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September 15, 2025 by Our Reporter
Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board has said it will inaugurate Remembrance Arcade and Independence Garden next month.
Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, Managing Director, Lucia Shittu, said the initiative, which coincides with Independence Day, is part of the effort to restore TBS as a national heritage site and tourism hub.
Shittu noted the redesigned site would be a premier tourist destination, offering varying experiences for visitors.
The managing director said Lafarge Africa will complete the first phase of the redevelopment.
She added beyond the park and arcade, TBS will integrate e-sports, skills hub, and others for youths.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said restoration of the Independence site demonstrates the administration’s resolve to cultural renewal and national development.
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“Nigeria will be hosting the International African Trade Fair (IATF) in 2027, and this marks the beginning of the transformation in Lagos State, especially with improvements in infrastructure and facilities at the National Theatre. This is a foretaste of more to come, ahead of IATF,” she said.
Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said upon completion of the rehabilitation to create an Independence Memorial Obelisk Garden, the site would be open to the public as a premier tourist attraction, adding to the vibrancy of Lagos.
With the project expected to be delivered by October 7, 2025, he said the first phase will focus on structural integrity, aesthetics, safety, and accessibility.
He explained: “The activities will involve a revamp of the monument while preserving the original design and texture; restoration of inscriptions, engravings, and symbolic carvings on the Obelisk; and rehabilitation of its immediate surroundings, including walkways, lawns, and paving. We will also install a drainage system and improved accessibility features, including ramps and pedestrian pathways.
“We take pride in this project because it is the preservation of Nigeria’s historical and cultural heritage, which should be passed down to future generations. It also allows us to promote sustainability and better living through the use of our eco-friendly cement products, which offer at least 30 per cent lower carbon emissions, thereby reducing environmental impact.”
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