Victoria Island (Nigeria) - History

History

Victoria Island was originally entirely surrounded by water - bordered by the Atlantic ocean on the south,the mouth of the Lagos Lagoon on the West, the Five Cowrie Creek to the north North and swamps on the East. The colonial government began the process of filling in the eastern swamps to reduce mosquito breeding areas. This created a land bridge between Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula ending its existence as a true island. After independence, successive state governments expanded this development, culminating in the construction of a highway connecting Victoria Island to Epe. This activity, along with the rapid commercialisation of Victoria Island, served to stimulate residential development along the Lekki-Epe corridor, starting with Lekki Phase 1.

The area of the land bridge, composed of the former swampland (which was called Maroko) became a large slum which housed many of the new migrants to Lagos State. Residents of the Island complained about this problem, leading the then military Governor of the State – Raji Rasaki – to forcibly remove/displace these squatters (some of whom had legal title to their property). This area – called Victoria Island Annex – was then cleared and sold to residential buyers. Subsequent reclamation has expanded this area to the extent that it is now connected to the Lekki Peninsula. This new, enlarged area is referred to as “Oniru Estate” after the ruling family of the area.