You will find the site of Ilojo Bar, also known as Olaiya House or Casa da Fernandez, near Tinubu Square in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. This historic national monument, officially declared as one in 1956 by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, carries a fascinating architectural history. While some sources suggest it was originally constructed in 1855 by the Fernandez family as a bar and restaurant using returning ex-slaves skilled in Western building arts, research shows it was built in two halves between 1903 and 1914.
The Brazilian-styled structure originally consisted of a narrower right half owned by Galician trader José Amoedo Fernandez and a left half belonging to Vicente Guedes. Fernandez acquired the left section in 1903, remodeled it to match the right, and sold the property to Napoleon Rey Couto in 1914. Later purchased in 1933 by Alfred Omolana Olaiya, the building was renamed Ilojo Bar after his hometown in Ekiti State.
Though this historic structure was pulled down on Sunday, 11 September 2016 during the Eid weekend, the site remains a notable location under the control of the Lagos State Government. Visit to reflect on its rich past and complex, storied heritage.
What to see at Ilojo Bar
- Located near Tinubu Square in Lagos Island, Lagos State
- Historic Brazilian-styled architecture built between 1903 and 1914
- Declared a national monument in 1956 by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments
- Purchased by Alfred Omolana Olaiya in 1933 and named after his hometown
- Site currently under the control of the Lagos State Government following its 2016 demolition
Visiting tips
Keep in mind that the original structure was pulled down in 2016, so plan your visit around seeing the historic location controlled by the Lagos State Government.
How long: 30-45 minutes · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Ilojo Bar 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.
See the full Lagos travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.