Lagos’s history reflects a rich tapestry of culture, political transformation and civic leadership. The Eyo Festival, rooted in Yoruba tradition, remains one of Nigeria’s most iconic cultural expressions. The life of Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, a senior army officer who died during Nigeria’s first military coup in January 1966, reveals the deep tensions of the post‑independence state. The governance of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Lagos State’s first civilian governor, showcases transformative urban leadership in Nigeria’s most populous city. Each narrative offers insight into Lagos’s evolving identity.
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Eyo Festival and Lagos Cultural Heritage
The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is a traditional Yoruba festival unique to Lagos Island. Historically, it was held to escort the soul of a departed Oba or chief to the afterlife and to mark significant civic occasions involving leadership transitions. Its origins are rooted in practices that date back to at least the mid‑19th century, with the first recorded procession in February 1854 commemorating Oba Akitoye. The festival links Lagos’s indigenous spiritual traditions with its civic life, illustrating how ritual observance serves social and communal purposes.
In the festival, participants known as Eyo masquerades wear flowing white garments, wide‑brimmed hats, and carry ceremonial staffs known as opambata. They move through designated routes on Lagos Island to the Tafawa Balewa Square, accompanied by singing, drumming and dance. Contemporary editions of the festival have evolved into cultural celebrations that also attract tourists and dignitaries, while maintaining their spiritual significance.
The 2025 Eyo Festival was notable for honouring four eminent Lagos personalities whose contributions shaped the state’s history and development: the first military governor of Lagos State, Brigadier‑General Mobolaji Johnson, the first civilian governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Chief Michael Otedola, and Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This edition marked the festival’s return after an eight‑year hiatus, underscoring its enduring cultural importance.
The continued staging of the Eyo Festival reflects Lagos’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, offering a living link between past and present, and highlighting the role of tradition in contemporary civic life.
Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari and the January 1966 Coup
Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari was a senior officer in the Nigerian Army and commander of the 2nd Brigade, Apapa, Lagos at the time of the 15 January 1966 military coup. The January 1966 coup was a pivotal event in Nigeria’s history that ended the First Republic and ushered in military rule. Rebel soldiers led by officers such as Kaduna Nzeogwu and Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna attempted to overthrow the civilian government, resulting in the deaths of senior political leaders and military personnel.
Maimalari’s early military career included service with the Royal West Africa Frontier Force and training at the Regular Officers Training School, Teshie, Ghana, and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. During the post‑colonial period, he became an influential figure in the Nigerian Army, and by 1966 he held one of the most senior command positions in the force.
On the morning of 15 January 1966, as coup plotters moved to seize key centres of power, the Federal Guards Brigade, led by Major Donatus Okafor, approached Maimalari’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. Though initially able to evade capture, he was subsequently found and killed by troops commanded by Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, who was serving as his brigade major and was involved in the coup plan. The details of his death illustrate the complex and violent nature of the coup and the betrayal experienced by senior officers caught up in the unfolding events.
The January 1966 coup had profound consequences for Nigeria’s political trajectory, leading to prolonged periods of military governance, ethnic tensions, and, ultimately, the Nigerian Civil War. Maimalari’s death is a significant moment in that history, symbolising the fragility of Nigeria’s early post‑independence institutions.
Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande and Civic Leadership
Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (1929–2021) was a journalist and politician who became the first civilian governor of Lagos State when he was elected in 1979 on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform. His administration focused on addressing urban challenges and expanding public services for the state’s growing population. Jakande’s background in journalism included editorial leadership roles before he entered politics.
As governor, Jakande introduced free primary and secondary education, significantly expanded the state’s educational infrastructure, established the Lagos State University, and promoted welfare programmes targeting the poor. His government constructed over 30,000 housing units, developed health facilities, and reorganised local government structures to improve service delivery. Many of these reforms are still acknowledged as foundational to Lagos’s social infrastructure.
Jakande also initiated a metroline project to enhance public transport, demonstrating his vision for urban planning beyond piecemeal interventions. His tenure ended in December 1983 when a military coup dissolved Nigeria’s Second Republic, but his legacy continues to influence civic discourse on governance and public service delivery.
Legacy and Contemporary Significance
Today, the Eyo Festival remains a powerful cultural symbol that expresses Lagos’s historical continuity and identity. It bridges indigenous ritual practice with modern civic ceremony, contributing to cultural preservation and tourism. The festival’s revival after eight years highlights its ongoing relevance to Lagosians and visitors alike.
The story of Brigadier Maimalari serves as a reminder of Nigeria’s complex political history and the challenges of nation‑building in a plural society. His life and death are integral to understanding the dynamics of military intervention in governance.
Alhaji Jakande’s leadership left a lasting imprint on public education, housing and urban governance in Lagos. His policies demonstrated how civic authority could prioritise inclusive development amid rapid urbanisation.
Lagos’s history, from the cultural significance of the Eyo Festival to the political upheaval of the 1966 coup and the impactful leadership of Lateef Jakande, illustrates the city’s dynamic journey. These stories of tradition and leadership remind readers of the values that define Lagos’s past and continue to influence its future.
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Author’s Note
This article presents accounts of Lagos’s cultural heritage and political history. It highlights how the Eyo Festival honours tradition, how Brigadier Maimalari’s death marked a turning point in Nigerian politics, and how Jakande’s governance transformed public services in Lagos. These themes reflect Lagos’s resilience, diversity and evolving identity through time.
References
- Africanews report on the 2025 Eyo Festival revival.
- Independent and Vanguard coverage of the Eyo Festival honours.
