If you do a simple search on Google with the phrase ” oldest buildings in the world ” quickly you’ll find an answer to that search, but what about Nigeria? In this post, I’m going to share with 13 oldest buildings in Nigeria and when they were built.
Old buildings in Nigeria have both colonial and history around them.
Some of the very revered buildings in Nigeria are Christ Church Cathedral in Lagos, Jaekel House in Lagos, Lagos Colonial Secretariat, first European storey building in Nigeria, Badagry, Kajuru Castle in Kaduna, Oba of Benin Royal Palace in Benin, and Lugard Hall in Kaduna.
NOTE:- Buildings are arranged in no particular order.
1. Christ Church Cathedral, Lagos
The Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos is an Anglican cathedral on Lagos Island, Lagos.
The foundation stone for the first cathedral building was laid on 29 March 1867, and the cathedral was established in 1869.
2. Jaekel House, Lagos
Located inside the Ebute-Metta premises of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Jaekel House is a restored colonial mansion.
It now serves as a railway museum and photo gallery of the NRC’s colonial era.
3. Lagos Colonial Secretariat, Lagos
The Old Secretariat was completed in 1895. It was built in the English architectural style along with a two-twin tower which serves as a guard-front for security.
It is by far the most imposing colonial building in Lagos
4. Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ebute Ero
The Holy Trinity Church, Ebute-Ero, Lagos Island is the oldest church in Lagos. The church was first established as a mission station on Sunday 10th January 1852.
It was built by the early Anglican Missionaries and newly-converted locals.
5. The First European Storey Building in Nigeria
The famous white one-storey building in Badagry was constructed by the Rev. Henry Townsend of the Anglican Church Mission Society (CMS) in 1845.
Located on the Badagry Marina
6. Mapo Hall, Ibadan
It may not look like it, but this too is one of the oldest buildings in Nigeria.
Built-in 1929, Mapo Hall has witnessed 87 years of Nigerian history from its vantage point at Mapo Hill summit, the highest point in the city of Ibadan.
7. St. George’s Hall, Lagos
This building is located on Broad Street and was constructed in 1907. It houses St. George’s Lodge No. 3065 of the global Freemason Order.
8. Kajuru Castle, Kaduna
While the other buildings on this list are very old, Kajuru Castle is not since It was built by an unnamed German expatriate in 1978.
9. Oba of Benin Royal Palace, Benin
Visitors to the Oba’s palace are forbidden from taking pictures. Because of this, it is notoriously difficult to get a picture of this historic building.
Built by Oba Ewedo (1255AD–1280AD) as the symbol of the mighty Bini Empire for 6 centuries.
10. Kings College, Lagos
Kings College was built in 1909 by the British colonial administration in Lagos. Built at the cost of £10,001 and is one of the oldest buildings in Nigeria.
11. Lugard Hall, Kaduna
Lugard Hall, the seat of the Kaduna State House of Assembly was built in 1914. Therefore, it is 103 years old. Named after Frederick Lugard and originally served as the seat of the legislative power of the Northern Protectorate.
12. Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar
This building dates back to 1895 founded by missionaries from the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1895. It is named after the Reverend Hope Masterton Waddell.
13. Centenary Hall Abeokuta
Centenary Hall Abeokuta The Egbaland centenary hall was built by the settlers to monumentalize their one hundred years story of peaceful existence at Abeokuta after the inter-tribal wars. It was constructed in 1950
Credit: Nigeria Stories on Twitter.