₦airaland Forum

Surulere was once the most prominent urban slum in Nigeria until Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe was appointed the Minister of Lands, Surveys, and Natural Resources in January 1954.

He was one of 12 Nigerian ministers in the colonial Council of Ministers in Lagos under the Macpherson constitution arrangement. There were four Ministers from each of the three major parties at the time -NCNC, AG and NPC. The Council was headed by the Governor-General of Nigeria at the time; Sir John Stuart Macpherson and contained five other British ex-officio members.

Mbadiwe convinced the Council that he can clear the unsightly slums in Lagos mainland within his one year tenure. The AG opposed it and staged massive protests which failed to make the Council withdraw the consent already given to Mbadiwe.

He started the Surulere housing estate and within 12 months, he cleared the slums and rehoused all the slum dwellers in the newly built Surulere housing estate. Just like Gwarinpa estate in Abuja, the housing estate started attracting massive developments around the Surulere area.

No minister or governor has been able to replicate this feat in the history of Lagos as the federal capital and now a state in Nigeria.

The likes of Mbadiwe will always be remembered for their unequal contributions to the making of Lagos”.

#NigerianHistory

Culled

So na IGBO man follow develop the same LAGOS claimed by people based in Oshogbo and Ibadan?

Chai.. propaganda can only go far to an extent.

This is really newsworthy.

The Lagos especially the slumpy Surulere developed by Ozurumba Mbadiwe is now the Lagos Tinubu developed according to the deluded agbadorian supporters?

Meanwhile, it is the same Mbadiwe in whom a memorial road in the Ikoyi - VI linked bridge road is being renamed Oniru road by the current LASG? Hehehe! Let's paint the facts some more for them;

-1). The University of Lagos was conceived and birthed under the VC-Ship of the late Prof Eni Njoku while the Ibadan varsity under Prof Kenneth Dike two great Igbo sons.

However, UniLag rarely mention Eni Njoku when its history is mentioned because they wants history to be forgotten. Nigeria give credit to whom it is due.

-2). The famous Nigerian Stock Exchange( NSE) still owe its formation and establishment to the eternal credit of Sir Louis Odimegwu Ojukwu who conceived and nurtured its inceptional vision.

-3). The early development of Ikoyi ( sir Louis Odimegwu Ojukwu - Ikemba of Nnewi father ) and swampy Festac were developed by mainly men from the land of the rising sun.

-4). The late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe were among the arrowheads of the proscribed NADECO who staked their lives, faced Abacha fangs, took the bullets, and fought passionately for the actualization of the June-12 mandate of the late MKO Abiola when the so called "builder of men and Lagos" fled to Chicago Illinois to start engaging in his infamous heroin drug running that his is notorious for today. Abeg give credit to whom it is due.

Mbadiwe convinced the Council that he can clear the unsightly slums in Lagos mainland within his one year tenure. The AG opposed it and staged massive protests which failed to make the Council withdraw the consent already given to Mbadiwe

He started the Surulere housing estate and within 12 months, he cleared the slums and rehoused all the slum dwellers in the newly built Surulere housing estate. Just like Gwarinpa estate in Abuja, the housing estate started attracting massive developments around the Surulere area.

No minister or governor has been able to replicate this feat in the history of Lagos as the federal capital and now a state in Nigeria. The likes of Mbadiwe will always be remembered for their unequal contributions to the making of Lagos”.

Words on marble for posterity. Lekki Ajah corridor of Lagos was developed by the late baba Kekere - Abdullateef Ganiyu Jakande, but the druggie supporters said he even tamed the Atlantic ocean. Chai!

Lies and propaganda can travel million miles, but the truth will equally catch up with it and overtakes it. Agbadorian supporters what say ya?

Well, that’s why he’s honoured in Lagos, with the popular Ozumba Mbadiwe Road in highbrow Victoria Island. He was indeed a great man and a patriotic Nigerian.

Racoon:
Mbadiwe convinced the Council that he can clear the unsightly slums in Lagos mainland within his one year tenure. The AG opposed it and staged massive protests which failed to make the Council withdraw the consent already given to Mbadiwe

He started the Surulere housing estate and within 12 months, he cleared the slums and rehoused all the slum dwellers in the newly built Surulere housing estate. Just like Gwarinpa estate in Abuja, the housing estate started attracting massive developments around the Surulere area.

