Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), located in the heart of Lagos Island, is not just a civic arena. It is the symbolic ground where Nigeria stood tall as a free nation on October 1, 1960. Named after Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the square was constructed on the site of the old Lagos Race Course, which once served colonial elites. But on that historic day in 1960, the grounds were repurposed for history where the Union Jack was lowered, and the Green-White-Green flag was hoisted for the first time.
Designed to reflect the grandeur of a newly independent republic, TBS features monumental sculptures of four white horses and seven red eagles, representing strength and dignity elements Nigeria wished to embody as a sovereign state. The ceremonial square became the central hub for national celebrations, military parades, and official speeches, cementing its place in the country’s collective memory.
Over the decades, Tafawa Balewa Square has evolved into a bustling public space that hosts political rallies, cultural events, concerts, and major state functions. Though urban development has altered its surrounding landscape, the spirit of TBS remains unchanged, it’s a sacred ground of independence, echoing the voice of Nigeria’s founding moment.
For many Nigerians, visiting TBS is more than a trip to a monument, it’s a walk through the very spot where the dream of self-governance became reality.
