Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, is a small state in terms of area. For emphasis, Lagos has an area of just 1,171 kilometre square. Meanwhile, Ogun state, one of the states closest to Lagos, has an area of close to 17,000.
Despite its relatively low area, Lagos is the second most populated state in Nigeria. Only Kano state has more population than the southwestern state. Why? The reason is simple: Lagos is the New York of Nigeria. It is “the state” and “the city” for anyone who wants to hustle and do business.
But with this large population comes a disadvantage. Lagos qualifies as a congested state, so finding a place to stay can be difficult. For example, Lagos is synonymous with a high cost of living. Other problems of overpopulation, such as arguments and conflicts, are also common.
With all these, it’s natural to want to find the best area to stay in Lagos. An area that is safe, serene, and overall good for living. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re on the right page. Below is a list of the best areas to stay in Lagos, Nigeria:
1. Ikoyi
Located on Lagos Island, in Eti-Osa local government area, Ikoyi is the best area to stay in Lagos, Nigeria. This is evident in the fact that it’s the most affluent neighbourhood in the state. In this neighbourhood, you’ll find the homes of many Nigerian celebrities, politicians, and other popular figures.
To emphasise just how serene Ikoyi is, the area houses the headquarters of Google Nigeria. Also, there’s the Ikoyi Golf Club, Falamo Garden, and Lagos Jet Ski Riders Club. Lagos State deputy governor lives in Ikoyi as well. Other top organisations headquartered in Ikoyi include the NDLEA and World Health Organisation.
You’ll find numerous properties belonging to Nigerian billionaires — from Dangote to Adenuga to Otedola — in Ikoyi. For this reason, the area is nicknamed “Africa’s most valued treasured real estate.”
If you choose to live in Ikoyi, however, know that the cost of rent is expensive. This is not surprising, considering the echelon of people who live there. Also, the area gets up to three hundred cm of rain yearly — one of the highest in Lagos.
2. Victoria Island
Victoria Island is one of the most popular areas in Lagos. In fact, anyone who stays outside Lagos in Nigeria has probably heard about this area. As it’s popular, it’s also one of the best places to stay in Lagos.
Like Ikoyi, Victoria Island — or simply VI for short — boasts affluence. In particular, the area is alive with luxurious nightclubs and bars and vibrant nightlife. Consequently, it houses some of the most expensive hotels in Lagos.
Lagos is nicknamed the commercial or business centre of Nigeria. Similarly, Victoria Island is nicknamed the business centre of Lagos state. Top institutions like Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, IBM, and Halliburton have their headquarters in Victoria Island.
That’s not all. Victoria Island also houses the diplomatic missions of many foreign countries in Nigeria. The United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, China, and Canada, to name a few, have their consulates, embassies, or branch offices in Victoria Island.
Regarding education, Victoria Island also stands tall with schools like the British International School Lagos, Lycée Français Louis Pasteur de Lagos, and the American International School of Lagos.
3. Yaba
Yaba, at number three, is the first entry on the mainland on this list. Hence, it’s safe to say Yaba is the best area to stay in Lagos mainland. One of the main reasons Yaba is a great place to stay is the everyday lifestyle.
Notably, you’ll find Tejuosho Market in Lagos. Tejuosho is one of Lagos’s busiest markets, making Yaba a great business location. Currently, it’s a giant shopping centre after the massive reconstruction during the Lagos Megacity Project.
Opposite the Yaba market, you’ll find the psychiatric hospital, long nicknamed Yaba Left. So, already, Yaba is a popular area.
As already stated, Yaba is a great business location. To demonstrate this, the area boasts some of the top technology startups in Nigeria, such as Andela and Cc-Hub.
If you want to come to Lagos to school, Yaba is a place to consider staying. Some of Lagos’s most renowned educational institutions are located in the area. These include the University of Lagos, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and Methodist Girls High School.
4. Ikeja
Definitely, the capital is one of the best areas to stay in Lagos. Interestingly, despite being the capital, Ikeja is less populated than many other popular areas in Lagos. However, it does attract people from all corners of Lagos.
One reason is that the city houses the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. So, anyone going in and out of Lagos by air will most likely enter Ikeja. Also, Ikeja is not far from Lagos city. By extension, many top Nigerian airlines have their headquarters in Ikeja.
Ikeja also attracts people with its entertainment lifestyle. The city is where you’ll find the New Afrika Shrine, an eternal remnant of the music icon Fela Kuti, and Motherlan, founded by Lagbaja, another Nigerian music icon. You can visit these venues for body and soul-moving live music. Another popular location in Ikeja is the Ikeja City Mall. The Ikeja City Mall is the largest mall on the mainland and a place where you can get about anything.
5. Lekki Phase 1
Lekki is arguably the most popular area in Lagos, especially concerning luxurious houses. And Lekki Phase 1 is undoubtedly the number one area in Lekki.
