Tafawa Balewa Square

Welcome to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), a massive 14.5-hectare (35.8-acre) ceremonial ground located on Lagos Island. Originally known as the Lagos Race Course on land provided by Oba Dosunmu in 1859, this historic location once hosted horse racing, cricket, football, and Empire Day parades before being redeveloped for Nigeria's 1960 independence celebration. Reconstructed in 1972, TBS is a landmark site where Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa delivered his iconic independence speech.

When you visit, you will enter through an impressive entrance topped with colossal sculptures of four white horses and seven red eagles, representing strength and dignity from the national emblem. Inside the 55,000-capacity square, you can view the Remembrance Arcade, which honors victims of World War I, World War II, and the Nigerian Civil War. Towering over the complex is the 26-storey Independence House, built in 1963.

You will also see the renowned Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval—the traditional home of cricket in Nigeria—upgraded in 2022 to a 10-strip turf meeting ICC standards. Though the area currently struggles with unkempt conditions, erosion, and refuse dumping around its fences, it remains a vital venue for Democracy Day, musical jamborees, and major national gatherings.

What to see at Tafawa Balewa Square

• Gigantic entrance sculptures featuring four white horses and seven red eagles
• Historic Remembrance Arcade honoring World War I, World War II, and Civil War victims
• The 26-storey Independence House, built in 1963
• The famous Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, featuring an ICC-standard turf
• Site of Nigeria's 1960 independence celebration and major national events

Visiting tips

Be aware that poor waste management and blocked drainage can leave parts of the surrounding perimeter looking unkempt.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Tafawa Balewa Square is easy to reach on Lagos’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Nigerian National Museum, Lagos and Lagos Central Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Lagos travel guide.