Iddo Island


Iddo Island is a district in Lagos Mainland LGA of Lagos. Opposite Lagos Island, Iddo used to be an island, but due to landfill, is now part of the rest of Lagos Mainland. Iddo Island is connected to Lagos Island by the Eko Bridge and the Carter Bridge. Prior to the landfill, Iddo was connected to the Lagos Mainland by the Denton Bridge, named after Sir George Chardin Denton, former Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Lagos. Iddo is home to the Lagos Terminus and was the first and only place in Nigeria to host a tram service - linking Lagos Island through Carter Bridge.

Overview

Lagos was annexed by the Oba of Benin in the sixteenth century on the site of an earlier Yoruba settlement, and was known as Eko. The rulers of Lagos since then have all descended from the Benin warrior Ashipa who was the first Governor of the town, while the land owning aristocracy are Yoruba who trace their lineage to Chief Olofin. Ashipa's son, Ado, built his palace on Lagos Island, and moved the seat of government to Lagos Island from Iddo island.