While Ikoyi has the most celebrity residences in Lagos, Lekki Phase 1 also has its fair share of celebrities. In particular, Davido has a house in Lekki Phase 1. This isn’t all surprising considering Lekki Phase 1 is in the same Eti-Osa LGA as Ikoyi.
Away from the luxurious houses, you’ll find Lekki Phase 1 ideal to live in due to its many recreational centres. So, it’s one of the best areas to stay in Lagos if you want to have fun.
Some popular recreation centres in Lekki Phase 1 include Fun Factory for Kids, Lekki Tennis Club, Lekki Waterside, Funtopia Leisure Resort, Funturf, and Flamingo gaming.
Furthermore, Lekki Phase 1 has many luxurious estates. The area boasts private estates like the Mobolaji Johnson Estate, Prime Water View Gardens, Barolla Estate, Central Lekki Estate, Palm Garden, and Millennium.
6. Magodo
Magodo is less popular than many other areas mentioned in this list. Nevertheless, it still is one of the best places to live in Lagos. In many ways, it’s an underrated area.
Magodo is one of the areas in Lagos that’s close to Ogun State. In particular, it’s located around the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. This makes it a suitable area for anyone who commutes to Lagos and Ibadan regularly.
Currently, anyone who can afford it can live in Magodo. Before now, however, the area was exclusive to government employees. This is why it’s divided into Magodo GRA Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Like a few other areas on this list, some top Nigerian celebrities live in Magodo. A notable example is Badoo, Olamide, the owner of YBNL. Olamide not only has a house in Magodo, but he also owns a nightclub in the area.
If you choose to live in Magodo, your security is guaranteed. Most communities in the area are gated, and it’s home to some of the best estates in Lagos.
7. Banana Island
Already, Ikoyi is on this list. Banana Island is located in Ikoyi, but it’s also worth mentioning as a stand-alone area. Indeed, the island is one of the best areas to live in Lagos and has about everything.
Interestingly, it’s an artificial island whose construction began in the 1980s. The current design wasn’t how it was meant to be, but it turned out well all the same. The island sits close to Lagos lagoon, and it’s shaped like a banana, which is how it gets its name.
It’s an island that literally houses the billionaires in Nigeria. As mentioned before, Adenuga and Dangote live in Ikoyi. And they live on Banana Island in particular. Other notable residents of Banana Island include Linda Ikeji and Davido.
One reason Banana Island is as famous as it is is due to the high-end developmental projects in the area. This includes projects like Ocean Parade Towers, among others.
Furthermore, Banana Island is home to top Nigerian and international corporations. These include corporations like Etisalat, Airtel, and Ford.
8. Lekki Ajah
Here’s another best place in Lagos within the Lekki area. Ajah, also simply Aja, is a relatively large neighbourhood. It’s more or less still a developing area but already houses some of Lagos’ most affluent locations.
The most famous part of Lekki Ajah is the Ajah Market. Located off the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajah Market is one of the busiest in Lagos state.
Another standout site in the area is the Ajah Flyover. The flyover took around sixteen months to complete, and since its completion, it’s made commuting around the area easier.
Perhaps the best thing about Ajah is that there’s a place for everyone. Irrespective of your annual income and social class, you’ll find a suitable place within the area to live.
Notably, Lekki Ajah boasts some top schools in Lagos. These include Lagos Business School, Victoria Garden City, Pan-Atlantic University, and Lagos State Model College Badore.
9. Festac
At number nine, we have Festac Town, which lies on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. It’s a federal housing complex and gets its name from the abbreviation FESTAC, which stands for the Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture.
The festival, which took place there in 1977, was historic. And Festac town remains one of its legacies. Nevertheless, the town is located within Lagos’ Amuwo-Odofin local government region.
The estate boasts 5,000 modern residences and seven main avenues. And it can house up to 45,000 people. FESTAC Town has recently drawn a variety of enterprises to the estate and its surroundings.
Commercial banks and shopping centers that serve locals are multiplying in number every day. The estate also contains many hotels and hangouts, which have helped to create a thriving nightlife.
10. Eko Atlantic City
Last but not least is Eko Atlantic City — a futuristic city. It’s a planned metropolis being built in Lagos State on land that was once part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Thus, the city is bordered to the north by the Phase 1 neighborhood of Lekki and to the west, east, and south by the Lagos city district of Victoria Island. With ten districts scattered across a land area of roughly 10 square kilometers, Eko Atlantic is predicted to become the next generation of real estate on the African continent.
Subsequently, the city will meet the business, residential, and tourist accommodations needs. At least 250,000 people are expected to live on the new peninsula once it is finished, along with 150,000 commuters daily. The construction is also intended to aid in halting coastal erosion in Lagos.
A few structures, most notably Eko Pearl Towers, are already standing. Several more are either under construction or in the planning stages. But the city is already alive. Popular afro concerts and sporting events like the Lagos City Marathon and Copa Lagos are now regularly held in the city.