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Allen Avenue, Ikeja

Allen Avenue Quick Facts

Table of Contents

Seal / Logo / Emblem
Name Allen Avenue
Country Nigeria
State Lagos State
LGA Ikeja Local Government Area
District Opebi District
Type Avenue
Info Major Commercial, Corporate & Entertainment High Street
Connects Runs from Obafemi Awolowo Way to the Allen Roundabout
Road Condition Allen Roundabout, Alade Market, Best Western Plus Hotel
Traffic Profile Two-Way Street. Heavy at peak hours (7-10 AM, 4-8 PM), especially near the roundabout.
Postal Code 100281

Allen Avenue Location

Allen Avenue is a 2.5-kilometer iconic commercial artery that forms the backbone of Ikeja’s business and social life. As a central pillar of the Opebi District, it functions as a critical two-way thoroughfare connecting the administrative hub of Obafemi Awolowo Way to the bustling Allen Roundabout. By day, Allen Avenue is a formidable corporate and financial center, lined with the high-rise offices of banks and corporations. By night, it transforms, along with its famous side streets, into one of the Lagos mainland’s most vibrant and enduring destinations for dining, hospitality, and entertainment.

Allen Avenue Map

Allen Avenue Postal Code

The official and most common postal code for the Allen Avenue Area (including the main Allen Avenue street and most of its connecting side streets) is 100281.

Note on Usage: This code (100281) can be used for most addresses on the main road and is the correct code for the vast majority of businesses and residences in this area. However, some minor connecting streets, especially those that intersect with other postal zones (like Kafi Street, which links to Awolowo Way), may have different codes. For 100% accuracy, see the full street-by-street directory below.

Allen Avenue Streets and Postal Codes

This table serves as the definitive authority for all streets located within the Allen Avenue Area and their verified NIPOST postal codes.

Street Name Postal Code
Allen Avenue 100281
Agbaoku Street 100281
Ajanaku Street 100281
Alade Avenue 100281
Alawode Street 100281
Alowo Street 100281
Ayeni Street 100281
Ayodele Ojo Street 100281
Esubiyi Street 100281
Folawiyo Street 100281
Gani Williams Close 100281
Kafi Street 100271
Odunlami Street 100281
Ogundana Street 100281
Oju-Olobun Street 100281
Olayiwola Street 100281
Olawale Cole Street 100281
Olubunmi Owa Street 100281
Olorunfumi Street 100281
Orolu Street 100281
Oritshe Street 100281
Osho Street 100281
Shobuyon Street 100281
Soji Adepegba Close 100281
Sule Abuka Street 100281

Allen Avenue Introduction

Below is an evergreen, comprehensive “yellow pages” style directory of the key businesses, services, and landmarks located in the Allen Avenue Area. This is one of the most commercially dense areas in Lagos, supporting a vast ecosystem of corporate, retail, and hospitality services.

Banks & Financial Services on Allen Avenue

Allen Avenue is a premier financial corridor. The street is lined with numerous large, full-service branches of every major Nigerian bank, many of which serve as regional headquarters.

  • Zenith Bank (Allen Avenue)
    • Location: 83, Allen Avenue (and other branches).
    • Details: Zenith has a massive, multi-story regional branch on Allen, a significant landmark. It features a large e-banking hall, multiple 24/7 ATMs, and corporate/private banking suites.
  • Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)
    • Location: 142, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: An iconic, modern, glass-walled branch that is always busy. It provides a full range of personal and corporate banking services, with a 24/7 ATM gallery.
  • Access Bank (Allen Avenue)
    • Location: 95, Allen Avenue (and other locations).
    • Details: Access Bank has a significant presence, including large branches that were formerly Diamond Bank. These are full-service locations offering personal, business, and corporate banking.
  • United Bank for Africa (UBA)
    • Location: 106, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A large, established branch that is a cornerstone of the avenue. It offers a full suite of services, including foreign exchange (FX) transactions, and has a reliable 24/7 ATM bay.
  • First Bank of Nigeria
    • Location: 79, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: As is common for First Bank, this is a large, established branch with deep roots in the community, servicing many long-time corporate and personal accounts.
  • FCMB (First City Monument Bank)
    • Location: 50, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A full-service branch known for its strong SME and business banking solutions. It’s easily recognizable and provides 24/7 ATM services.
  • Fidelity Bank
    • Location: 65, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A reliable, modern branch offering a complete range of personal and business banking products, including digital banking services and on-site ATMs.
  • Stanbic IBTC Bank
    • Location: 47, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: This branch caters to personal and business clients, with a strong focus on the bank’s well-regarded pension, investment, and wealth management services.
  • Sterling Bank
    • Location: 20, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: Located closer to the Awolowo Way T-junction, this branch offers a full spectrum of banking services, including its non-interest (Jaiz) banking window.
  • Wema Bank
    • Location: 78, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A digital-forward branch, home to the ALAT platform, but also providing comprehensive in-person banking for personal and SME customers.

