Our Story
THE ISLAND CLUB
The Island Club was founded on Friday, October 29th, 1943, by fifty eminent people. The composition of the founding fathers not only reflected multiple ethnic nationalities but also included non-Nigerians.
The Island Club was founded in the private residence of Mr. Ladipupo Odunsi, now deceased. Sir Adeyemo Alakija was the first elected chairman of the Island Club. The objective of the founding fathers was to promote good fellowship and inter-racial harmony.
The story of the colored Briton who was sent on official business to Nigeria from the then colonial office in London, U.K., and how he was denied previously reserved accommodation for him at the Bristol Hotel at Marphins Street upon arrival was a major landmark event that accentuated and emphasized the prominence of the Island Club.
The mobilization and protest march to Bristol Hotel by members of the Island Club not only jolted the colonial government in Nigeria and West Africa but reverberated all the way to the United Kingdom. The singular action led to the de-segregation of hitherto exclusive European space, including European quarters, hospitals, cricket clubs, etc.
The constitution of the club states that whoever is the Governor of Nigeria is the Grand Patron of the club. The late Sir Arthur Richards (later Lord Milnerton) was Governor of Nigeria and Patron of Island Club.
Before 1943, No. 5, King George V Road, Onikan, was government property that was previously used as the Officers Mess of the Royal West African Frontier Force, the predecessor of today’s Nigerian Army.
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth of England not only sent a congratulatory message but also financial contributions from members of Island Club. Arguably, the popularity of Island Club was at its highest post-independence level in Nigeria.
The club membership not only spans the 36 states of Nigeria but also transcends Nigeria with membership in many African countries, Europe, USA, and former USSR.
In October 1944, the Ladies Progressive Club was allowed to hold meetings in the reading room on Wednesday 5-7pm. The gesture was withdrawn barely four months later. No particular reason for the decision was recorded.
The idea of establishing a National Billiards and Snooker Board of Control was conceived at the Island Club in 1973 during a tournament sponsored by Nigerian Tobacco Company Limited. The Honorary Awards of the Island Club are hierarchically structured.
THE FOUNDING FATHERS
Bowen F.A., Denton H.C, OdunsiI L., Gbadamosi S.O (ALHAJI), Prest Arthur (CHIEF), Johnson Ojumiri I.E, Taylor-Cole R.O (DR.), Ojukwu Odunmegwu L.P, Williams I.E. Nelson, Bakarat A., Okoro D.O, Mbanefo L.N, Alakija Adeyemo (SIR), Alakija A.O, Abaka J.K, Omololu A., Thomas Stephen, Ojo J.A, Shackleford W. Wynter, Davies J. Henry, Ojo S. Ade, John Isaac, Biney W.H. (CHIEF), Randle J.K, Fox W.T, Gomez G.K, Taylor E.J. ALEX, During I.C, Azikiwe Nnamdi, Shorter R.B, Warman W.G, Reece C.W, Oluwole Ben (CHIEF), Winter J.F, Omololu O.A (DR.), Moore Eric O., Khalil M.EI., Pappas K., Abayomi A.O., Agidee M.F., Ikoli E.S., Howells A.W. (BISHOP), Savage G.P., Lijadu Ayo, Zarpas J.N, Savage R.A (DR.), Abayomi K.A (DR.), Jeffery E.L., Brown A., Avesathy G.H.
I have found valuable allies within the ranks of Island Club whenever we have had to promulgate new policies that have been for the greater good of Lagos State

Babatunde Raji Fashola, Former Governor of Lagos State