As Lagos’ urban sprawl continues to reshape its prime districts, one monarch is ensuring that spiritual life keeps pace with development.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, CON, Abisogun II, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, this week commissioned a newly rebuilt Central Mosque in the heart of Oniru Estate to serve a growing congregation. The unveiling also marked the Oba’s fifth year on the throne.
“When I ascended the throne, and each time I came here, I noticed that the mosque was no longer big enough,” the monarch said during the commissioning ceremony. “Considering the urbanization and development within the Oniru Estate, it could not accommodate the growing congregation. So, I decided to rebuild it, and it can now conveniently accommodate 300 worshippers.”
The Oniru Estate, located off Victoria Island and one of Lagos’ fastest-developing zones, has seen a sharp rise in residential and commercial activity over the past few years, bringing with it an increasingly diverse and expanding population. The demand for improved community infrastructure, including spaces of worship, has followed closely behind.
The revamped mosque, now featuring modern facilities, larger prayer halls and contemporary design elements, aims to meet these new realities.
At the commissioning, community members, religious leaders, and estate residents praised the initiative, calling it a welcome response to the area’s changing needs.
The Oniru monarch used the moment to highlight his broader vision: ensuring that as the estate modernizes, its cultural and spiritual life remains grounded and inclusive.
As Lagos continues its transformation into a regional business hub, community investments such as the Oniru Central Mosque remind residents that in the rush to build upward, the foundations of faith and community must not be left behind.