11 Critical Reasons You Shouldn’t Live in Victoria Island (VI), Lagos in 2023
Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Victoria Island!
Victoria Island, Lagos is one of the most expensive places to live in Nigeria as of 2023
There is absolutely no mince of words when popularly attributed as a neighbourhood for a select few.
Anyone living on Victoria Island in Lagos is expected to have a substantially good amount of cash flow coming in either on a monthly basis, a weekly basis, or a daily.
Else, the living experience might turn out more of a nightmare, than a blessing.
Aside from the income bracket, experience has taught me that not all neighbourhoods are for everybody, everyone is different in taste and choices.
The reason we compiled this comprehensive breakdown of everything you should know before buying a house or moving to Victoria Island (VI) – bear with me, I would be using these words interchangeably.
Let’s start with the bad side!
11 Critical Reasons You Shouldn’t Live in Victoria Island (VI), Lagos in 2023
- High Cost of Living: Home doesn’t necessarily mean living in the most expensive neighbourhood, it is where you find peace and rest.
An average service charge alone for a house in Victoria Island costs between 2 million and 6 million naira, depending on the services offered.
Exception of Chicken Republic, most of the eateries are not cheap either, and you’ll scarcely find a roadside vendor except in suburban areas.
- Insufficient Road Signage: As insignificant as it might seem, it is a serious concern.
If you’re driving in Victoria Island for the first time, there is an 80% chance that you will run into the mistake of using one way, and that alone is a serious traffic concern that may likely cost you spending money you never budgeted for.
By the way, the authorities are always on guard waiting for defaulters. LOL
- High Cost in Housing: As earlier mentioned, Victoria Island is not an estate for the 1% few for no reason.
An average one-bedroom apartment costs 2.5 million naira and can get as high as 12 million depending on the taste, notwithstanding affiliated charges.
By the way, an average job in Lagos pays 100k – 200k as a monthly salary. Imagine if you’re earning a 100k salary monthly, LOL
- Risk of Flooding: Concerns have been raised over the years about the possibility of water overflowing the banks and leading to flooding in the area.
But in the end, though, is life itself not a risk? Why spend your entire life, avoiding one? Winks.
- Highly Commercial: A major part of Victoria Island is covered by commercial activities. However, there is the residential axis, to make up for the quiet and serenity.
- Traffic Congestion: The early mornings and early evenings are usually congested. If you’re impatient around traffic, then you might consider channeling your appointments before or after the surge.
- Noise Pollution: As would be expected of a commercial location, Victoria Island can somewhat turn out noisy.
Except living in a well-planned, serene neighbourhood within the residential zone. Then you might be at risk of noise pollution. Notwithstanding the incessant noise from car horns disrupting your sleep in the early mornings.
- Undue Pressure: If you’re not financially stable, I advise, don’t move to VI yet.
While the neighbourhood might be tempting to resist, just like Lekki Phase 1. It comes with a subtle push to want to outstretch and fund a lifestyle beyond one’s immediate capacity.
Life is in stages, it only makes sense to honour our growth!
- Fun is Expensive: Unlike the middle-class divide like Ajah, it is expensive to have fun and proper nightlife in VI
From the beach, bar, nightclub, fine dining, and everything interesting. They don’t come cheap.
- It’s Quiet and Reserved: As is common in high-brow neighbourhoods, there’s an 80% that you may never see your next-door neighbour talk more about making friends.
If you’re a person who does not very much enjoy living in isolation and solitude, then you might want to consider moving in with or inviting, friends and families over, from time to time.
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How is Victoria Island in 2023?
Aside from the exceptionally beautiful houses that seem to be leaving the market rapidly every day, by the fast and furious buyers, LOL. VI is still seating pretty, housing the best and most beautiful houses in Lagos.
Which Local Government is Victoria Island?
Victoria Island is a place under Eti-Osa Local Government, of Lagos, Nigeria.
Where is Victoria Island in Lagos?
Victoria Island is located between the Lekki Phase 1 and the Lagos Island.
Is Victoria Island an Island?
An island is a place surrounded by water, and Victoria Island is surrounded by water, so yes! Victoria Island is an island.
Is Victoria Island in Lagos Island?
Yes, Victoria Island is within the Lagos Island.
Who is Victoria Island named after?
Victoria Island is named after the then-queen of England.
Is Victoria Island Before Lekki?
Depending on where you’re coming from. If you’re coming from Ajah, Victoria Island is after Lekki Phase 1.
But if you’re coming from the Lagos mainland, Victoria Island is after Lekki
Where is Victoria Island Located in Lagos?
Victoria Island is located within the Lagos Island divide, in Lagos.
Is Victoria Island Lagos, Safe?
Yes, absolutely. Victoria Island is safe and one of the safest neighbourhoods to live in Lagos.
Is Victoria Island worth visiting?
Depending on the reason you’re visiting, Victoria Island is surrounded by amazing fun activities, beaches, and luxury hotels.
So, yes! Victoria Island is definitely worth visiting.
Is Victoria Island in Lekki?
No, Victoria Island is not in Lekki. Lekki is an entirely different area from Victoria Island. However, they do share close proximity.
Is Victoria Island a City in Lagos?
Yes, Victoria Island is a City in Lagos.
Why is Victoria Island Called Victoria Island?
Victoria Island is called Victoria Island because it was named after the then-queen of England.
How big is Victoria Island?
Victoria Island sits on over 100,000 SQMs of land.
