The history of Ikorodu Town Hall must start with due commendation to the activities of the Ikorodu Students Association (ISA) under the leadership of Alhaji Rasaq Afolabi Solaja-Alagogo in the execution of its dream for Ikorodu, principally to develop a gigantic hall for her.
The idea was conceived on Saturday 1st May 1957 when the association organised a reception for newly qualified professionals who had on completion of their studies overseas, particularly in Britain, just returned to Nigeria. The reception was held at lawn tennis ground upon which now stands the Exclusive Club House under the distinguished chairmanship of His Royal Majesty, Late Oba Samuel Oderinde Ladega, the then Ayangburen of Ikorodu. Little did they know that heaven would open its gate and released a heavy downpour which disrupted the programme. It was at the event that the thought emerged that if the event had been held inside a building such as a hall, the challenge would have been averted.
A general meeting of all Ikorodu sons and daughters was held at Glover Memorial Hall, Customs Street, Lagos to further discuss the matter. At the meeting, a Town Hall Building Committee under the chairmanship of late Mr. Emmanuel Ade Ogunleye, a Civil Engineer was constituted.
The agitation became more intense back then after the construction of the Shagamu Town Hall. That accomplishment by the people of Shagamu posed a great challenge to the ISA that late Alhaji R. A. Solaja-Alagogo charged Elders to support the construction of a Town Hall in Ikorodu. The ISA composition consists of:
(i) Alhaji Rasaq Afolabi Solaja-Alagogo – Chairman
(ii) Barr. S. F. Obafemi Ogbe – Secretary
(iii) Chief B. O. Benson – Member
(iv) Alhaji Chief A. R. Allison among others
The ISA further approached late Pa. Michael Olutusen Onafowokan who was the first Nigerian Architect to be on the Board of Royal Institute of British Architects for his support in designing a befitting Town Hall which he promptly did with the support of his boss; Mr. J. D. Buck, the Chief Town Planning Officer in Western Region of Nigeria.
The actual construction commenced about a decade later after series of fund raising activities were conducted at various times and locations, even, in faraway London. The construction was completed up to D. P. C. level before the project was abandoned due to unavailability of funds.
In 1986, the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG) commissioned a study to ascertain why the project was stagnated and to recommend strategies to effect early completion. The study discovered that the project was stagnated due to lack of funds and waning interest. As a consequence of these factors, the IDRDG sought and obtained the blessings of the initiator of the Town Hall project so as to serve as a catalyst to complete the construction of the building.
For efficient and effective implementation of the plan, special committees were set-up by the Resource Group and thereafter organised series of fund raising ceremonies in aid of the completion of the Town Hall Project. The first fund raising ceremony was held on Saturday 3rd, May, 1986 and recorded a huge success- special donations were also received from the Lagos State Government, Ikorodu Local Government and the Ikorodu Oga Development Committee.
It was formally commissioned in the year 1994 under the Chairmanship of Sir Engr. (Chief) Rasheed O. Shoderu; the premises were completed with only the basic infrastructure put in place. Today, we have all the Halls within the premises of the Ikorodu Town Hall fully air-conditioned and environmentally friendly.
Ever since then, the management of the Ikorodu Town Hall has been in care of Ikorodu Town Hall Management Board (ITHMB) under the auspice of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG).