From Rural to Urban Community: Historicizing Colonial Legacy, Indigenous Initiatives and the Transformation of Ikorodu Metropolis, Lagos, 1894-1999

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Date
2020-03
Authors
Aworawo, F
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Publisher
University College of the North, Canada
Abstract
The enduring impact of colonial administration and indigenous initiatives, as well as the phenomenon of migration and settlement patterns, have been one of the most important factors influencing urbanization and the transformation of Ikorodu metropolis of Lagos. Indeed, colonial legacy and the increase in migrant settlers in Ikorodu, occasioned by a combination of socio-political and economic activities of the various Nigerian groups that settled in Ikorodu, have gradually and steadily contributed to the transformation of the metropolis from a mere farmland and fishing centre of the early twentieth century Textire #1 Rebecca Matheson 106 Vol. 12.2 (March 2020) the quint : an interdisciplinary quarterly from the north 107 to an enviable city of tremendous opportunities. It is against this background that this article examines the nature, pattern and impact of colonial, post-colonial and how development and proximity of Ikorodu to Lagos contributed toward the transformation of the area. Building on the existing literature, this article presents fresh perspective on the transformation of city, which has been largely neglected on the historiography of Lagos while adopting the distinctive historical research methodology and using a style of presentation is both descriptive and analytical. It also analyses the challenges militating against total and effective transformation of Ikorodu during this period. This paper maintains that the colonial legacy was a precursor to the transformation of Ikorodu and concludes with some recommendations regarding effective collaboration between government and private initiatives to address inadequate infrastructures in order to sustain the progress already achieved in this area of Lagos.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Colonial legacy , Ikorodu , Rural , Lagos , Transformation , migration , Research Subject Categories::HUMANITIES and RELIGION::History and philosophy subjects
Citation
Aworawo, F. (2020).From Rural to Urban Community: Historicizing Colonial Legacy, Indigenous Initiatives and the Transformation of Ikorodu Metropolis, Lagos, 1894-1999. The Quint vol.12.no2 pp105-131