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Places You Can Live Comfortably on the Lagos Island and Mainland, by Dennis Isong

VI is the business hub of Lagos, but it also has amazing residential areas. You’ll find top-notch apartments, good schools, fine dining, and beaches. The only downside? The rent is not smiling. But if you want to live close to work and still enjoy premium comfort, VI is an excellent choice.

Published

12 months ago

March 7, 2025

OCHEFA

451 Views

You know how Lagos is, right? One minute, you’re stuck in traffic for three hours, and the next, you’re enjoying the best suya of your life.

But let’s be honest—where you live in Lagos can make or break your experience.

That’s why we’re here, to help you find places you can comfortably live, whether you prefer the Island’s flashy vibes or the Mainland’s rugged charm.

Best Places to Live on the Island

▪︎Lagos Island and Mainland \ Shutterstock.com

If you love the soft life and don’t mind paying premium prices, the Island is for you. Here are some top areas to consider:

1. Ikoyi

If Lagos had a VIP section, it would be Ikoyi. This place is home to the rich and powerful. The roads are clean, the houses are luxurious, and security is top-notch.

Expect well-paved streets, high-end restaurants, and some of the most expensive real estate in Nigeria. If your wallet can handle it, Ikoyi is one of the best places to live in Lagos.

2. Victoria Island (VI)

3. Lekki Phase 1

Lekki Phase 1 is for those who want the Island experience but can’t quite afford Ikoyi or VI. It has a mix of luxury and affordability (by Lagos standards). You’ll find many young professionals, good schools, nice estates, and fun places like malls and lounges. However, be ready for traffic, especially during rush hours.

Places like Phase 1 and Phase 2 are particularly popular for their neat environment and relatively stable electricity.

4. Chevron Drive and Ajah

These areas are for people who want the Island life but at a slightly more affordable rate. Ajah has seen major development, with beautiful estates and good roads. Just make sure your house is in a flood-free zone because rain in Lagos can humble even the best plans.

5. Eko Atlantic

This is the future of Lagos. A city built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean, offering ultra-modern apartments, luxury living, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. If you have the budget for it,

Eko Atlantic is the definition of futuristic living.

Best Places to Live on the Mainland

The Mainland is for those who love Lagos but don’t want to sell a kidney to afford rent. Here are the best places to live comfortably:

1. Ikeja

Ikeja is the capital of Lagos and one of the best places to live on the Mainland. Areas like GRA, Maryland, and Magodo offer good housing, reliable electricity, and less traffic compared to other parts of the Mainland. Plus, you have easy access to the airport, malls, and entertainment spots.

2. Magodo

Magodo feels like the Ikoyi of the Mainland. It is a secure, well-planned area with good roads, beautiful estates, and an organized environment. If you want a peaceful lifestyle with a touch of luxury but don’t want to cross the Third Mainland Bridge every day, Magodo is a great option.

3. Yaba

Yaba is the tech hub of Lagos. With Unilag and several startups in the area, it has a youthful, vibrant feel. Yaba is also home to affordable and decent housing, good transportation links, and a bubbling nightlife. If you’re a young professional or student, Yaba is a solid choice.

4. Surulere

Surulere is the best mix of old and new Lagos. It has good residential estates, a lively social scene, and is centrally located.

You can get to the Island easily while still enjoying affordable rent. Plus, it’s home to the National Stadium, where you can catch football matches and concerts.

5. Ogudu GRA

Ogudu GRA is a hidden gem. It has a serene environment, great road networks, and reliable security. It’s close to both the Mainland and the Island, making it convenient for professionals who need easy movement around Lagos.

6. Festac and Amuwo-Odofin

If you love space and want a family-friendly environment, these areas are great options. They have organized estates, good schools, and a peaceful vibe that is rare in Lagos. Plus, they are close to the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, making travel easier.

7. Gbagada

Gbagada is another top pick for Mainland living. It is well-planned, has a good mix of modern and old buildings, and offers easy access to both the Island and other parts of the Mainland.

▪︎For personalized assistance with property needs in Jakande and the broader Lagos area, interested parties can contact Dennis Isong, a top Lagos realtor specializing in helping Nigerians in the diaspora own property stress-free. He can be reached at +2348164741041.

