The history of Epe town in Lagos, Nigeria, is a very fascinating one because Epe played an important role before the colonial era, during colonization and has also grown to be a major local government in Lagos since Nigeria gained independence.
Epe town was used as the major trade center by the colonial masters during the transatlantic slave trade because of the proximity of Epe to Lekki, Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. One other thing that made Epe stand out during this period is that the people of Epe are very skilled at making shafts and boats to navigate the lagoon.
History of Epe town in Lagos
In this article, we’ll go over the history of Epe town in Lagos, Nigeria, from when it was created, conquered by the colonial master, added to Lagos colony, and is now a major talk of the century.
Origin and founding of Epe town
In the beginning, before the town was called Epe, it was originally known as “Igbo Obo,” which simply means “forest of monkeys” or “monkey forest.” This forest was first visited by a hunter called Uraka or Urankaloye, who came to this part of the world in search of animals that he could hunt.
When Uraka arrived in the territory, he was directed by his gods to move towards the south of the region. After crossing multiple rivers and towns, which include Iterin, Etita, Poka and eventually Igbo Obo, he eventually settled at a place called Oko Eepe, which is the modern-day site of Lagos State University and technology.
The first settlers in Epe town
Peeta, who was Uraka’s wife, played a major role in the naming of Epe after Oko Eepe. Uraka and his wife, Peeta, were the first settlers in Epe.
When Uraka and his wife settled in Oko Eepe, they met some fishermen in the region named Opute, Lugbasa, Alaro, and Ogunmodede. Alaro and Ogunmodede later became deities and are still worshipped to this day.
This was the early formation of Epe Town. Epe was peaceful and easy-going until there was a local tribal war in the town in 1848. In 1851, after the Makun-Omi-Epe war, King Kosoko arrived in the region with 1500 followers after being sent into exile from his own town called Eko (Lagos).
When Kosoko arrived in Epe, he was welcomed after much deliberation. In appreciation for the Epe people, he gave one of his daughters to an Ijebu chief in Epe, who eventually gave birth to Adenusi, whose genealogies still exist in Epe to date.
After Kosoko left Epe, some of his followers remained in the town and formed the bulk of what is known today as Epe Eko. During this period, Islam was also spreading very fast in the region. Islam was brought to Epe by a slave from Katsina called Mohammed Audu in 1852, who converted the majority of Kosoko’s followers.
Colonial Era: The conquering of Epe town
In 1892, the British took over the town of Epe after conquering the Ijebu people, who controlled the region at the time. After the British took over Epe under the rule of the then Governor of Lagos, Sir Gilbert Carter, Epe was added to the Lagos colony from 1892 to 1894.
The colonial master used Epe town as the central location for commerce and trade, mainly because the Epe people knew how to make shafts for moving around the lagoon.
The primary occupation of the Epe people was fish farming and agriculture. All these qualities, combined with the fact that Epe was closer to the Atlantic, made the conquered town the best location for the British to finalize commercial trade.
Post-Independence: Developments in Epe
After Nigeria gained independence and the slave trade stopped, the people of Epe went back to their normal occupations, which are fish farming and agriculture. In modern Epe, there is a popular location called the Epe fish market.
Epe has since developed to be one of the best locations for the real estate market. Currently, there are two mega projects ongoing in the region, which are the Dangote oil refinery and the Lekki free trade zone.
There has also been some huge infrastructural development done in the region by the Lagos State Government in a bid to improve the standard of living in the town and also attract potential businesses and investors.
Popular landmarks in Epe
Popular landmarks in Epe include the Lekki free trade zone, Dangote oil refinery, Alaro city, $100 million film city, Augustine University, Epe fish market, Lagos State College of Education, Epe resort and spa, Epe general hospital, proposed seaport, and the proposed new Lagos international airpot.
The future of Epe
Epe has been developing at a very fast pace and is now being regarded as the new oil well, primarily because of all the major and minor developments ongoing in the region. Epe is now a major hub for real estate investors and brokers.
The return on investment of lands and property in Epe is currently 50% to 100% annually, and it is expected to go as high as 500% in a few more years.
This simple analysis explains the reason multiple luxury real estate projects are currently being developed in the region.
The best you can do now is to own a few plots of land in some of the developing luxury real estate projects. You can get a plot of land for as little as a five hundred thousand naira initial deposit and even spread the payment over six to twelve months.
If you’d love to take part in the future and development of Epe by acquiring few plots of land, click the link below to get started
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History of Epe town in Lagos – History of Epe town in Lagos – History of Epe town in Lagos – History of Epe town in Lagos – History of Epe town in Lagos – History of Epe town in Lagos – History of Epe town in Lagos
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of Epe?
Epe was previously called Oko Eepe and was renamed Epe by Peeta, the wife of Uraka, a hunter from Ile Ife, who came there in search of animals. His first stop was Poka and then Igbo Obo before settling in Oko Eepe alongside some fishermen. Islam came to the region after Oba Kosoko came there in exile with his followers.
What is the major occupation in Epe?
Fish farming is the major occupation in Epe, which can be traced back to their ancestors, Opute, Lugbasa, Alaro, and Ogunmodede, who were the pioneers of the occupation. Alaro and Ogunmodede are now deities in the town.
How did Epe become part of Lagos?
Epe was added to the Lagos colony in 1862 after the British conquered the Ijebu-Ode people who were occupying the region at the time.
What does Epe mean?
Epe was originally called Oko Eepe which means “farm of black ants,” and was located in a region called Igbo Obo, meaning “forest of monkeys.”
