Originally named “Ile Awon Agbe” (House of Farmers), Cocoa House which is Nigeria’s first skyscraper in Ibadan, Oyo State capital is a monument to behold.
The 26-storey building standing tall at 105 metres was built with proceeds from the then Western Region’s cocoa, rubber, and timber exports, symbolizing the region’s agricultural prosperity during the cocoa boom.
Built at the cost of 1.2m pounds by a firm of contractors- Messers Cappa and D’Alberto, a leading building and Civil Engineering firm then established in 1932, by two Italian men- Pietro Carlo Cappa and Vigino D’Alberto is still standing strong and towering above every other building around, and in the entire ancient city.
Having been conceived in 1964, under the golden leadership of Obafemi Awolowo and commissioned by Samuel Ladoke Akintola in 1965, the monument rose from the rich proceeds of cocoa to presently claiming its place in history as the first skyscraper in West Africa.
The building, which accommodates offices, the Odu’a Museum and Hall of Fame, showcasing Yoruba artifacts and historical documents, media Houses, others, has gone through renovations to preserve its historical significance especially after it was gutted by fire in 1985.
In 1985, a fire caused significant damage, particularly to the upper floors. It was subsequently renovated and reopened in 1992, maintaining its status as a prominent landmark.
In 2024 also, there was a significant upgrade to preserve the dignity and relevance of Cocoa House – modernizing the reception area, improving parking facilities, and enhancing the surroundings to ensure it remains welcoming to tenants, tourists, and visitors alike.
According to Bimbo Ashiru, group chairman of the conglomerate, the renovation is part of ongoing efforts to preserve and strengthen the legacies of Western Nigeria.
According to Ashiru, “We must continue to uplift the legacies of our predecessors and foster progress through collaborative efforts. Cocoa House has been a beacon of economic resilience, which has shaped the region’s narrative for decades.”
Abdulrahman Yinusa, Group Managing Director of Odu’a, said: “The renovation is part of our commitment to blend preservation with modernisation, ensuring that Cocoa House remains not just a relic of history but a living, thriving centre of enterprise.”
Therefore, over 60 years, Cocoa House has been a symbol of resilience and one building that continues to mould business, commerce and tourism in the city and the state at large.
Odu’a Investment Company Limited, owner of the building had to roll out drums to celebrate the success of its founding fathers over Cocoa House as it continues to render relevant contributions to the growth of business, commerce and tourism, 60 years after.
The diamond jubilee anniversary of the iconic House had to be celebrated with fun and ceremony which featured a symbolic balloon release on July 30, a guest lecture in collaboration with DAWN Commission, a health walk and charity visit, a youth hangout, and an open house that gave free access to the Odu’a Museum and Hall of Fame.
At the grand finale held at Cocoa House premises was video documentary –‘Legacy of Cocoa House’, panel discussion themed ‘Evolution of High-Rise Building in Nigeria’ moderated by Architect Femi Agboola of FMA Architects.
The session brought together distinguished industry experts, including Hakeem Ogunniran, Bashir Oladunni and Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola to examine the architectural and economic significance of skyscrapers in Nigeria as well as Questions and Answers session.
Among the dignitaries were grandchildren of Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola, including Akinwumi Akintola, who joined others in celebrating the legacy of their forebears.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Secretaries to the State Governments of the shareholder states—Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo, and Osun; Bamidele Samson, Chairman of BOVAS, Bolaji Balogun CEO of Chapel Hill Denham, Ladi Balogun, CEO of FCMB, Lekan Alabi, high chief and former General Manager of OICL, Bayo Oyero, former CCII President-General among others.
Bimbo Ashiru, group chairman of Odua Investment Company Limited, while speaking at the grand finale said that Cocoa House remained a living chapter of the Yoruba story, representing resilience, modernity, and economic strength.
“We have been reminded that Cocoa House was not born of chance. It was born of vision. In the early 1960s, at the very height of Nigeria’s cocoa boom, the leaders of the Western Region dared to dream of a commercial tower that would stand as a symbol of prosperity and modernity.
“That dream became reality in 1965, when this 26-storey masterpiece opened its doors—then the tallest building in tropical Africa. Imagine the excitement of that time: a post-independence Nigeria, with cocoa farmers in the West watching as the proceeds of their labour were turned into this towering proof that Africa could design, finance, and build to world-class standards.
