On an optimistic note, many Lagos residents, particularly those involved in government, often compare Lagos to renowned smart cities like Zurich, Oslo, and Singapore, suggesting it belongs in the same league of urban innovation and technological advancement.
Yet, the everyday Lagosian, especially those living in informal settlements such as Makoko, Ajegunle, Ilaje, and Amukoko, would likely challenge this perception, viewing Lagos as a city where daily survival remains a daunting challenge for a significant portion of its population.
The gleaming mansions of Ikoyi, the luxurious estates on Banana Island, the towering skyscrapers of Eko Atlantic, and emerging island developments like Gracefield and Orange Island project an image of a city that has reached a new level of urban sophistication.
Despite these impressive developments, critical issues persist. There is an urgent need for comprehensive urban renewal and strategies to alleviate the intense congestion in the city’s core by developing the surrounding hinterlands.
What is currently unfolding in various parts of Lagos, often driven by individual efforts, is more accurately described as gentrification rather than true urban regeneration-a process that Lagos desperately requires. The primary focus for such regeneration should be Ajegunle, arguably the city’s most densely populated slum area, which houses a growing segment of Lagos’s residents.
To effectively address this, Lagos authorities would benefit from studying successful urban renewal models like the transformation of Paddington in Central London. Paddington shares several parallels with Ajegunle, making it a valuable case study.
“Historically, Paddington gained prominence as a transport nexus, famously marking Queen Victoria’s inaugural train journey in 1842, and later solidifying its status with the introduction of the Heathrow Express in 1998,” explains Ugo Arinzeh, lead of the Onyx Property Team.
Arinzeh, a Nigerian real estate expert based in London, points out that despite Paddington’s prime location in Zone 1, its property values have traditionally lagged behind neighboring areas like Marylebone and Notting Hill. However, this trend is rapidly shifting as new lifestyle and commercial infrastructures emerge.
Currently, Paddington is undergoing one of central London’s most ambitious regeneration projects, with investments exceeding £825 million. This initiative is not merely cosmetic but represents a comprehensive overhaul, transforming the area into a dynamic hub for living, business, and culture.
So far, the regeneration has delivered over two million square feet of commercial space alongside more than 1,300 new residential units, signaling a profound urban metamorphosis.
This example offers a powerful lesson for Lagos, particularly for Ajegunle. Much like Paddington, Ajegunle is rich in history and centrally located within Lagos. It embodies the resilient spirit of the city, often prompting the question, reminiscent of the biblical phrase, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Despite its strategic position near Nigeria’s busiest seaports-Tin Can and Apapa-Ajegunle’s property market remains undervalued compared to its neighbor Apapa, largely due to poor urban planning, overcrowding, and infrastructural deficits.
Interestingly, just as Nazareth was the birthplace of a transformative figure, Ajegunle has produced some of Nigeria’s most celebrated sports and entertainment personalities, including Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek, Daddy Showkey, Samson Siasia, and Taribo West. The area is a fertile ground for nurturing talent in these fields.
A stroll through Ajegunle reveals a subtle yet noticeable wave of urban renewal. However, this change is fragmented and lacks the coordinated approach necessary for true regeneration.
“What’s happening here isn’t regeneration,” says Funso Abayomi, a resident of Ajegunle for over two decades. “It’s gentrification, which typically involves renovating old buildings into upscale condominiums, but it’s happening sporadically, one block at a time, without a unified plan.”
Ajegunle’s transformation requires more than piecemeal upgrades. It demands a significant, government-led investment focused on comprehensive redevelopment that includes extensive commercial spaces and high-density residential buildings designed to optimize land use efficiently.