Especially in Nigeria, there is no scarcity of historical structures, no matter how old or damaged. You enter more than just a structure when you step through those doors—you enter memories, tales, and history—when you look past the paint job, décor, and bricks and mortar. It begs to say that a building serves several purposes beyond just providing a roof over your head. They coexist with time and help to preserve history.
Lets see the buildings in Nigeria that hold strong historical meaning and when they were built.
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.
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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.
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
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ebute Ero
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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
The first European storey building in Nigeria
This 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.
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.
St. George’s Hall, Lagos
located on Broad Street was constructed in 1907. It houses St. George’s Lodge No. 3065 of the global Freemason Order.
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.
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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.
Kings College, Lagos
Kings College, 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.
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 legislative power of the Northern Protectorate.
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.
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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.
Gidan Rumfa
Gidan Rumfa was built by Emir of Kano Muhammadu Rumfa in 1463.
Kano Musuem
Kano Musuem popularly know as Gidan Makama is 500 years old. Also built in the 15th century for the Emir of Kano Rumfa.
Egedege N’Okaro
This is the 1st storey building in Benin was built in 1906 by Chief Iyamu from red furnace-fired bricks with wooden decking and it is identified as one of the oldest buildings in Nigeria. The design of the building was given to Chief Iyamu by a Briton, Mr. Crawe Reade, a colonial officer who supervised its construction.
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Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS)
Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha, Anambra State. Built between 1920-1925.
Kano and Katsina Palace
The royal palaces in Katsina and Kano were built in the 14th century AD. Here’s the palace in Katsina, built in 1348 AD. The Haɓe dynasty ruled from it for over 450 years, the Fulani took over in 1807 and have ruled from there ever since.
The Basilisks of The Most Holy Trinity Onitsha
The Basilisks of the Most Holy trinity Onitsha is one of the oldest as well, built between 1930 and 1935.
Built in Enugu by the portugese in 1758.
Mary Slessor House, Calabar
Constructed in the late 1800s, this unassuming home with a thatched roof and austere exterior formerly served as the home of the renowned Scottish missionary who was most recognised for putting an end to the twin killings in Calabar. Mary Mitchell Slessor made the decision to live among the Calabar people as opposed to living with her other missionaries in the missionary quarters. The result of that courageous choice is the Mary Slessor House in Ekenge, Calabar, which continues to stand as a tribute to her bravery and unselfish service.
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