Ikeja has three options worth knowing: Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park, Ndubuisi Kanu Park, and Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens. Each fits a different purpose, and prices vary. The second is a free or low-cost outing. The first is a public space with paid event rentals. The third is a private rental venue for ceremonies and shoots.
Pick the wrong one and you could pay event prices for a picnic, or arrive at a private venue that doesn’t accept walk-in visitors. This guide compares the parks by facilities, access, and cost, then matches each option to the plans it fits best.
Key Takeaways
- JJT Park opened on December 13, 2017, and covers about 21,880 sqm. Past gazebo rental quotes ranged from ₦45,000 to ₦220,000; confirm current rates with the operator.
- A full-site rental was previously listed at ₦2,750,000 for 4,000 guests, while Section A was listed at ₦1,750,000 for 1,500 guests. Confirm current prices before planning.
- Public access at another Lagos park is separate from paid rentals. It offers courts and play areas, but check current entry arrangements with the operator.
- Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens is a two-acre private venue on Airport Road that has hosted up to 2,500 guests.
Ikeja Parks at a Glance
Compare access, facilities, and best use across the three parks. The table puts the key facts in one view.
| Park | Access | Standout facilities | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public park with rentals | Walk-in access may vary; event rentals are paid | Water feature, children’s play area, food court, aviary | Day visits, small gatherings, portraits, large events |
| Public recreation park | Often free on weekdays, subject to current access rules | Tennis and basketball courts, children’s play area, lawn | Family outings, sports, low-cost days out |
| Private park venue | Access and rentals by booking | Landscaped grounds, gazebo, 55-metre red carpet aisle | Ceremonies, parties, product launches |
Two of the three may allow free walk-in visits, depending on current rules. Rental fees apply when you book space for an event, a shoot, or private access.
Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park: Facilities and Rental Prices
JJT Park is Ikeja’s largest public park and the only one with published rates. Former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode commissioned it on December 13, 2017, and the grounds cover about 21,880sqm. The park’s name honors three former Lagos governors: Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (Rtd.), Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Facilities for Visitors
Treat it as a general-purpose public park first. Listed facilities include 24 toilets, a fountain, a children’s playground, a food court, an aviary, a chess game, statues, and a visible security presence. Electricity runs across the grounds, so evening visits are workable.
The layout gives families the most value. Children can move between the playground and open grounds while adults use the seating and food court. The aviary and statues give children more to see beyond the play equipment.
Booking and Rental Prices
The published figures below are venue rental rates, not general admission fees. Verify the prices and booking terms before choosing a location for your gathering.
| Booking option | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive use | 4,000 people | ₦2,750,000 |
| Section A | 1,500 people | ₦1,750,000 |
| Plumbago gazebo (14 ft x 14 ft) | 20 people | ₦45,000 |
| Thuja or Hibiscus gazebo with extension | 100 people | ₦220,000 |
| Open grounds with setup | 10 to 100 people | ₦30,000 to ₦300,000 |
| Open grounds without setup | Per head | ₦1,000 |
The gazebo options suit smaller gatherings. A birthday for 20 fits the smallest gazebo at ₦45,000. A naming ceremony or small celebration for up to 100 fits a large gazebo or an open area. Events with a few hundred guests require Section A or exclusive use of the full site.
Photography and Filming Rates
Personal photoshoots cost ₦5,000 per day. A product photoshoot costs ₦500,000, with no time unit stated. Commercial video shoots, film and TV production, brand activations, and music videos cost ₦1,000,000 per day.
The ₦5,000 rate is for portrait sessions and personal shoots. Higher rates apply to commercial work and branded content. Confirm the published rates, including which categories are charged per day, before booking.
Ndubuisi Kanu Park: The Low-Cost Option
This public park and recreation centre is managed by the Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency. It’s close to another public space, so you can pair both stops in one outing.
Facilities and Activities
Facilities include a lawn tennis court, a basketball court, a children’s play area, seats and benches, patios, sheds, and snack stands. The green space also has room for a picnic.
Split your group by interest rather than by age. Sport users get the courts, children get the play area, and everyone else can relax on the grounds. Snack stands sell refreshments, though bringing your own food keeps the outing free beyond transport.
The agency also holds environmental education lectures and tree-planting programmes. These activities give visitors another reason to stop by.
