowo who was the head of western region government to reduce the power and political influence of Oba of Lagos and the elites. In 1954, Lagos was taken out of western region, leaving its colony. The then Oba of Lagos, Oba Adeniji Adele was not comfortable with this, so he pushed for the independence of Lagos and its colony through series of letters written to the head of British government in Nigeria. Not until 1951 when Lagos and its colony was merged with the western region. įor many years, Lagos and its colony was not part of Nigeria. While all the descendants of Olofin are still in control of Lands in the state.įor many years, during the reigns of Oba Akinsemoyin, Oba Ologunkutere, Oba Adele Ajosin and Oba Eshinlokun,Badagry was ruled from Isale Eko. This authority was passed on from Oba Ado,the first crowned Oba of Lagos to all his descendants that have reigned as Oba to the present occupier of the stool, Oba Akiolu. Olofin was conquered by then Oba of Benin but a truce was reached by both parties which is for Oba of Benin to rule over Lagos through his representative but Olofin and his children will still be in charge of lands in Lagos and the hinterlands. This influence of Oba of Lagos is dated to the period of Olofin, the founder of Lagos, an Awori man who was said to have come from Ife. Oba of Lagos was not given headship by the british as muted in some quarters Rather the British colonial government reduced the power and influence of Oba of Lagos in all these places. The headship is based on well documented age long history of a structured traditional institution. Oba of Lagos is not a political paramount traditional ruler in Lagos state. The colony of Lagos stretched to the east of Epe, west of Badagry, and the north of Isheri and Ikorodu.
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