In the vibrant world of early twentieth-century Lagos, one name stood out among the city’s rising African businessmen, Andrew Wilkinson Thomas.
A man of Yoruba origin, he came from Oyo and made his home in Lagos at a time when the city was growing into West Africa’s commercial capital. Lagos was alive with new ideas, ships, traders, and opportunity, and Thomas found his place in its unfolding story as a merchant and auctioneer.
He represented the spirit of a generation of Africans who combined traditional Yoruba enterprise with the modern business culture introduced under colonial rule. Intelligent, disciplined, and enterprising, he became known for his integrity and skill in trade, qualities that earned him respect across the city’s mixed communities of Yoruba, Saro, and Afro-Brazilian residents.
The Rise of a Lagos Auctioneer
By the early 1900s, Andrew Wilkinson Thomas had established himself as one of Lagos’s first recognized African auctioneers. He conducted property and estate sales, connecting European merchants, colonial administrators, and African investors in a marketplace that was rapidly expanding.
His work brought him into contact with some of the leading figures of the time. Through business and family ties, he was related to Herbert Macaulay, the celebrated Lagos engineer and nationalist, who would later play a role in one of Thomas’s most enduring achievements, the building of Ẹbùn House.
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Thomas’s success symbolized the growing confidence of Africans who entered professions once reserved for Europeans. In a period when few indigenous businessmen were granted official licenses or recognition, his position as an auctioneer marked him as a pioneer.
Ẹbùn House: A Monument of Grace
In 1913, Andrew Wilkinson Thomas commissioned a magnificent residence in the Olowogbowo district of Lagos Island. The house, named Ẹbùn House, meaning grace or gift in Yoruba, became one of the city’s architectural landmarks.
The project brought together talented minds of the period. Herbert Macaulay served as the engineer and surveyor, while Balthazar dos Reis, an Afro-Brazilian craftsman, oversaw construction. Together, they created a masterpiece that reflected both European elegance and Yoruba pride.
Ẹbùn House rose above the narrow streets of old Lagos with tall verandas, arched windows, and decorative ironwork that caught the tropical light. It was not merely a residence but a statement of identity, a home that blended African artistry with modern design.
The building stood as a symbol of success and self-belief for a generation of Lagosians who proved that Africans could thrive in business, architecture, and civic life. To this day, Ẹbùn House remains one of the most recognized symbols of early Yoruba achievement in Lagos.
A Family of Legacy
Beyond his accomplishments as an auctioneer and property owner, Andrew Wilkinson Thomas was also a devoted family man. He married and raised children in Lagos, passing on the values of education, diligence, and leadership.
His most famous descendant, Chief Olabode “Bode” Thomas (1919–1953), would become one of Nigeria’s most prominent nationalist politicians and lawyers. Bode co-founded the Action Group political party and served as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation before independence.
Those who knew the younger Thomas often remarked that his confidence and discipline came from his father, a man who combined Yoruba principles with a clear vision of progress. Andrew Wilkinson Thomas’s home became a gathering place for friends, professionals, and family, a center of warmth and hospitality in colonial Lagos.
The Enduring Spirit of a Pioneer
Andrew Wilkinson Thomas passed away in 1924, leaving behind a family whose influence would extend far into Nigeria’s future. His life tells the story of courage, intelligence, and ambition in a time when few Africans were recognized for their achievements.
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Through his success in business, his partnership with great minds like Herbert Macaulay, and the creation of Ẹbùn House, he left a lasting mark on the social and cultural landscape of Lagos. His story is not only that of one man’s rise but also a testament to the Yoruba people’s determination to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Today, his name endures in both architectural memory and national history. The merchant who built a house of grace stands remembered as a pioneer of African enterprise, a man whose footsteps helped shape the modern identity of Lagos.
Author’s Note
Andrew Wilkinson Thomas represents the enduring spirit of Yoruba ambition in the colonial age. His life bridges the world of traditional commerce and modern entrepreneurship, and his legacy continues through the historic walls of Ẹbùn House and the public service of his family. His story remains a proud chapter in the making of Lagos.
References
Face2Face Africa – The Story of Bode Thomas, the Iconic Nigerian Lawyer
A. Teriba, Architecture, Freedom and Professional Societies in Brazil in the 18th and 19th Centuries (ASAI Publication)
De Gruyter Brill – Afro-Brazilians’ Architecture and Societal Aims in Colonial West Africa
New Telegraph NG – Alaafin Adeyemi, Bode Thomas, Tinubu and the Oonirisa