No minister or governor has been able to replicate this feat in the history of Lagos as the federal capital and now a state in Nigeria. The likes of Mbadiwe will always be remembered for their unequal contributions to the making of Lagos”.

Mbadiwe was such an Arch enemy of the Western Region that if the assassination of Premier Akintola is investigated deeply he would be part of the conspiracy just as Azikiwe was .
He was one of the prominent Eastern leaders who should have been on top the list of the coup plotters but mysteriously was spared by his kinsmen while Premier Akintola over 100km away in Ibadan was almost machine gunned into bits and pieces

Meanwhile Mbadiwe was one of the most corrupt politicians in the Balewa Govt

In 1952 Mbadiwe moved a motion to have Lagos removed from the Western Region

Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo,Akintola and the western Region with all his strength

christistruth01:
Mbadiwe was such an Arch enemy of the Western Region that if the assassination of Premier Akintola is investigated deeply he would be part of the conspiracy just as Azikiwe was .
He was one of the prominent Eastern leaders who should have been on top the list of the coup plotters but mysteriously was spared by his kinsmen while Premier Akintola over 100km away in Ibadan was almost machine gunned into bits and pieces

Meanwhile Mbadiwe was one of the most corrupt politicians in the Balewa Govt

In 1952 Mbadiwe moved a motion to have Lagos removed from the Western Region

Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo,Akintola and the western Region with all his strength

At least we know Mbadiwe contributed to the development of Lagos and forever, history will be good to him.

Now who are you and who knows your surname anywhere in Lagos ?

Have you ever been to Lagos before sef

I learnt something today

Thank you!
Lagos state government and APC over to you
Ethnic card or preserve our history

?

esnbrutality:
So na IGBO man follow develop the same LAGOS claimed by people based in Oshogbo and Ibadan?

Chai.. propaganda can only go far to an extent.

This is really newsworthy.

The university of lagos wey yorubas dey take shine....was concieved and built under An NCNC minister of education! Your stock exchange was inspired by its first chairman Odimegwu Ojukwu....NO NIGERIA history without 5 chapters for igbo contribution!

Eboofa:
The university of lagos wey yorubas dey take shine....was concieved and built under An NCNC minister of education! Your stock exchange was inspired by its first chairman Odimegwu Ojukwu....NO NIGERIA history without 5 chapters for igbo contribution!

Meaning , the Igbos gave Lagos "Life"


Lagos is supposed to be re-named after an Igbo man.

Culled

From

Where

lgbo

Boy


This was how lpob littered their propaganda across NL only to refrence their lies as fact.

Seun should verifiy this fraudulent claim before letting liars propagte fraud on this platform. .

ariesbull:
Surulere was once the most prominent urban slum in Nigeria until Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe was appointed the Minister of Lands, Surveys, and Natural Resources in January 1954.

He was one of 12 Nigerian ministers in the colonial Council of Ministers in Lagos under the Macpherson constitution arrangement. There were four Ministers from each of the three major parties at the time -NCNC, AG and NPC. The Council was headed by the Governor-General of Nigeria at the time; Sir John Stuart Macpherson and contained five other British ex-officio members.

Mbadiwe convinced the Council that he can clear the unsightly slums in Lagos mainland within his one year tenure. The AG opposed it and staged massive protests which failed to make the Council withdraw the consent already given to Mbadiwe.

He started the Surulere housing estate and within 12 months, he cleared the slums and rehoused all the slum dwellers in the newly built Surulere housing estate. Just like Gwarinpa estate in Abuja, the housing estate started attracting massive developments around the Surulere area.

No minister or governor has been able to replicate this feat in the history of Lagos as the federal capital and now a state in Nigeria.

The likes of Mbadiwe will always be remembered for their unequal contributions to the making of Lagos”.

#NigerianHistory

Culled

We Igbos should stop making things more difficult for the Igbo community in lagos

No historical account to debunk this fact? No CHINASA propaganda to change narratives?

The LAGOS you shout, was obviously packaged by IGBOs. Go and make noise with Osun or Oyo states..or even any other state in the SW.

Tinubu exposed your failures totally..


