Home / History & Kiingdoms / Lagos Island Heritage Walk: Isale Eko, Tinubu Square, the Brazilian Quarter and the Landmarks of Old Lagos

Lagos Island Heritage Walk: Isale Eko, Tinubu Square, the Brazilian Quarter and the Landmarks of Old Lagos

By Ààrẹ Ilẹ̀ Abínibí

October 16, 2026

Aerial view of Victoria Island and the Lagos lagoon with boats and the city skyline, the city where Herbert Macaulay built his political career

Lagos Island, the historic heart of Eko, is packed with layers of Yoruba, Brazilian and colonial history. This guide suggests a Lagos Island heritage walk through its best-known landmarks, with a short history of each. Streets are busy and routes change, so confirm opening times and travel with a local guide where possible.

Isale Eko: The Old Heart of Lagos

Isale Eko is the oldest part of Lagos Island and the traditional home of the Lagos chiefs. It is where the Eyo masquerades parade on special occasions; see our guide to the Eyo Festival. The area’s story is told in the history of Lagos.

Iga Idunganran: The Oba’s Palace

Iga Idunganran is the palace of the Oba of Lagos. The palace and the title reflect Lagos’s links with the Kingdom of Benin and the Yoruba world; compare thrones in Yoruba kings and Obas.

Tinubu Square

Tinubu Square is named for Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the nineteenth-century trader and political figure; read about her in Iyalode and famous Yoruba people.

Everyday street life in Lagos, Nigeria, the busy setting for a heritage walk across Lagos Island

The Brazilian Quarter (Popo Aguda)

After abolition, returnees from Brazil settled on Lagos Island and brought architecture, food and festivals with them. The area is known as the Brazilian Quarter. Read the Brazil connection in the Yoruba and the Atlantic slave trade and the Yoruba diaspora.

Freedom Park and Onikan

Freedom Park: a public space on the site of a former colonial prison, now used for arts and events.
Onikan museums: the National Museum and the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

Walk Planning Tips

Start early, as traffic and crowds build quickly.
Dress modestly and carry only what you need.
Ask permission before photographing people or shrines.
Learn greetings from Yoruba greetings.

For more trip ideas, read best places to visit in Yorubaland, and for background on the city see Wikipedia’s Lagos Island page.

Lagos Island Heritage Walk FAQs

What is Isale Eko?

Isale Eko is the old core of Lagos Island, home of the traditional Lagos chiefs.

Who is Tinubu Square named after?

It is named after Madam Efunroye Tinubu, a nineteenth-century trader and political figure.

What is the Brazilian Quarter in Lagos?

It is an area settled by returnees from Brazil who brought their architecture and culture.

Tagged:Lagos Tourism Nigeria Yoruba History

Ààrẹ Ilẹ̀ Abínibí

I am Lónimí, the founder of Ilẹ̀ Abínibí, a platform dedicated to exploring, documenting and promoting the Abínibí culture, history, language and indigenous knowledge. My goal is to make our heritage easier to understand, preserve the wisdom of our ancestors and reconnect present and future generations with the traditions and identity that define us as a people. Through Ilẹ̀ Abínibí, I hope to keep our stories alive, encourage cultural discovery and ensure that our roots remain a meaningful part of our future.