The Clooper Guide To Lekki
Lekki is the hub of finesse, fine dining, and home to modern accommodation and fast-evolving real estate in Lagos, Nigeria. Currently, one of Lagos’ most sought-after locations!
Lekki is home to cool spots, acclaimed restaurants, scores of businesses, upscale boutiques and beaches.
If you want to live in a neighbourhood that is surrounded by water, beaches, scenic beauty, a good road network, and a diverse range of entertainment, this is the place to be.
Lagos is broadly divided into two main areas: The Mainland and The Island. On the mainland, Ikeja and Yaba are two main popular areas, while on the island, places to visit include Lekki, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi.
Lekki has become home to a whole lot of people, especially those leaving the mainland to own a piece of the new Lagos via short-term rentals, long-term rentals or outright property ownership. Every day here, there are new places to buy or rent. Real property along this axis has been described as ‘gold’.
PROPERTIES AND PRICES
TO BUY
Lekki is currently a very desirable location. This is obvious in the prices to buy or rent a property in this area. When you consider that Lekki is in close proximity to even more highly sought-after locations like Ikoyi and Victoria Island, you’ll understand why prices are climbing every day.
Single-bedroom apartments in Lekki Phase 1 can average at N45,000,000.
TO RENT
Owning a property or two in Lekki as a landlord is the new gold.
Renting in Lekki is becoming increasingly popular as the area attracts more head offices and upscale businesses, as well as young citizens and their families.
The annual rent for a studio apartment can start at N1,800,000, exclusive of service charges, diesel deposits, and agency and legal fees. Small one-bedroom apartments can set you back N2,500,000 per year. This is exclusive of fees, while flat shares (as terrace houses, duplexes, and other properties sublet) can start as low as N1,200,000, depending on nearby amenities, the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and other factors.
People currently refer to this axis as “the new Lagos,” and everyone seems to want a piece of it!
TO STAY
Luxury serviced apartments in Lekki Phase 1 and surrounding areas can start at N64,000 per night. You can browse through some of our professionally managed properties here.
THINGS TO DO
Aside from living here, there are other things to do. There are numerous beaches and landmarks to visit. If you enjoy nature, the arts, fine dining, or generally love sightseeing, there are things to do in and around your neighbourhood.
Lekki Conservation Centre
Lekki Conservation Centre, also known as LCC, is a 78-hectare (190-acre) natural resource conservation facility in Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria. The Lekki Peninsula is home to this reserve area. It safeguards the Lekki Peninsula’s wetlands, which include swamp and savannah habitats.
The Centre was founded in 1990 to serve as an environmental education centre as well as a biodiversity conservation icon. The Chevron Corporation built the facility for the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) as a safe haven for the Lekki Peninsula’s diverse flora and fauna.
There are ongoing efforts to save endangered animal, reptile, and birdlife species such as bushbucks, crocodiles, mona monkeys, squirrels, snakes, crocodiles, monitor lizards, duikers, giant rats, and hogs from extinction.
A large wetland area set aside for wildlife viewing leads up to the reserve, which is abundant in plant and animal life. You can cross the waterways using hiking trails and stepping stones. The swamp outlook, bird hide, rest stops, and tree house are among the trail’s side attractions.
There is also a tree house, a twenty-one-meter-high tree platform from which to view the picnic area, reserve, visitor’s centre, and children’s playground among the trees. The bird hide overlooks a swamp/marsh that is home to crocodiles and monitor lizards.
Visitors can see animals such as monkeys, crocodiles, snakes, and various birds from the elevated walkways. Park rangers are available as guides to help curate a memorable visit.
The Lekki Conservation Centre has Africa’s longest canopy walkway.
Lekki Arts & Crafts Market
This is a market for those who enjoy arts, carvings, painting, and beadwork. The Lekki Arts & Crafts Market is located off the famous Lekki-Epe expressway. About 20 minutes from Victoria Island.
The craft market is very organized, with at least 60 mini-stores selling everything from carvings to metalwork to corals to painting to pearls and much more.
A great tip is to shop from vendors like a local to get a non-touristy price!
Nike Art Center
The Nike Art Gallery is Nigeria’s most prominent art gallery.
The Lagos Gallery, located in Lekki, is a four-story building that houses an art gallery as well as a textile museum with over 7,000 pieces. On-site, there is also a coffee shop.
This foremost gallery, owned by Chief Nike Davies Okundaye, is ranked first on Trip Advisor’s list of top places to visit in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Beach and More Beaches & Resorts
Lagos is home to beaches. Landmark Beach, Atican Beach, Eleko Beach, Tarkwa Bay, resorts like Jara and more. You will find beaches in Victoria Island, the Lekki-Epe Expressway, and other areas of this coastal city. From privately managed ones to public ones, you will never not see a beach for your pleasure.
Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate
It is well-known for its waterfront living. If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos, Lakowe Lakes is a safe haven. The resort features a beautiful 18-hole golf course and luxury resort amenities. Visit Jara Resort as well to unwind and get away from the Lagos hustle.
Amenities
Lekki is located near Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and the fast-developing Epe (waterways), so it is safe to say that it is centralised on the island. This means that you can find anything you need in minutes, such as malls, supermarkets, and gyms.
Take a walk or run on the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, which connects Lekki Phase 1 to Ikoyi’s heart in minutes.
You will find high-end boutiques at the Lekki Palms Mall. Among the brands available are Mango, Pandora, Lacoste, Nike, Swatch, Hugo Boss, MAC Cosmetics, PUMA, Adidas, etc. There are ice creameries, cafes, restaurants, a movie theatre, LEGO, and so many others, as well as amenities.
Depending on your preferences and budget, there are numerous malls, gyms, lounges, and seaside food and cocktail courts around Lekki as well. Lekki is certainly living at its finest where you’re in choice or developed areas.
Travel
Lekki is connected to Victoria Island via the Lekki Toll and Ikoyi (and directly to the mainland) through the Lekki-Ikoyi toll on Admiralty Way. To get around, there are public buses and taxis.
If you prefer a less stressful mode of transportation, you can use Uber, Bolt, or LagRide, as well as any other registered app. You can also drive. Commercial bikes, which were once another mode of transportation on the island, have now been banned.
Education
Living in Lekki provides its own educational opportunities, as there are good schools in and around the area that are easily accessible.
So, if you’re looking to relocate your family or enrol your children in good schools in the area, here are some good recommendations for nursery, primary, and secondary schools that offer A levels.
Greensprings School
New Hall International School
Lekki British International School
Chrisland Schools Lekki
Meadow Hall School
Caleb British International School.
Dowen College
Lagoon School Lekki
Pinefield International School Lekki
Looking to explore? Book an apartment here.
Featured Image: The Trent
