Surulere

This article is about the neighbourhood in Lagos. For 2016 film, see Suru L'ere. For other uses, see Surulere (disambiguation).

Surulere
LGA Settlement
The National Arts Theatre, a Landmark in Surulere.
Surulere Surulere shown within Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°30′0″N 3°21′0″E
Country	Nigeria
State	Lagos State
Town	Lagos
Area
• Total	23 km^2 (9 sq mi)
Population  (2022)
• Total	744,400[1]
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
Postal code	101283

Surulere is a local government area located on the mainland in Lagos State, Nigeria. It has an area of 23 km² (8.9 sq mi). At the 2006 census, there were 503,975 inhabitants, with a population density of 21,864 inhabitants per square kilometer. The local government area is bordered by Yaba, Mushin, and Ebute-Metta.^[2]

History

During the rapid urbanization of Lagos, the city expanded to the west of its lagoon, which included present-day Surulere.^[3] Families from different regions of the country have historically settled in Surulere. In addition to the local settlers of Lagos, during the nineteenth century, various emancipated African Brazilians and Cubans, who were referred to as Aguda or Saros, settled in Surulere. Nigerians from the Northern region initially ended at Idi-Araba, while many people from the eastern part were in various quarters but predominantly at Obele, Ikate, and Aguda areas. Residents of Lagos Island who bought or leased land from the government and Aworis settled in New Lagos. In contrast, others lived in the neighborhoods of Itire, Lawanson, Ojuelegba, Animashaun, and Shitta.^[2] The New Lagos neighborhood, also known as the Surulere Re-Housing Estate, is among the first public housing projects in Nigeria.^[4] Itire, one of the quarters in Surulere, has a recognized traditional authority in the Onitire of Itire.^[2]

Industry

Amikanle Market, Surulere community

Emergence

In 1977, Surulere was the host location of a cultural festival, FESTAC 77, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. The event held between 15 January 1977 and 12 February 1977.^[5] Surulere is home to the 55,000-spectator capacity Lagos National Stadium built in 1972 for the 1973 All-Africa Games. The stadium had been allowed to become increasingly dilapidated from 2002 onwards.^[6] However, in preparation for the 2009 Under 17 FIFA World Cup the facilities were improved, and the event kicked off successfully in October 2009.^[7][8] Surulere also houses the Teslim Balogun Stadium, a multi-use stadium with capacity in excess of 24,000 where mainly football matches are staged. The main commercial streets in Surulere are Western Avenue, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Adelabu, Ogunalana Drive, and Aguda, while various open markets are dispersed in different neighborhoods. Industrial establishments are predominantly located at Iponri, Coker, and Iganmu.^[2] One of the most popular places in Surulere is Ojuelegba. It is known for its crowded setting and regarded as one of the busiest places in Lagos. It is one of the key transport nodes of Lagos, connecting the city's mainlands with Lagos Island and Victoria Island. It's also the place, popular Nigerian musician, Wizkid sang about in one of his most widely acclaimed single "Ojuelegba".^[9] In July 2024, The Nigerian Bar Association expanded with a new branch in Surulere.^[10]

Media

Film production studios started in Surulere during the late 1980s well into the 1990s.^{[citation needed]} It was home to the monthly magazines Newbreed and President, founded by Chief Chris Okolie, until publication ceased in the early 1990s. The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant and competition took place at the National Arts Theatre in 1988. In 2018, international sports brand Nike collaborated with Wizkid to release a limited edition sports jersey, bringing notoriety on the cultural presence of Surulere and the city of Lagos to the global scene.^[11][12]

The Beyoncé video "Key to the Kingdom" from Black is King features the Surulere National Arts Theater prominently in its opening shots.

Landmarks and places

• National Stadium Lagos.
• National Arts Theatre.
• Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Lagos.
• Teslim Balogun Stadium.
• Ojuelegba.
• Tastee Fried Chicken.
• Amala Shitta.^[13]
• Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA)
• Ansar Ud Deen
• Leventis Store (Defunct)^[14]
• St. Anthony's Catholic Church
• Randle General Hospital
• Nigerian Breweries
• Vivian Fowler^[15]
• Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping mall
• UTC Supermarket (Defunct)^[14]
• Eko Bridge
• Birch Freeman High School
• Kernel Recreation Park^[16]
• Bode Thomas Street
• Iponri estate
• Eric Moore Towers
• Helmbridge Study Center
• Afro-Spot (Fela Kuti's first shrine)^[17][18]
• Wavecrest College of Hospitality^[19]

Aerial view of the Teslim Balogun Stadium built next to the National Stadium Lagos.

Notable people

Ayodeji Balogun, Wizkid.

The following is a list of notable people who were either born in, lived in, are current residents of, or are otherwise closely associated with or around the city of Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.