“So, at 60, it is not slowing down; it is standing taller than ever, calling us to match its resilience with our own. So, the House, at 60 years old, is not just a building we work in; it is a living, breathing chapter of our collective story as a people.”
The group chairman said that the conglomerate was committed to making the Cocoa House not just a monument to the past, but a hub for the future—integrating modern infrastructure, sustainable practices, and cutting-edge facilities, while preserving its soul.
Recalling the tragic inferno of January 9, 1985, which claimed lives and devastated the building, the group chairman stated that its rehabilitation was a symbol of defiance and resilience.
“But history, as we know, is not a straight road. The story of Cocoa House took a tragic turn on January 9, 1985, when fire swept through the building. Lives were lost. Families were shattered. And for many, it felt like the heart of Ibadan itself had been wounded.
Today, as part of this celebration, we pause to honour those who perished that day. Let us remember them not only with sorrow, but with the knowledge that their sacrifice is forever woven into the fabric of this building’s legacy. May their souls rest in perfect peace.
“The inferno could have been the end of Cocoa House. But just as our forebears built it with courage, so too did the generation after rise with resilience. Step by step, brick by brick, the building was rehabilitated and restored to life, and once again open for business. That restoration was more than construction work; it was an act of defiance, a statement that we will not be defined by our setbacks, but by our comebacks.
“Since then, Odu’a Investment Company Limited has been custodian of this legacy, preserving its historic value, keeping it functional for tenants and partners, and gradually modernizing it to meet new demands but assured that the current board would continue to preserve Cocoa House as both a historic landmark and a modern hub of enterprise.
He however, stated that he would challenge the South-West governors to establish a monument in each state that could be named Cassava House, Timber House, Rubber House, emphasising the need to bring the old glory back.
According to him, “I’m going to challenge our leaders that in each state, we must have a monument like this, which we can call Cassava House, Timber House, Rubber House. And I’m happy the president is now focusing on agriculture to create good food on the table. We need to bring back the old glory, but the most important thing is that we want to keep the legacy of our forefathers. I am happy that their grandchildren are here to see what their grandparents have done.”
Ashiru however, expressed appreciation to shareholders, boards, management teams, business partners, and tenants for their collective stewardship, stressing that the diamond jubilee was a testament to their commitment.
Abdulrahman Yinusa, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of OICL, described the skyscraper as “a statement of vision, enterprise, and excellence” that has endured since its commissioning in 1965.
He recalled that the edifice, built from cocoa proceeds under the leadership of Obafemi Awolowo and commissioned by Samuel Ladoke Akintola, symbolised the foresight and prosperity of the Yoruba nation.
“Cocoa House is our talking drum; it calls us to remember who we are. She is our oríkì in stone and glass, telling the world of a people who could plant cocoa and harvest skyscrapers,” Yinusa said.
Highlighting the month-long activities, the GMD noted that the celebrations featured a symbolic balloon release on July 30, a guest lecture in collaboration with DAWN Commission, a health walk and charity visit, a youth hangout, and an Open House that gave free access to the Odu’a Museum and Hall of Fame.
Yinusa reaffirmed Odu’a’s commitment to modernising Cocoa House with upgraded facilities, saying: “As we celebrate 60 years, may this monument remind us that discipline, vision, and unity can transform even the humblest seed into a landmark that towers above the skyline for generations.”
Onikepo Akande, former minister of Industry, in her goodwill message described Cocoa House as a symbol of economic and agricultural prosperity.
While saying that it was the first high-rise building in Nigeria and retained that record for 14 years, stated that “It is a celebration of resilience. This anniversary is a celebration of a collective journey and of the legacy we can build. With visionary leadership, legacies like Cocoa House can continue to inspire future generations.”
Adewale Raji, the immediate past Group managing director of Odua investment while congratulating the board, management, and staff of the organisation for sustaining the legacy for 60 years noted “We celebrate a lot of courage and innovation. I wish the organisation another 60 years of sustaining the legacy of our forebears.”
Seye Oyeleye, director-general of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, in his good will message emphasised that the region must be at the forefront of Nigeria’s development.
Inspiring goodwill messages were delivered by Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (representing Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu); Olanike Adeyemo, professor and Secretary to the State Government who represented Governor Seyi Makinde, lauded the foresight of the Western Region’s founding fathers and acknowledged OICL’s efforts in preserving and sustaining the iconic building.
To everyone associated with Cocoa House, past and present, the anniversary is a celebration of the collective journey, achievements and the legacy built.