Awon ..our LAGOS by propaganda

christistruth01:
Mbadiwe was such an Arch enemy of the Western Region that if the assassination of Premier Akintola is investigated deeply he would be part of the conspiracy just as Azikiwe was .
He was one of the prominent Eastern leaders who should have been on top the list of the coup plotters but mysteriously was spared by his kinsmen while Premier Akintola over 100km away in Ibadan was almost machine gunned into bits and pieces

Meanwhile Mbadiwe was one of the most corrupt politicians in the Balewa Govt

In 1952 Mbadiwe moved a motion to have Lagos removed from the Western Region

Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo,Akintola and the western Region with all his strength

So they should hide facts because of insecure people?
Moreover, you aren't IGBO, just face your warrant.

This game Tinubu started again, after Awolowo drank otapia-pia will be played for generations.

We all saw the actions and propaganda against IGBOs. We see am!!

CoachBush:
We Igbos should stop making things more difficult for the Igbo community in lagos

You dey cry because..it shows that IGBOs gave life to LAGOS. You can't even boast of Oyo STATE sef..

Everyday LAGOS, Lagos...cho cho cho

SuperEagles:
Culled

From

Where

lgbo

Boy


This was how lpob littered their propaganda across NL only to refrence their lies as fact.

Seun should verifiy this fraudulent claim before letting liars propagte fraud on this platform. .

Slytiger
Chopnaira
Goodvibes007
Factchecker001

Only you all these monikers and more..

Abeg go look for propaganda to debunk this..

Or call your OGA Reno.

A wi tan o loun iba diwe, boo diwe un o ka o.- Akintola

Anointing touch this one, to start speaking in tongues.

ElSudani:
A wi tan o loun iba diwe, boo diwe un o ka o.- Akintola

See as the thread still dry abi Hellineus, Yarimo, Omenka, Seunmsg, Sarrki, NgeneUkwenu and others are asleep ni? They must be woken up. Chochocho about Lagos but all nah lies and propaganda.

esnbrutality:
So na IGBO man follow develop the same LAGOS claimed by people based in Oshogbo and Ibadan?

Chai.. propaganda can only go far to an extent.

This is really newsworthy.

they will never take it to front page

esnbrutality:
So na IGBO man follow develop the same LAGOS claimed by people based in Oshogbo and Ibadan?

Chai.. propaganda can only go far to an extent.

This is really newsworthy.

Stop lying!!!!!

it was LEDB that did the Surulere project, so you can pack in the lies and Propaganda that it was Mbadiwe and FG.which it wasn't .

Mbadiwe how?!!!!!!
Mbadiwe was always passionately fighting against anything benefiting the west and tried to stop the project!!!!!!

Sir Kofo Abayomi the Chairman of LEDB had to constantly stop Mbadiwe from hindering and interfering with the smoothly and successful running of the Surulere regeneration and rehousing project of the Lagos Exective Development Board


Lagos was already an International Port and African Economic power before your Ancestors knew it existed !

That was why Lagos Economy was still

boooooooooooommmmmmmiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnggggggggg tremendously during the civil war when you ran away!!!!!!


Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo, Akintola and Western Region with all his strength

Our people are just too magnanimous in victory


https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwZ8v86sYzX/?l=1

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document%3Frepid%3Drep1%26type%3Dpdf%26doi%3Df5f119598382e318c378da836cc4ba6154accb2c&ved=2ahUKEwjZ8Py01J2PAxUaXEEAHZJsO5AQFnoECCMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3zssdqzpvSmIPM8JPaQNYn

esnbrutality:
So na IGBO man follow develop the same LAGOS claimed by people based in Oshogbo and Ibadan?

Chai.. propaganda can only go far to an extent.

This is really newsworthy.

Stop lying!!!!!

it was LEDB that did the Surulere project, so you can pack in the lies and Propaganda that it was Mbadiwe and FG.which it wasn't .

Mbadiwe how?!!!!!!
Mbadiwe was always passionately fighting against anything benefiting the west and tried to stop the project!!!!!!

Sir Kofo Abayomi the Chairman of LEDB had to constantly stop Mbadiwe from hindering and interfering with the smoothly and successful running of the Surulere regeneration and rehousing project of the Lagos Exective Development Board


Lagos was already an International Port and African Economic power before your Ancestors knew it existed !

That was why Lagos Economy was still

boooooooooooommmmmmmiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnggggggggg tremendously during the civil war when you ran away!!!!!!


Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo, Akintola and Western Region with all his strength

Our people are just too magnanimous in victory


https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwZ8v86sYzX/?l=1

SuperEagles:
Culled

From

Where

lgbo

Boy


This was how lpob littered their propaganda across NL only to refrence their lies as fact.