• Eric Olawolu Moore,† a member of an Egba royal family.^[20]
• Wizkid, Internationally recognized music recording artist.
• Waidi Akanni, Former national footballer and executive.
• Babatunde Fashola, Politician and former governor of Lagos State.
• Teslim Fatusi, International footballer.
• Ade Olufeko, Technologist and entrepreneur.
• Desmond Elliot, Actor and politician.
• Ramsey Nouah, Internationally recognized film actor.
• Bankulli, Singer and songwriter.
• Folashade Sherifat Jaji, Noteworthy chemist and civil servant.
• Tade Ogidan, Film and television director.
• Damilola Adegbite, Actress and television personality.
• Aliko Dangote, Nigerian billionaire.^[21]
• Linda Ejiofor, Tinsel television actress.
• Tana Adelana, Nollywood actress.
• Rilwan Akiolu, Traditional Oba of Lagos.
• Bose Kaffo, Professional table tennis player.
• Femi Gbajabiamila, Lawyer and politician.
• S.B. Bakare †, Stevedore Businessman
• Bukky Ajayi †, Film Actress.
• Ikenna Azuike, British Nigerian lawyer and broadcaster.
• Simi, Soul singer and song writer.
• Samuel Okwaraji †, Footballer (Died during 1990 world-cup qualifier)
• Lanre Tejuosho, Politician.
• Hakeem Olajuwon, Retired professional basketball player, 2× NBA champion.
• Pepenazi, Nigerian recording artist
• OJB Jezreel †, Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer.
• Nneka Isaac Moses, Nigerian Actress and fashion designer.
• Tayo Aderinokun †, Bank executive.
• Henry Dele Alake, Nigerian journalist, activist and technocrat.
• Ken Nwadiogbu, Visual Artist.
• Seyi Sodimu, Singer songwriter.
• Victor Olaiya, trumpeter and highlife musician.
• Adewale Maja-Pearce, writer
• A. Igoni Barrett, writer^[22]
• Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Broadcaster, On-Air Personality
• Mojisolaoluwa Alli Macaulay, politician ^{[citation needed]}
• Raphael Akpejiori, Professional boxer

See also

• Ojuelegba
• Ikeja
• Yaba

References

1. "Surulere Local Government Area in Nigeria". City Population. citypopulation.de. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
2. Lagos State (Nigeria); Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports; Public Information Department; Lagos State (Nigeria); Ministry of Information and Culture; Public Information Department (1992). Our town series. Lagos: The Dept. OCLC 37372024.
3. "Lagos State Information". National Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
4. Aduwo, B. E. (2011). HOUSING TRANSFORMATION AND ITS IMPACT ON NEIGHBOURHOODS IN SELECTED LOW-INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN LAGOS, NIGERIA (phd thesis). Covenant University.
5. Jonathan, Randall (14 February 1977). "FESTAC: Upbeat Finale". Washington Post. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
6. "The abandoned National Stadium in Lagos (Editorial)". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. 9 November 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2008. ^{[dead link‍]}
7. Solomon Nwoke (8 October 2009). "U-17 - Surulere Gets Ready". Vanguard. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
8. Oluwashina Okeleji (23 October 2009). "Nigeria ready for U17 World Cup". BBC News. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
9. "MAMA 2016: Wizkid wins Best Male Act - Premium Times Nigeria". 22 October 2016.
10. Braide, Damiete (18 July 2024). "NBA establishes new branch in Surulere, Anene Nwadukwe elected as chairman". The Sun (Nigeria). Retrieved 13 September 2024.
11. "Nike and Wizkid Celebrate Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria". Nike News. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
12. "Pictures: Wizkid Collaborates With Nike For Starboy Jersey". The Guardian Nigeria. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
13. Smart, Tony. "Bounce Exclusive: Top Ten Amala Joints In Lagos". Bounce Exclusive: Top Ten Amala Joints In Lagos. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
14. Adeoye, Temiloluwa (7 June 2015). "The Return Of Super Stores In Nigeria". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
15. "VIVIAN FOWLER MEMORIAL COLLEGE FOR GIRLS". Lagos Schools Online. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
16. Adegboye, Kingsley (27 July 2009). "Kernel Recreation Park reunites residents of Surulere". Vanguard. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
17. Olulana, Deji (4 August 2016). "Fela Kuti". the234project. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
18. "Fela Kuti: Chronicle of A Life Foretold". The Wire. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
19. "Wavecrest College of Hospitality". Retrieved 26 April 2020.
20. "Historical Facts About Lagos State: Victoria Island Was Named After Queen Victoria By The British Govt". naijagists.com. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
21. "ALIKO DANGOTE Reveals His Other Sides •What He Told CNN About His Life". happenings.com.ng. Happenings NG. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
22. "Local author publishes new book". Surulere Now, Volume 1, Number 3, August/September 2015.

External links

• Surulere Now!

6°30′N 3°21′E