Hotels & Guesthouses on Allen Avenue

Allen is a prime hospitality destination, catering to the flood of business travelers who work in its offices.

  • Best Western Plus Lagos Ikeja
    • Location: 12, Allen Avenue (at the Allen/Toyin junction).
    • Details: The 4-star international hotel that anchors the Allen Roundabout. It’s a major landmark with over 100 rooms, extensive conference facilities, a swimming pool, a gym, and an on-site restaurant. It’s the top choice for many international business travelers.
  • Hotel L’eola
    • Location: 1, Agbaoku Street (off Allen).
    • Details: A popular and stylish boutique hotel known for its good service, comfortable rooms, and a lovely poolside area. It offers a more intimate alternative to the larger Best Western.
  • New Al-Amin Hotel
    • Location: 15, Olowu Street (off Allen).
    • Details: A well-known mid-range hotel offering reliable and secure accommodation. It’s a popular choice for business travelers on a moderate budget.
  • Presken Hotel (multiple locations)
    • Details: The Presken chain has several popular mid-range hotels in the Opebi/Allen/Toyin triangle, known for their consistent service, pools, and lively bars.
  • Countless Guesthouses
    • Location: Primarily on Agbaoku, Osho, and other side streets.
    • Details: This is the hidden hospitality economy of Allen. Dozens (if not hundreds) of small, unbranded, and “short-let” guesthouses are tucked away on these streets, catering to the nightlife scene and budget travelers.

Restaurants, Cafes, Nightlife & Lounges on Allen Avenue

Allen Avenue has a storied history as a social hub. While some of its legendary 90s/2000s spots have given way to corporate buildings, a vibrant ecosystem of food and entertainment remains, especially on its side streets.

  • Tantalizers
    • Location: 44, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: This is an iconic, flagship location for the Tantalizers fast-food chain. For decades, it has been a landmark, a meeting point, and a beloved spot for Nigerian fast food like jollof rice, fried rice, and pastries.
  • Mr. Bigg’s
    • Location: 111, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: Another legendary Nigerian fast-food institution. This branch, opposite Alade Market, has served generations of Lagosians and remains a key landmark for giving directions and grabbing a quick meat pie or scotch egg.
  • KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
    • Location: 80, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A major branch of the international chain, serving its famous fried chicken. It’s a popular, modern spot for casual meals and is often busy, especially on weekends.
  • Domino’s Pizza & Cold Stone Creamery
    • Location: 91, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: This co-located store is a major hub for families and young people. It’s a bright, modern, and popular spot for pizza and ice cream, serving as a key social landmark.
  • The Place (Restaurant & Club)
    • Location: 45, Opebi Road (at Allen Roundabout).
    • Details: While technically on Opebi, its location at the roundabout makes it a key anchor for Allen. The downstairs restaurant serves fast-casual Nigerian food, while the upstairs is one of Ikeja’s most popular nightclubs.
  • Bukka Hut (nearby)
    • Location: On Opebi Road (a short walk from Allen Roundabout).
    • Details: A massively popular “new-style” bukateria, famous for its wide variety of fresh, delicious, and affordable Nigerian soups, swallows, and rice dishes.
  • The Yellow Chilli
    • Location: 27, Oju Olobun Street (off Agbaoku).
    • Details: An upscale, refined restaurant specializing in gourmet Nigerian and African cuisine. It’s a top choice for celebratory dinners, business lunches, and experiencing Nigerian food in a high-quality setting.
  • Art Cafe
    • Location: 28, Agbaoku Street.
    • Details: A long-standing and beloved coffee shop and restaurant. It’s known for its relaxed, artsy ambiance, full English breakfast, good coffee, and as a quiet haven for meetings or remote work.
  • Nightlife (Agbaoku & Osho Streets)
    • Details: While Allen itself is corporate, its side streets (Agbaoku, Osho) are the heart of its nightlife. These streets are densely packed with local bars, “executive” lounges, strip clubs, and guesthouses. This area comes alive after 10 PM and is famous for its raw, energetic, and 24/7 social scene.