Seun should verifiy this fraudulent claim before letting liars propagte fraud on this platform. .

Stop lying!!!!!

it was LEDB that did the Surulere project, so you can pack in the lies and Propaganda that it was Mbadiwe and FG.which it wasn't .

Mbadiwe how?!!!!!!
Mbadiwe was always passionately fighting against anything benefiting the west and tried to stop the project!!!!!!

Sir Kofo Abayomi the Chairman of LEDB had to constantly stop Mbadiwe from hindering and interfering with the smoothly and successful running of the Surulere regeneration and rehousing project of the Lagos Exective Development Board


Lagos was already an International Port and African Economic power before your Ancestors knew it existed !

That was why Lagos Economy was still

boooooooooooommmmmmmiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnggggggggg tremendously during the civil war when you ran away!!!!!!


Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo, Akintola and Western Region with all his strength

Our people are just too magnanimous in victory


https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwZ8v86sYzX/?l=1
(Modify

christistruth01:
Mbadiwe was such an Arch enemy of the Western Region that if the assassination of Premier Akintola is investigated deeply he would be part of the conspiracy just as Azikiwe was .
He was one of the prominent Eastern leaders who should have been on top the list of the coup plotters but mysteriously was spared by his kinsmen while Premier Akintola over 100km away in Ibadan was almost machine gunned into bits and pieces

Meanwhile Mbadiwe was one of the most corrupt politicians in the Balewa Govt

In 1952 Mbadiwe moved a motion to have Lagos removed from the Western Region

Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo,Akintola and the western Region with all his strength

Lagos was never part of the western region. Lagos was the capital of British Nigeria.

Lagos was limited to Victoria Island, some parts of Lagos mainland and some parts of Surulere.

The rest of today’s Lagos were called western region before and shortly after independence.

Racoon:
See as the thread still dry abi Hellineus, Yarimo, Omenka, Seunmsg, Sarrki, NgeneUkwenu and others are asleep ni? They must be woken up. Chochocho about Lagos but all nah lies and propaganda.

Guys!!! When others were having some good rest, making love, having fun at some club, etc, RACOON was sad and angry online, looking for whom to infect same with.

RACOON, do you have ANYONE who loves and cares about you at all? I mean, someone who truly cares about your state of mental and physical health. Do you have like a job, colleagues, etc? A life?

Lord have mercy. This situation is probably worse than i thought three days ago. Damn.

Christistruth03:
Stop lying!!!!!

it was LEDB that did the Surulere project, so you can pack in the lies and Propaganda that it was Mbadiwe and FG.which it wasn't .

Mbadiwe how?!!!!!!
Mbadiwe was always passionately fighting against anything benefiting the west and tried to stop the project!!!!!!

Sir Kofo Abayomi the Chairman of LEDB had to constantly stop Mbadiwe from hindering and interfering with the smoothly and successful running of the Surulere regeneration and rehousing project of the Lagos Exective Development Board


Lagos was already an International Port and African Economic power before your Ancestors knew it existed !

That was why Lagos Economy was still

boooooooooooommmmmmmiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnggggggggg tremendously during the civil war when you ran away!!!!!!


Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo, Akintola and Western Region with all his strength

Our people are just too magnanimous in victory


https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwZ8v86sYzX/?l=1
(Modify

I knew they were lying.

Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe (1915–1990) was a Nigerian nationalist, politician, and statesman whose influence extended beyond the political sphere into the physical and administrative development of Lagos. Though he hailed from the East, his tenure as a federal minister and administrator left a lasting imprint on the city, shaping its growth, urban planning, and reputation as Nigeria’s modern capital at the time. His contributions to Lagos can best be appreciated through two main lenses: his physical transformation projects and his administrative excellence.

Physical Contributions to Lagos Development

1. The Surulere Urban Renewal Project

One of Mbadiwe’s most remarkable achievements was the transformation of Surulere in the 1950s. As Minister of Lands, Surveys, and Natural Resources, he spearheaded a bold urban renewal program that cleared slums on the Lagos Mainland and replaced them with modern housing estates.

• Before his intervention, Surulere was a congested settlement marked by poor sanitation, overcrowding, and unsafe housing conditions.

• Within a year of policy execution, Mbadiwe successfully rehoused displaced families in well-planned estates with better infrastructure, ventilation, and access to roads.

• This project not only raised the standard of living for thousands of Lagosians but also set the stage for Surulere to evolve into one of Lagos’s most vibrant districts.