Entry and Costs
Weekday access has often been free, while weekends and holidays may carry a small gate fee. Check current entry arrangements with the park operator before travelling, since fees and access can change. Weekends can also draw larger crowds, especially on Saturdays.
Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens: The Private Event Venue
Unlike the two public parks, Jhalobia is a private event venue. Mrs. Veronica Adepoju and her two daughters, who are landscape designers, founded it in 1998. The garden sits on Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, between Hajj Camp and Ajao Estate.
The Grounds
The garden covers two acres, and its landscaping is the main attraction. Features include grassy areas, walkways, topiary, statues, waterfalls, ponds, rock gardens, and covered seating areas. A children’s playground is also on the grounds.
Landscape designers shaped each element, so the grounds photograph well without extra decoration. This private recreation park works well for wedding photography, where the setting provides much of the visual appeal. The park’s layout also suits photo shoots.
Events and Capacity
The park hosts up to 2,500 guests for parties, product launches, and other events. A 55-metre red-carpeted aisle runs through the grounds for wedding celebrations. The venue lists a restaurant, a bar, and on-site security.
Jhalobia doesn’t publish prices on its own listing, so request a quote for your date, guest count, and event type. Confirm access, capacity, facilities, and rates directly before visiting or booking. Its position near Ajao Estate and Murtala Muhammed Airport can help orient guests arriving by air.
Matching the Park to Your Plans
Choose by purpose, then budget. Each park fits a different plan, but each has a trade-off.
- Picnics and family outings: Ndubuisi’s recreation park keeps costs low and offers sport, play, and shade, but lacks JJT’s food court. It’s a good picnic choice if you don’t need that extra.
- Small gatherings: For events at JJT’s park, choose a gazebo that fits your group. Compare the two gazebo sizes and confirm capacity and current rates before booking.
- Wedding ceremonies and large parties: Jhalobia’s park is a formal event venue with a carpeted aisle and capacity for 2,500, but its scale may not suit smaller gatherings. JJT’s Section A can suit larger events, with current prices available by direct confirmation.
- Photoshoots: JJT’s personal photoshoot rate is a low-cost option, but Jhalobia offers more varied backdrops in one location. Confirm current rates before booking.
Compare each park’s capacity with its total cost before committing. A lawn booking with setup may cost less than a larger booking than you need, so confirm current rates and match the space to your guest count.
Practical Notes for Visiting Ikeja Parks
A few operational points can affect your plans. Check these before you leave home.
- Check park fees ahead. Confirm entry charges and opening hours with the operator before leaving, including weekday rates.
- Confirm payment options. Ask the park operator whether the gate or snack stands accept cash, transfers, or both.
- Allow for traffic. Traffic in Lagos can affect travel times, so check conditions and leave extra time.
- Separate visits from rentals. Entry to a park and event-space rental are separate costs, so confirm both prices with the operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a recreation park nearby?
Yes. Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park and Ndubuisi Kanu Park admit the public. Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens is a private rental venue.
How much is the entry fee to Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park?
No general admission fee appears in the published figures. Listed prices cover rentals, lawn use, and photography or filming permits, not ordinary visits. Confirm current access rules with management before visiting.
How much does it cost to reserve a small gathering space at JJT Park?
The smallest published rate is ₦45,000 for the Plumbago unit, which measures 14 ft by 14 ft and seats 20 people. The largest, a Thuja or Hibiscus unit with an extension, costs ₦220,000 for up to 100 people. Confirm current rates with management before booking.
What facilities does the site offer?
Facilities include electricity, a children’s playground, a food court, an aviary, and a chess area across its 21,880sqm grounds.
When was the site commissioned and by whom?
Former Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode commissioned it on December 13, 2017. It was named after three former governors: Mobolaji Johnson, Lateef Jakande, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
What is Ndubuisi Kanu Park and who manages it?
It’s a public recreation area created and managed by the state parks agency. It has tennis and basketball courts, a children’s play area, patios, sheds, and snack stands around a large open space.
Can the private garden host a wedding?
Contact the operator to confirm availability, terms, and current prices for a wedding.
Final Thoughts
The options differ by budget and purpose. A low-cost recreation park works for a simple day out, while larger bookings need more space and facilities. Published rates can change, so verify current prices before choosing a park.
Start with your headcount and purpose, then match the venue to both. A weekday visit needs fewer facilities than a large formal event, and a public park may not provide the privacy that exclusive use requires. The right choice fits your plans and budget.
Leave a Reply