....a tranquil refuge in the bustle of Lagos.
By: Dayo Adedayo
Tucked away like a secret gem on the fringes of Lagos lies a retreat so unexpected, it takes your breath away.
Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate is not just a resort, it is an oasis, a gentle escape from the familiar chaos that defines Nigeria’s economic capital.
For over a decade, it lingered in my heart like an unfulfilled promise. Despite my persistent attempts to document it, access remained elusive, until now. Perhaps, as I was once told, God's timing truly is the best.
My journey to Lakowe began with a simple conversation among two close friends. When I mentioned my desire to photograph the estate for my upcoming book, they both responded with cheerful spontaneity: “Let’s go together!” It was a spontaneous plan with perfect alignment, none of us had ever been.
Though I had once filmed the area from a helicopter back in 2009, before drones graced our skies, and witnessed the sandfilling and creation of the golf course, nothing could prepare me for what I saw when I finally set foot on the grounds.
Driving from Abraham Adesanya Junction, I was stunned to see a six-lane concrete highway under construction, cutting through the urban clutter straight toward Epe.
A project of this scale, led by the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, speaks to a vision that is shaping the future of Lagos. That road and the resort, both new to me, felt like discovering two buried treasures in a single day.
As we approached the resort, the transformation was immediate. One moment, you're surrounded by the familiar sprawl of cityscape; the next, you're immersed in a sea of green. The transition is so swift and surreal, it stirs something deep within. The Yoruba have a saying, “Irohin ko to afojuba, eni debe lo le so”, news can never compare to experience. And truly, no story could have prepared me for what awaited.
The resort welcomed us with open arms. From the pristine paths leading to the reception to the gracious staff and serene cottages, everything whispered calm.
Lakowe isn't just a place; it's a feeling. It gently pulls you away from the world and wraps you in quiet elegance.
What sets it apart isn't just its amenities, though those are spectacular. An 18-hole championship golf course winds through lush greenery, each hole spaced far apart to preserve the solitude of nature. Lakes shimmer beside fairways. Birds sing uninterrupted. It’s not unusual to spot monkeys swinging freely or stumble upon signs cautioning you about wildlife. This isn’t your average luxury resort, it’s a celebration of Nigeria’s raw, untamed beauty, carefully preserved within manicured sophistication.
Beyond the golf, there’s more to explore: tennis courts, swimming pools, fish ponds, and walking trails that seem to go on forever. We met foreigners celebrating a birthday, a refreshing reversal from the usual exodus of Nigerians to faraway lands for special occasions. This place, it turns out, is quietly redefining the idea of destination luxury, right here at home.
Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate is a gift to Lagos. It invites families, friends, and lovers of nature to reconnect, with themselves, with each other, and with the lnd. As I wandered through the estate, camera in hand, I kept thinking: this is the Nigeria we don’t talk about enough. The Nigeria that inspires. The Nigeria that is possible.
In a country too often defined by oil and gas, Lakowe reminds us of a different kind of wealth, of land, of beauty, of peace.
You'll find more about it in my upcoming books on Lagos State and Nigeria. But if you ask me, don’t just read about it. Experience it.
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