On 26 September 1951, Abubakar Ibiyinka Olorun Nimbe was photographed stepping down from a ship at Apapa Port in Lagos. The image captures a calm, formal arrival at one of West Africa’s busiest harbours, a place where colonial officials, professionals, and travellers passed through daily. Over time, the photograph became closely associated with Olorun Nimbe’s public life, linking his personal journey to the broader story of Lagos during the late colonial era.
He would later be remembered for a distinction no other Lagosian has held, becoming the first and only Mayor of Lagos.
Growing Up in Colonial Lagos
Abubakar Olorun Nimbe was born in Lagos in 1908, when the city was firmly established as the political and commercial heart of colonial Nigeria. He was raised by his parents, Abdur Raham and Ramotu Olorun Nimbe, in a household shaped by faith, discipline, and engagement with community life.
His family background placed him within a generation of Lagos residents who believed education and public service were pathways to advancement. This environment helped shape his outlook, preparing him for a future that would combine professional achievement with civic responsibility.
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Education and Early Formation
His early education began with Qur’anic instruction, a foundation that emphasised moral discipline and learning. From there, he entered formal schooling and attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos, one of the most respected institutions in the region. He later studied at King’s College, Lagos, a school known for producing many of the professionals and administrators who shaped Nigeria’s early public life.
These institutions provided more than academic training. They instilled confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of duty toward society, qualities that would later define Olorun Nimbe’s public career.
Medical Training Abroad
In 1930, Olorun Nimbe travelled to Britain to study medicine at the University of Glasgow. At the time, this was a significant step that required academic excellence and determination. Few Nigerians of his generation had the opportunity to pursue advanced medical training overseas.
He completed his medical studies in 1938, qualifying as a doctor and surgeon. This achievement placed him among a small group of highly trained African professionals whose skills were in demand both within government service and private practice back home.
Service and Private Practice in Lagos
After returning to Nigeria in September 1938, Olorun Nimbe joined the colonial medical service as a Junior Medical Officer. His experience within government healthcare exposed him to the challenges of public medicine in a rapidly growing city.
By 1940, he moved into private practice and established Alafia Hospital in Lagos. The hospital became part of a wider network of African owned medical institutions that played an important role in meeting the health needs of Lagos residents. Through his work as a physician, Olorun Nimbe built a reputation grounded in service and professionalism.
Stepping Into Civic Leadership
As Lagos entered the post war period, civic life expanded and municipal institutions gained greater visibility. It was during this phase that Olorun Nimbe became involved in local governance. His professional standing and experience made him a respected figure within municipal circles.
He was appointed Mayor of Lagos, a title that existed briefly within the city’s administrative structure. While the office operated within clear limits, it represented the highest civic position available at the time. Olorun Nimbe’s tenure placed him at the centre of Lagos municipal life, overseeing council activities and representing the city in official capacities.
Role in the Legislative Council
In addition to his mayoral duties, Olorun Nimbe represented Lagos in the Legislative Council of Nigeria. This role connected municipal concerns with broader colonial governance, allowing him to participate in discussions that affected urban administration and public services.
Unlike more confrontational political figures of the era, Olorun Nimbe was known for a measured and professional approach. His leadership style reflected his background as a doctor, focused on order, responsibility, and institutional cooperation.
A Title That Ended With Him
The mayoral system in Lagos did not last. Administrative changes later reshaped city governance, and the title of Mayor of Lagos was not retained. As a result, Abubakar Olorun Nimbe remains the only individual ever to hold that position, giving his name a unique place in the city’s political history.
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Legacy at City Hall
Olorun Nimbe died in 1975, having lived through profound changes in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. His legacy remains visible today through the statue at the entrance of Lagos City Hall, a reminder of his service and the singular role he played in the city’s civic development.
His life reflects a moment in Lagos history when education, professional excellence, and public duty converged. He served as a healer, a civic leader, and a bridge between colonial administration and African participation in governance.
Author’s Note
Abubakar Olorun Nimbe’s story shows how lasting influence is often built quietly, through education, service, and responsibility. From hospital wards to City Hall, he left a mark defined not by noise, but by presence, becoming Lagos’s only mayor and a symbol of steady civic leadership.
References
National Archives of Nigeria, Lagos, Legislative Council Records and Municipal Governance Files.
University of Glasgow Archives, West African Medical Graduates, 1930 to 1938.
Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University, E. H. Duckworth Photographic Collection.
