Oba of Lagos Palace — Attraction in Lagos State

The Oba of Lagos’s Palace is also known as Iga Idunganran. Since the 15th century, it has been the official residence of the Oba of Lagos. It was originally owned by Lagos Island’s first inhabitant, Chief Aromire, who hailed from Ile-Ife and initially used the land on which the palace now stands as a fishing post and pepper farm.

The origin of the land on which it is built informs its name. Iga, in the ancient Oyo/Ife Yoruba language, means royal home; Idun means land; while Igaran, means pepper. Hence, Iga Iduganran translates to mean the palace built on a pepper farm. The palace itself was built in 1670 for Oba Gabaro, the third Oba of Lagos by the Portuguese who brought in the building materials from their homeland. The palace was further rebuilt and commissioned on October 1, 1960 by the then Prime Minister of Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa. The palace underwent further modernization by the trio of Obas: Oba Adeniji Adele II, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II and Oba Akiolu.

At his coronation in 2003, Oba Akiolu disclosed that the palace had 34 entrances. Outside the palace, there are three cannons from the Royal Navy ship Prometheus, which was docked off the Lagos coastline in 1861, when the British forced Oba Dosunmu to sign the Treaty of Cession. All the Obas of Lagos since Oba Akitoye, who died in 1853, have been buried at the Iga Iduganran...

Oba of Lagos palace is a traditional stool formerly under the British authorities. It was founded by Oba of Benin after attempt to push back riverine people and fishermen from Egun tribe of Dahomey and Ijaw and patches of Yoruba to establish a link to the waters for export-import trade. Till today Yoruba remain royal to the Oba of Lagos unlike other tribes that are royal to their respective traditional stools. Oba of Lagos remain largely fascist and uses force to regain administrative control of Lagos lost during the British rule. Incidenly British governor handed over to the Igbo tribe at independence. That attamot to control Lagos both administratively and culturally often bread inter-tribal conflict between the yoruba and igbo during general elections in Nigeria leading to voter suppression intimidation and killings. Cultural events are often designed to intimidate non yoruba - though a few are landmark events in Lagos. Market levies and government subventions help to sustain the financial resources of the Native stool. Palace design is connunual...

Oba of Lagos palace is one of historical place in Nigeria. It's located close to enuowa market in idomota. It's by the left hand side when coming from Adeniji to Police post and also by the left hand side when you enter the entrance gate to enuowa market. It's has a nice view with many offices and trained staffs. There is wheelchair accessibility for disabled but have not enough car park as well as wheelchair. Eyo festival host here in any agreed and approve by Oba and those in charge at any agreed period. It's a nice and lovely place to visit to hear some history of Lagos and see how culture are been...