Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area was carved out of the old Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Residents
The council area has an estimated population of about three hundred and forty two thousand (342,000) inhabitants. This number is made up of predominantly Yorubas. Ibo’s and Hausas have relatively large numbers followed by other ethnic tribes and nationalities.
Land Area
The territorial extent of the council’s area is 28 square kilometres. This represents 0.782 percent of the 3,577 square kilometre area of Lagos state.
Location
The council area is part of what was originally known as Lagos Island situated at the ocean outlet of the Lagos lagoon on the narrow coastal lowland of the South Eastern part of Lagos Nigeria. When the Macgregor canal was created in the early 20th century, it effectively separated Ikoyi and Obalende from Lagos Island creating a new island known as ‘Ikoyi Island’ which shares a boundary with Lagos Island to the west, Ikorodu to the north, Apapa LCDA to the south and Iru/Victoria Island LCDA to the east.
Roads
Ikoyi-Obalende is located very strategically with high capacity roads and bridges linking it with Victoria Island, Lagos Island and other parts of the metropolis. Over the years, roads have been built with intra-city connections and bye-passes, providing easy access to all parts of the council area.
Economic Activities
Historically the general Ikoyi-Obalende area was characterised by numerous creeks, swamps, and even the lagoon hence, the early inhabitants engaged mostly in fishing followed closely by hunting. Crafts and farming, especially of spices, fruits and vegetables were also activities that were carried out for economic benefit.
Over the years, rapid urbanisation has caused changes to the landscape of the Ikoyi-Obalende area and the inhabitants of the area have taken to modern economic activities such as banking, oil and gas, telecommunications and housing. We still see light fishing activities still being carried out in the Falomo and Ijeh areas of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA.
Industry
We all know that Lagos as a state is the financial hub of the nation. Ikoyi-Obalende benefits from a wide range of industries set up within the area. Businesses that range from Real Estate development, to Telecommunications to Chemical companies, Internet service providers and banks all have at least an office if not their head offices located within Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA. For example, the country head office of MTN and 9 mobile are both situated in the Falomo and Banana Island areas respectively, which are within the LCDA.
Tourism
The council is located in an area that is blessed with both natural and man-made attractions from the resplendent architectural masterpieces that have been constructed in various locations and new ones springing up on a daily basis, to the water views that run through places like Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive). There are world-class hotels and lovely places for relaxation. Dodan Barracks on Ribadu road in the Southwest area of Ikoyi, the former state house of Nigeria from 1966-1991, is an area of great interest and national pride located within the LCDA.
Religion
In spite of the observance of various traditional festivals and the performance of traditional rituals, the major religions are Christianity and Islam with the largest number of followers.
Education
Located in the Ikoyi-Obalende area are various public and private schools. There are Eleven (11) Primary Schools, Ten (10) Junior Secondary Schools and Ten (10) Senior Secondary Schools.
- Army Primary School
- Dodan Barracks Primary School
- Hope Primary School
- Ikoyi Girls Primary School
- Ikoyi Primary School (confirm that this is an all boys school)
- Ireti Girls Primary School
- Ireti Primary School (confirm that this is an all boys school)
- Jinadu Primary School
- Obalende Primary School
- Georges Boys Primary School
- Georges Girls Primary School
Note: **This is not an exhaustive list of schools in Ikoyi-Obalende.
Health
There are two (2) primary health centres in the LCDA