Allen Avenue is the best-known commercial street in Ikeja, in Ikeja Local Government Area on the Lagos mainland. It runs from the Allen roundabout on Obafemi Awolowo Way to the junction where it meets Opebi Road and Toyin Street. The avenue is lined with banks, offices, shopping plazas, restaurants and hotels, and most of the homes are in blocks of flats on the side streets. Rents are in the middle of the Ikeja market, above Ogba and Oregun and well below Ikeja GRA.
Where Allen Avenue starts and ends
The Allen roundabout on Obafemi Awolowo Way is the starting point most people use. Obafemi Awolowo Way is the main road through central Ikeja, leading one way towards Alausa and the State Secretariat and the other towards Ikeja Under Bridge and Computer Village. Across the roundabout, Aromire Avenue continues towards Adeniyi Jones. From the roundabout, Allen Avenue runs as a dual carriageway to its far end, where it meets Opebi Road and Toyin Street. Opebi Road carries on towards Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, and Toyin Street loops back towards central Ikeja. Together, Allen, Opebi and Toyin form the commercial triangle of Ikeja.
For where Ikeja itself sits in Lagos, see is Ikeja mainland or island?
What is on Allen Avenue
The frontage is commercial from end to end. Nearly every major bank has a branch here, alongside insurance and finance companies, telecoms and travel offices, shopping plazas, phone, computer and electronics shops, boutiques, pharmacies, supermarkets, fast-food chains, restaurants, lounges and hotels. Most buildings are purpose-built plazas and office blocks of a few floors. The avenue is busy through the day and active at night.
The residential part is on the streets and closes that branch off both sides. They hold older blocks of 2 and 3-bedroom flats, some detached houses, newer apartment blocks on redeveloped plots, serviced apartments and a good number of short-let flats serving business visitors and airport traffic.
What property is like, and what it costs
Indicative figures for the street and for the district are:
- 2-bedroom flat around Allen Avenue: ₦1,000,000 – ₦1,800,000 per annum
- 2-bedroom flat across Ikeja as a whole: ₦800,000 – ₦3,500,000 per annum, the top of which is set by Ikeja GRA and serviced blocks
That puts Allen Avenue in the middle of the Ikeja market. Tenants pay for the central location and the convenience, and they discount for noise, traffic and limited parking, which is why the neighbourhood does not reach GRA prices even though it is only a short distance from the GRA. Within the area, renovated and newly built flats on quiet closes with parking, a borehole and backup power sit at the top of the range, and older blocks close to the avenue sit at the bottom. Shops and offices on the frontage are among the most expensive commercial space on the mainland and are priced separately.
To see what is available, browse flats for rent on Allen Avenue, 2-bedroom flats for rent in Ikeja or 3-bedroom flats for rent in Ikeja.
Getting around from Allen Avenue
Allen Avenue is one of the recognised traffic pressure points of Ikeja, together with Toyin Street. The roundabout end and the Opebi and Toyin junction both queue at peak hours, and roadside parking slows the carriageway further. Against that, almost everything in Ikeja is close: Alausa, Computer Village, Ikeja City Mall, the GRA and both airport terminals are all a short drive, and buses and ride-hailing cars are always available.
Who Allen Avenue suits
- Professionals who work in central Ikeja or at Alausa and want to live close to the office
- Frequent flyers and business visitors who want to be near the airport; see short let in Ikeja
- Banks, retailers, restaurants and service firms that want the highest-profile frontage in Ikeja
- Investors in serviced and short-let apartments
If you want a quieter setting nearby, look at the Ikeja GRA at a higher budget, or at Agidingbi at a similar or lower one. The neighbouring streets are covered in the guides to Opebi Road and Adeniyi Jones Avenue.
What to check before you rent or buy
- Noise: visit in the evening as well as in the day, particularly near lounges and hotels.
- Parking: confirm a space inside the compound; street parking is not dependable.
- Power: ask about the prepaid meter, the generator schedule and how diesel is shared.
- Building age: inspect plumbing, wiring and the roof in older blocks.
- Title and use, for a purchase: have a solicitor search the title at the Lagos State Lands Registry at Alausa and confirm the approved use of the plot.
Own a flat, shop or office here? List your property on Cabans.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Allen Avenue?
Allen Avenue is in central Ikeja, in Ikeja Local Government Area on the Lagos mainland. It runs from the Allen roundabout on Obafemi Awolowo Way to the junction where it meets Opebi Road and Toyin Street.
Which local government is Allen Avenue under?
Allen Avenue is under Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Is Allen Avenue residential or commercial?
It is commercial first. The frontage is taken up by banks, offices, shopping plazas, electronics and phone shops, restaurants, fast-food outlets and hotels. Homes are on the side streets and closes off the avenue, in blocks of flats and a smaller number of houses.
How much is rent on Allen Avenue, Ikeja?
Indicatively, a 2-bedroom flat around Allen Avenue rents for about ₦1,000,000–₦1,800,000 a year. Renovated flats on quiet side streets with parking and backup power are at the top of that range; older blocks close to the noise of the avenue are at the bottom.
What is at the two ends of Allen Avenue?
At one end is the Allen roundabout on Obafemi Awolowo Way, where Aromire Avenue continues on the other side towards Adeniyi Jones. At the other end Allen Avenue meets Opebi Road and Toyin Street.
Is Allen Avenue a good place to live?
It suits people who work in Ikeja and want banks, food, shopping and transport within walking distance. It is one of the busiest streets on the mainland, so expect traffic, noise and tight parking, and look on the side streets if you want quiet.
Browse the area on Cabans: Allen Avenue area page, properties in Ikeja. Related guides: Opebi Road, Ikeja, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Ikeja GRA.
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