Wemabod Limited, a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), has officially broken ground on the transformation of the historic Obafemi Awolowo House into the state-of-the-art Awolowo Tech Mall in Ikeja, Lagos.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on July 16, 2025, along Obafemi Awolowo Way, was attended by top stakeholders including OICL Group Chairman Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman of Wemabod Engr. Nureni Oladipo Adisa, and the Managing Director of El-Salem Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Ben Gbade-Ojo — the development partner on the project.
Originally designed by Towry Coker Associates in 1978, the iconic Awolowo House has long stood as a symbol of modern commercial architecture in Nigeria. The building is now set to be reborn as a five-storey, 9,000-square-metre ultra-modern technology hub, catering to tech firms, startups, creatives, and service providers.
OICL chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, in his remarks, described the redevelopment as part of OICL’s broader vision to unlock the potential of legacy assets through innovation and strategic partnerships.
He also celebrated OICL’s recent corporate credit rating upgrade to Aa- by Agusto & Co., attributing the achievement to the Group’s strong governance and disciplined investment approach.
Also Chairman WEMBOD ,Engr Nureni Adisa emphasized the strategic value of the Ikeja location and the project’s alignment with Nigeria’s digital economy goals. “This project is more than a physical structure; it represents our commitment to driving Nigeria’s transition into a knowledge-driven economy,” he said.
Wemabod’s Managing Director Mr Bashir Oladuni highlighted the project’s alignment with Lagos State’s urban regeneration agenda and its role in reshaping Ikeja’s commercial ecosystem. “As we turn the first sod today, we are laying the foundation for innovation, opportunity, and a new era of commercial excellence,” he stated.
Delivering a keynote address, Mr. Ben Gbade-Ojo, MD of El-Salem Nigeria Ltd., described the A.T. Mall as a visionary project that honors the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo while positioning Lagos as a leading hub for digital innovation in West Africa.
“The A.T. Mall will be more than a marketplace — it will be a dynamic ecosystem for tech firms, creatives, entrepreneurs, and global brands. With world-class infrastructure and integrated lifestyle facilities, this mall is designed to foster innovation, growth, and sustainability,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Wemabod and Odu’a Group for their collaboration, and acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for promoting an enabling environment for technology-driven development.
The Awolowo Tech Mall, once completed, is expected to significantly boost commercial activity in the Ikeja Central Business District, stimulate youth entrepreneurship, and serve as a model for smart, sustainable development in Nigeria’s real estate sector.