Can you Stay in Victoria Island without a Car?
Yes, you absolutely can live in Victoria Island without a car. Before the Lagos ban, tricycles and motorcycles were the major alternatives.
Currently, however, there are bus shuttles as well as cab-hailing companies like Uber, Bolt, Indriver, and Rider for more convenience.
Distance from Victoria Island to Ajah
Depending on the means of transportation of choice, if using public transportation, all you have to do is get to the express and stop any bus of choice, they would take you directly to Ajah.
If using a cab, all you have to do is log in to the precise address you’re going in Ajah and the GPS will direct you.
The distance from Victoria Island to Island is about 30mins without traffic and about 2 hours depending on the length of the congestion.
Distance from Victoria Island to Lekki
Victoria Island is not far from Lekki Phase 1. Victoria Island and Lekki are within a 5mins drive distance from each other.
Distance from Victoria Island to Apapa
Victoria Island is slightly far from Apapa and the traffic congestion in Apapa isn’t even helpful.
Depending on the length of the traffic, the precise area in Apapa, and the time of traveling, going to Apapa from Victoria Island might take as much as an hour to one month. LOL just teasing. Between an hour and 5 hours.
Victoria Island to Oshodi
Victoria Island and Oshodi are slightly far apart. Going to Oshodi from Victoria Island would take about an hour’s drive distance, depending on the traffic situation.
Victoria Island to Festac
Victoria Island is within an hour’s drive from the Lagos Airport without traffic and about 2hours or more with traffic.
Vitoria Island to Lagos Airport
If you’re leaving Victoria Island for the airport, it’s often advisable to leave to avoid traffic congestion.
Victoria Island is within an hour’s drive from the Lagos Airport without traffic and about 2hours or more with traffic.
History of Victoria Island, Lagos
The history of Victoria Island can be traced back to 1948 when it all started.
A large part of the Island was originally part of the jurisdiction of the Oniru chieftaincy family of Lagos with tenants inhabiting the land.
In 1948, the Lagos Executive Development Board paid 250,000 pounds as compensation for the land acquired from the Oniru family and an additional 150,000 pounds as compensation for the inhabitants and shrines destroyed.
The inhabitants were later resettled at Maroko village.
Victoria Island was originally surrounded entirely by water. It was bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the south, the mouth of the Lagos Lagoon on the West, the Five Cowrie Creek to the North, and swamps on the East.
The colonial government began the process of filling in the eastern swamps to reduce mosquito breeding areas.
This created a land bridge between Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula ending its existence as a true island.[3]
After independence, successive state governments expanded this development, culminating in the construction of a highway connecting Victoria Island to Epe.
This activity, along with the rapid commercialization of Victoria Island, served to stimulate residential development along the Lekki-Epe corridor, starting with Lekki Phase 1.
The area of the land bridge, composed of the former swampland, became a large slum called Maroko Town which housed many of the new migrants to Lagos State.
Residents of the Island complained about this problem, leading the military Governor of the State, Raji Rasaki, to forcibly remove the residents on 14 July 1990, resulting in numerous injuries.
Governor Rasaki and his armed security forces caused the eviction of as many as 300,000 residents, some of whom had legal title to their property.
This new area was established after the evictions and was called Victoria Island Annex. It was cleared and sold to residential buyers.
Subsequent reclamation expanded the area to the extent that Victoria Island Annex is now connected to the Lekki Peninsula. This new, enlarged area is referred to as “Oniru Estate” after the ruling family of the area.
Originally designated an upscale residential area, failing infrastructure and overcrowding in the old business district on Lagos Island and lax zoning enforcement in Victoria Island led to a mass migration of businesses over the last twenty-five years.
Today, Victoria Island is one of Nigeria’s busiest centres of banking and commerce, with most major Nigerian and international corporations headquartered on the Island.
The Island has continued to rapidly develop and along with Ikoyi, is a favourite spot for Nigerians and foreigners to live and play.
However, the influx of banks and other commercial ventures has changed the formerly serene atmosphere of the Island.
Longtime residents complain about the increase in traffic and influx of street traders who cater to local bank employees and businessmen.
A new project being developed by the Chagoury Group includes the Eko Atlantic City, located next to Victoria Island. The project is being built on reclaimed land that has been lost to coastal erosion.
In 2021, as the demand for upscale Apartments/Condos is increasing in Victoria Island, a new development by Periwinkle Condos Limited a sister company of Periwinkle Residences Limited launched an Exclusive and Premium project called Atlantis City Towers at the heart of Victoria Island, on Bishop Aboyade Cole Street.
Economy
The Access Bank tower, Victoria Island
Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank plc have their headquarters on the island, Halliburton and IBM operate offices on Victoria Island.
Maroko Town Demolition
The displaced former residents of Maroko Town have pursued redress within the Nigerian justice system, without success.
In 2008, a human rights organization, Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC), filed a complaint with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on behalf of the Moroko people.
Activists and displaced Maroko residents continue to hold Maroko Remembrance Day each year on 14 July.
Diplomatic Missions
Victoria Island hosts most of the diplomatic presence in Lagos, many of which were previously the embassies to Nigeria prior to the move of the capital to Abuja.
The now consulates, embassy branch offices, or Deputy High Commissions on Victoria Island include Benin, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Education
The British International School Lagos, and the Lycée Français Louis Pasteur de Lagos are on Victoria Island. Also located on Victoria Island is the American International School of Lagos.
