Ajegunle

Ajegunle, popularly known as "AJ City" or simply "AJ", is a neighbourhood located in the heart of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area of Lagos. Ajegunle in the Yoruba language means "A place where riches dwells."

It is bordered on the west by Apapa Wharf and Tincan, two of Nigeria's biggest sea ports through which over 70 percent of imported goods come into the country. Ajegunle has a population of about 550,000 residents from many of the ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The community was subject to the Ijaw/Ilaje conflict that became an inspiration for the album CRISIS, released in 2007 by African China.

The community took “The last national population census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006. It recorded a population of approximately 140 million people” . Since then, there has not been an updated official count, making the upcoming 2024 census the first in over 17 years.

This long gap between censuses has made it challenging for planners and policymakers to access accurate and up-to-date population data for development and resource allocation across the country .

Ajegunle, a densely populated suburb of Lagos, has experienced significant changes since 2008. Traditionally known for its challenges such as poverty, crime, and inadequate infrastructure, the community has nonetheless produced notable figures in Nigerian entertainment and sports, such as musicians and footballers. However, the area remains marked by underdevelopment despite the achievements of its people.

In recent years, Ajegunle has seen some degree of urban renewal. Investments from private individuals have led to the construction of modern buildings, hotels, and event centers, replacing older, dilapidated structures. This wave of development has been described as gentrification, with the influx of private capital transforming the community while also raising concerns about displacement and inadequate infrastructure planning .

On the social front, initiatives like Paradigm Initiative’s LIFE (Life Skills, ICTs, Financial Readiness, and Entrepreneurship) program have targeted youth empowerment and digital literacy. The program, which originated as Ajegunle.org, has helped youths from the community acquire relevant skills to improve their economic opportunities. The success of these programs has led to their expansion across other parts of Nigeria and Africa .

Despite these efforts, Ajegunle still faces many socio-economic issues, and residents express frustration over the lack of support from both government and well-off individuals with roots in the community. While the area remains a cultural hub, more systematic development efforts are needed to address its deep-rooted challenges

Notable people

Ajegunle has produced several notable footballers including Samson Siasia, former coach of the Nigeria national team, former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo, former Super Eagles defender Taribo West, Chinwendu Ihezuo of the Nigeria women's national team, and Emmanuel Amuneke, former African Footballer of the Year.

Musician Daddy Showkey also rose to fame there in the late 1990s.