Somolu, Nigeria

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Somolu, Nigeria

Region: Lagos

---

Geographic Coordinates: 6.540800, 3.387200

Population: 403569

Language: Yoruba

---

Somolu is a densely populated local government area in Lagos State, Nigeria. It shares boundaries with Yaba, Bariga, Shomolu, And Surulere. Somolu has a rich cultural heritage dating back to the pre-colonial era. The population of Somolu is estimated at around 402, 673 people according to the National Population Commission (NPC) census conducted in 2006. The predominant ethnic group in Somolu are the Yoruba people who have their own language called Yoruba. English is also widely spoken as it serves as the official language of Nigeria.

Somolu’s economy thrives on trade and commerce with several markets such as Tejuosho Market, Oluwole Market and Alade Market where traders sell various products at affordable prices. In terms of education facilities available in Somolu there are several primary schools such as Adebola Baptist Primary School; secondary schools like Igbobi College which was founded by CMS in 1932; tertiary institutions like Federal College Of Education Technical Akoka which offers courses ranging from vocational training to degree programs.

Somulu also has many health care centers providing medical services for its residents including general hospitals such as Gbagada General Hospital; private hospitals like Reddington Hospital located at Anthony Village that offers world-class health care services using modern technology; clinics like St Kizito Clinic located at Bariga that provides basic health care services for residents. Another notable feature about Somulu is its transportation system which includes buses plying different routes within Lagos State; commercial motorcycles known as Okada used mainly for short distances and tricycles known as Keke Napep which are used mainly for transportation within the local government.

Somulu is a vibrant area of Lagos State with a rich cultural heritage, Thriving economy, Quality education facilities, Health care centers and an efficient transportation system. It’s home to many diverse ethnic groups who live in harmony with each other making it one of the most peaceful areas in Lagos State.

---

---

1. National Stadium Lagos
2. Teslim Balogun Stadium
3. Yaba College of Technology
4. University of Lagos
5. Jibowu Bus Station
6. Tejuosho Market
7. Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall
8. Ojuelegba Under Bridge Artwork

---

1. Retail: There are many small retail businesses in Somolu selling a wide range of products, including food, clothing, electronics, and household items.
2. Education: Several primary and secondary schools in Somolu provide education to the local community.
3. Healthcare: Several hospitals and clinics in Somolu offer healthcare services to the local population.
4. Manufacturing: Some manufacturing companies operate in Somolu producing goods such as textiles, plastics, and chemicals.
5. Agriculture: The area around Somolu is known for its agriculture with farmers growing crops such as cassava, yam, and vegetables.
6. Transportation: The area has a well-developed transportation network with buses, taxis, motorcycles (known as Okada) used for commuting within the city.
7. Banking & Finance: Several banks have branches located within Somolu offering financial services to residents of the area.
8. Hospitality & Tourism – There are several hotels located within or near to somulu that provide accommodation for tourists visiting Lagos state or business travelers visiting other parts of Nigeria.

---

1. Somolu Local Government Area was established in Lagos State, Nigeria in 1976.
2. Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997), a Nigerian musician and political activist who pioneered the Afrobeat music genre and was an outspoken critic of the Nigerian government, was born in Somolu.
3. Somolu Market is one of the largest markets in Lagos State and a major hub for trade and commerce, located in Somolu.
4. Several historic landmarks are located in Somolu, including the Iga Idunganran Palace (the former residence of the Oba of Lagos), St. Jude’s Anglican Church (built-in 1906), and the National Stadium Surulere (built-in 1972).
5. Notable Nigerians such as Babatunde Fashola (former Governor of Lagos State), Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate for Literature), Gbenga Adeyinka (comedian and television host) were either born or resided in Somolu.
6. Over the years, several political rallies and protests have taken place at Somolu during Nigeria’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule in the mid-20th century.
7. There are several primary schools, secondary schools, vocational training centers, tertiary institutions like Yaba College Of Technology located within its boundaries to cater to its residents’ educational needs at Somolu – making it a center for education.

