Business
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.

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)
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.
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.
Business
MTN Group says it’s under US investigation

South African mobile operator MTN Group said Monday it was under US investigation over its activities in Iran and Afghanistan, at a time of icy ties between Washington and Pretoria.
Africa’s biggest telecoms company is already facing court challenges in South Africa by Turkey’s Turkcell, which accuses it of winning the Iranian market through corruption.
In 2006, MTN was chosen over Turkcell to become the 49 percent minority shareholder in Iranian government-controlled mobile phone carrier Irancell.
MTN had been made aware of a US Department of Justice (DoJ) grand jury investigation relating to its former subsidiary in Afghanistan and Irancell, the company said in a statement.
“MTN is cooperating with the DoJ and voluntarily responding to requests for information,” said the statement accompanying the group’s financial results.
Grand juries typically decide whether or not to formally lay charges in a case and take it to trial.
The South African multinational is also facing a court case in the United States from US veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as relatives of soldiers killed in action, the statement said.
“The plaintiffs’ complaints allege that MTN supported anti-American militias in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Business
UBA Secures N5bn BoI MSME fund for disbursement to key sectors
The facility provides a maximum loan amount of N5 million per obligor, with a three-month moratorium on principal repayments, ensuring businesses have ample time to stabilise before they begin to service the loans.

•GMD/CEO UBA), Oliver Alawuba.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has secured a N5 billion loan facility from the Bank of Industry (BOI), to boost key sectors of the economy and support the growth of sustainable and viable businesses in the country, especially the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owned by women.
The facility disbursed through the Federal Government’s MSME Fund, is designed to stimulate key sectors of the economy, while offering affordable financing to support businesses, with a primary focus on Green Energy, Education, Healthcare, and Women-Owned Enterprises.
UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, who spoke about the facility emphasised the bank’s commitment to fostering economic growth by empowering MSMEs, which he described as the “livewire of any developing economy.
He said, “At UBA, we recognize the pivotal role MSMEs play in driving economic development, and how they make up a sizeable portion of what drives our economic growth.
It is in this vein that we have decided not to rest on our oars by facilitating initiatives dedicated to empowering businesses with the financial support they need to thrive.”
Alawuba maintained that, “by offering loans at a competitive 9% interest rate with a three-year tenor, we are removing the traditional barriers that hinder SME growth in Nigeria and Africa. And by this, our message to business owners is simple: Don’t let this once-in-a lifetime-opportunity elude you.
”The facility provides a maximum loan amount of N5 million per obligor, with a three-month moratorium on principal repayments, ensuring businesses have ample time to stabilise before they begin to service the loans.
Business
CPPE Proposes Policy Action to Reduce Food Prices
Dr Muda Yusuf, the Director/CEO of CPPE, noted that while progress has been made in moderating headline and core inflation, the persistence of food and month-on-month price increases highlights unresolved structural weaknesses.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) says that a coordinated mix of monetary, fiscal, and structural interventions will be required by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Ministry of Finance to consolidate recent drops in inflation and steer the economy toward sustained stability.
CPPE suggested in reaction to the July 2025 inflation reported by the NBS
The headline inflation declined for the fourth consecutive month, easing from 22.22% in June to 21.88% in July, a deceleration of 0.34%Month-on-month food inflation also moderated, falling from 3.25% in June to 3.12% in July, while core inflation posted marginal declines year-on-year (-0.03%) and a sharp slowdown month-on-month, from 3.46% to 0.97%.
Dr Muda Yusuf, the Director/CEO of CPPE, noted that while progress has been made in moderating headline and core inflation, the persistence of food and month-on-month price increases highlights unresolved structural weaknesses.
“The July 2025 inflation figures present a mixed outlook for the Nigerian economy, with notable improvements in key indicators but lingering risks that demand policy attention,” he said.
These developments reflect a gradually stabilising macroeconomic environment, supported by exchange rate stability, improved investor confidence, and the lingering impact of import duty waivers on key staples such as rice, maize, and sorghum.
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