Related Topics:Bsst places to live on Lagos mainland and island Featured Real Estate

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CBN’s Cardoso Advocates cross-border payments reform at G-24 meeting

“With global remittance corridors costing over 6.0 percent, settlement lags of several days, and compliance burdens that exclude MSMEs, millions remain disconnected from global opportunity.”

Published

6 hours ago

February 19, 2026

OCHEFA

12 Views

Olayemi Cardoso, governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has called for reforming cross-border payments system , asserting that its too inefficient to support inclusive growth in developing economies.

Cardoso made the call on Thursday during the G-24 Technical Group Meetings in Abuja, warning that high costs and settlement delays are shutting millions out of global trade and finance.

” It is not merely a technical upgrade but a macroeconomic priority, as the channels through which capital, remittances and trade flow increasingly shape financial stability”,said Cardoso.

He emphasised that payment systems now sit at the heart of global economic integration and financial stability, but remain structurally biased against emerging and developing markets.

“Today, cross-border payments remain too slow, too costly, and too fragmented, especially for developing economies,” Cardoso said.

“With global remittance corridors costing over 6.0 percent, settlement lags of several days, and compliance burdens that exclude MSMEs, millions remain disconnected from global opportunity.”

Business

NAFDAC Seals 18 Warehouses Over Expired Products in Niger State

According to NAFDAC, about 80,000 packets of expired non-alcoholic drinks, 5,000 packets of dairy milk, 16,000 packets of bottled water, 28 cartons of pasta and other assorted expired products were uncovered during the operation.

Published

8 hours ago

February 19, 2026

OCHEFA

22 Views

Photo: Expired beverages ; Credit: NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed no fewer than 18 warehouses in Bida, Niger State, following the discovery of large quantities of expired food and beverage products valued at over ₦100 million.

The warehouses, located around Ndazabo White House along Minna Road and behind Bida Modern Market, were shut after NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement team acted on credible intelligence.

Items recovered during the raid included expired non-alcoholic beverages, dairy milk, candies, bottled water and pasta, some of which were already packaged for distribution.

Managers of the affected warehouses were arrested for interrogation, during which preliminary findings linked the facilities to a company identified as BY Ventures.

This prompted NAFDAC officials to extend their operation to supermarkets owned by the company in Minna, where additional expired products and counterfeit Goya oil were allegedly found.

Both supermarkets were subsequently sealed, while the Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo, was invited for further questioning.

The agency said that he admitted ownership of the expired products during interrogation.

NAFDAC stated that investigations are ongoing and that appropriate regulatory sanctions would be imposed at the conclusion of the process to serve as a deterrent to others.

Business

Wema Bank Announces Grand Event for International Women’s Day 2026 on March 4

Published

12 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Charles Flames

21 Views

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous financial institution and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced it will host its highly anticipated 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) Grand Event on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.

The event, described by the bank as the industry’s biggest celebration of its kind, aligns with the global IWD 2026 theme “Give To Gain.” Wema Bank has adopted the sub-theme “When Women Gain, We Grow,” emphasizing the transformative impact of supporting and investing in women across personal, professional, and societal levels.

According to Managing Director/CEO Moruf Oseni, the initiative underscores the bank’s long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment and gender inclusion, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.

Through its women-focused proposition, SARA by Wema (launched in 2019), the institution has consistently championed programs like SARA Gives and the Big Sister Graduation Challenge to uplift women at every stage.

The March 4 event is expected to feature keynote addresses, fireside chats, panel discussions, networking sessions, and opportunities to convene top women leaders from diverse industries alongside everyday women navigating their paths to success.

It aims to foster actionable conversations on empowerment, leadership, and collective growth.

Registration is now open via the official portal at wemabank.com/iwd, with the bank encouraging early participation to secure spots.

This announcement builds on Wema Bank’s history of impactful IWD celebrations and reinforces its dedication to promoting gender equality and women’s advancement in Nigeria and beyond.

Further details on the venue, speakers, and full agenda are expected to be released in the coming weeks.