---

1. National Museum Lagos
2. Nike Art Gallery
3. Freedom Park Lagos
4. Kalakuta Republic Museum
5. Terra Kulture
6. Oba Eshugbayi Art Gallery
7. Lekki Conservation Centre
8. Nigerian National Theatre
9. Yaba College of Technology Art and Design Department Gallery
10. The Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina

---

---

Football Teams:

1. Stationery Stores Football Club: This was one of the most successful football clubs in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s. They won several domestic titles including the Nigerian Premier League.
2. Young Strikers FC: This is a grassroots football club that has produced several talented players over the years.
3. New Era FC: This is another grassroots football club that has been active for many years.

Basketball Teams:

1. Somolu Warriors Basketball Club: This is a basketball team that plays in various local leagues within Lagos State.
2. Lagos Islanders Basketball Club: Although not based solely in Somolu but with its home court located at Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere which isn’t too far from Somulu

Athletics (Track & Field):

There are also some notable athletes from Somulu such as Ese Brume who won a bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2019 World Championships held at Doha, Qatar.

Overall it can be seen that while there may not be any major professional sports team based solely out of Somulu itself, the area has still contributed to Nigerian Sports with its own share of talented individuals and grassroots clubs over time.

---

---

1. Eyo Festival is a cultural celebration held in Lagos, with Somolu being one of the areas where it takes place. The festival features masquerades, music and dance.
2. Ojude Oba Festival is an annual event celebrated by the Ijebu people of Somolu. The festival includes horse riding, traditional attire displays and cultural performances.
3. Lagos Carnival is a street carnival that takes place annually in Lagos with participation from residents of Somolu who showcase colorful costumes and dance performances.
4. Fanti Carnival celebrates the Fanti community in Somolu through music, dance and food.
5. Eko International Film Festival showcases Nigerian films to a global audience annually at Silverbird Galleria Victoria Island but also has events happening around other parts of Lagos including Somolu.
6. Felabration celebrates the life and legacy of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti over a week-long period which usually includes concerts featuring local musicians held at different venues across Lagos including some venues within Somolu area.
7. The African Drums Festival (ADF) is an annual event showcasing African drumming traditions from various cultures around Africa which has been held since 2016 in Abeokuta but sometimes has satellite events happening elsewhere like Lagos where some drums troupes from Somolu have participated before.

---

• Amala Shitta: This is a popular restaurant in Somolu that serves amala, a traditional Nigerian dish made from yam flour and served with soup or stew.
• Ewa Aganyin: This is a popular street food in Lagos that originated from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It consists of boiled beans served with spicy stew and bread.
• Suya Spot: Suya is a spicy grilled meat dish that is popular across Nigeria, and there are many suya spots in Somolu where you can try this delicious snack.
• Mama Cass Restaurant: This chain of restaurants serves traditional Nigerian dishes such as jollof rice, fried rice, eba, pounded yam, egusi soup, vegetable soup and more.
• White House Restaurant & Bar: This restaurant offers local dishes such as pepper soup (a spicy broth made with meat or fish), nkwobi (cow foot), isi-ewu (goat head) and more.
• Bukka Hut: Bukka Hut offers authentic Nigerian cuisine such as ewedu soup with amala or eba; ogbono soup; peppered snail; jollof rice; fried rice; plantain porridge among others.
• Iya Oyo Amala Joint & Eatery: Another great spot for amala lovers to get their fix! They serve different types of soups to go along with your amala including gbegiri (bean soup), ewedu (jute leaves) among others
• Bungalow Restaurant & Bar : Known for its tasty foods like Ofada Rice served with Ayamase sauce , Fried Rice , Jollof Rice , Pounded Yam etc .
• Oh Mamma Kitchen : A small but cozy restaurant known for its yummy meals like Egusi Soup , Banga Soup , Pepper Soup , Fried Rice and more .
• Mama Put Joint : This is a popular spot for those who want to eat like the locals . They serve dishes like Efo Riro , Amala , Pounded Yam and more .

---



Parks and Recreation

1. Somolu Local Government Stadium
2. Akinro Park
3. Igbobi College Playground
4. Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Sports Complex
5. Gbagada Phase 2 Recreation Ground
6. Onipanu Recreational Park
7. Bariga Waterfront Park
8. Babs Animashaun Mini Stadium
9. Fadeyi Recreation Grounds

---



Create Memories, Travel Often.

---