This intervention remains one of the earliest and most successful examples of urban planning and slum clearance in Nigeria.

2. Lasting Legacy Through Infrastructure Naming

In recognition of his developmental strides, one of Lagos’s most important roads, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue in Victoria Island, was named after him. Today, this road is not only a major artery that connects commercial and residential hubs but also hosts landmarks such as the Civic Centre and Civic Towers, reinforcing his association with modern Lagos infrastructure.

Administrative Excellence in Lagos Development

Beyond physical projects, Mbadiwe’s impact stemmed from his administrative capacity and visionary governance style.

1. Visionary Leadership in Urban Planning

Mbadiwe demonstrated foresight by introducing policies that combined slum clearance with resettlement, ensuring displaced residents were not left homeless. This was a departure from many colonial-era urban renewal efforts, which often displaced people without proper plans for relocation. His insistence on structured rehousing reflected a people-centered approach to governance.

2. Policy Innovation and Strategic Execution

He recognized the need for planned land use in a rapidly growing Lagos. His ministry introduced systematic housing layouts, orderly street patterns, and accessible infrastructure that improved the city’s livability. Importantly, his projects were executed with efficiency and speed, showing that government initiatives could deliver results when guided by strong administrative leadership.

3. Institutional Strengthening

Mbadiwe’s tenure strengthened federal and local agencies in charge of land administration and housing. His leadership style emphasized discipline, accountability, and measurable outcomes, which set new standards for government ministries. Later bodies like the Lagos Executive Development Board (LEDB) would build on this foundation, extending housing projects across the state.

4. A Model of Administrative Discipline

Mbadiwe was renowned for his flamboyance in public life, but behind this personality was a highly organized administrator who believed in efficiency, order, and accountability. His governance style served as a model for future administrators in Lagos, showing that development required not only political vision but also administrative competence.


Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe’s contribution to the development of Lagos State is best understood as a blend of tangible projects and intangible leadership qualities. His physical transformation of Surulere remains one of the city’s most enduring urban renewal successes, while the naming of Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue immortalizes his role in Lagos’s physical growth.

Equally important, his administrative excellence — characterized by visionary planning, policy innovation, institutional strengthening, and disciplined execution — provided the framework that allowed these physical projects to succeed. In many ways, Mbadiwe demonstrated that true development comes not just from building roads or houses but from building institutions and systems that sustain progress.

Today, his legacy lives on in both the landmarks that bear his name and the administrative principles that continue to guide urban development in Lagos.

Obaaderemi2:
I knew they were lying.

You will always deny the obvious ...

ariesbull:
You will always deny the obvious ...

What's the obvious? That ibos have to move to the SW before they can make it?

Revisionists, liars and propaganda merchants have landed.

If Mbadiwe was the enemy, why name a major trunk road after him?

Everybody knows Akintola was Awolowos major enemy.

In Lagos you have Awolowo way
In Lagos you have oZumba Mbadiwe way

Where is Akintola street sef...

You have failed woefully in trying to rewrite history.

The IGBO man was already building LAGOS, when TINUBU was still bathing with sand in Irabiji.

I see it's painful but facts must be facts...

Christistruth03:
Stop lying!!!!!

it was LEDB that did the Surulere project, so you can pack in the lies and Propaganda that it was Mbadiwe and FG.which it wasn't .

Mbadiwe how?!!!!!!
Mbadiwe was always passionately fighting against anything benefiting the west and tried to stop the project!!!!!!

Sir Kofo Abayomi the Chairman of LEDB had to constantly stop Mbadiwe from hindering and interfering with the smoothly and successful running of the Surulere regeneration and rehousing project of the Lagos Exective Development Board


Lagos was already an International Port and African Economic power before your Ancestors knew it existed !

That was why Lagos Economy was still

boooooooooooommmmmmmiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnggggggggg tremendously during the civil war when you ran away!!!!!!


Mbadiwe fought against Awolowo, Akintola and Western Region with all his strength

Our people are just too magnanimous in victory


https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwZ8v86sYzX/?l=1

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document%3Frepid%3Drep1%26type%3Dpdf%26doi%3Df5f119598382e318c378da836cc4ba6154accb2c&ved=2ahUKEwjZ8Py01J2PAxUaXEEAHZJsO5AQFnoECCMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3zssdqzpvSmIPM8JPaQNYn