Corporate Offices & Key Buildings on Allen Avenue

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Shopping Plazas & Supermarkets on Allen Avenue

Allen Avenue is one of Ikeja’s original shopping high streets, famous for everything from textiles to high-tech.

  • Alade Market
    • Location: 109, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: This is a tale of two markets. The “Old Alade Market” was a legendary, sprawling open-air market famous for textiles (Aso-Ebi), food, and fashion. It has been controversially demolished and moved. The “New Alade Mall” is a modern, multi-story shopping plaza built to replace it, housing boutiques, salons, and offices. The area remains a key commercial hub.
  • Alen-Tejon Shopping Mall
    • Location: 2, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: One of the older, more established plazas on the street, housing a variety of independent shops, from electronics to fashion.
  • Slot / 3C Hub
    • Location: Multiple locations on Allen.
    • Details: Allen Avenue is a major hub for mobile phones and electronics. Leading retailers like Slot and 3C Hub have large, prominent stores here, serving as the go-to spots for new phones, laptops, and accessories.
  • Addide Supermarket
    • Location: 100, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A key neighborhood supermarket, perfect for residents, hotel guests, and office workers to grab groceries, drinks, toiletries, and other essentials.
  • Furniture Stores
    • Details: Allen is home to several high-end furniture and interior design stores, such as PorkBelly and others, catering to the affluent clientele of Ikeja.
  • Boutiques & Perfume Shops
    • Details: The street and its numerous plazas are filled with independent boutiques selling fashion, shoes, and accessories. It’s also a hotspot for high-end perfume and cosmetics retailers.

Pharmacies, Clinics & Hospitals on Allen Avenue

The area is well-served with healthcare, wellness, and beauty services, catering to the thousands of professionals who work there.

  • Medplus Pharmacy
    • Location: 45, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A large, flagship branch of the leading pharmacy chain. It’s open late and is well-stocked with prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, supplements, and personal care items.
  • HealthPlus Pharmacy
    • Location: 85, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: Another major, reliable pharmacy chain, ensuring 24/7 access to authentic pharmaceutical products and professional advice.
  • B-Natural Spa
    • Location: 11, Odunlami Street (off Allen).
    • Details: An iconic and one of the largest wellness centers in Lagos. It’s a full-service spa offering massages, facials, body treatments, and also includes a high-end salon, a cosmetics shop, and a small cafe.
  • Bobby’s Signature
    • Location: 23, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A highly popular and trend-setting unisex salon, particularly famous for its high-end barbering services and as a grooming spot for celebrities and professionals.
  • Clinics & Dental Practices
    • Details: The area is rich in private clinics. Reddington Hospital is a short drive away on Awolowo Way. Numerous dental practices (like Smile 360) and specialist eye clinics are located in the office buildings on and around Allen.
  • i-Fitness Gym (nearby)
    • Location: On Opebi Road (a short walk from Allen Roundabout).
    • Details: The largest and most popular 24/7 gym in the area, serving as the primary fitness center for many professionals and residents in the Allen/Opebi axis.

Fuel Stations on Allen Avenue

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Schools & Education on Allen Avenue

While not known for traditional K-12 schools, Allen Avenue is arguably the most important hub for professional and IT education in Lagos.

  • Aptech Computer Education
    • Location: 2, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: A massive, multi-story campus for one of the world’s leading IT training providers. This landmark building has trained thousands of Nigerians in programming, networking, and other tech skills.
  • NIIT (National Institute of Information Technology)
    • Location: 112, Allen Avenue.
    • Details: Another global IT training giant with a major campus on Allen. The competition between NIIT and Aptech has defined the IT training landscape in Ikeja for decades.
  • Professional Training Centers
    • Details: The office buildings on Allen are filled with dozens of smaller training centers. These cater to professional certifications like PMP (Project Management), ACCA (Accounting), cybersecurity, and various leadership and management courses.

Services (Corporate, Logistics & Auto) on Allen Avenue

  • Travel Agencies
    • Details: Allen Avenue is famous as the “street of travel agencies.” Dozens, if not hundreds, of IATA-certified travel and tour operators have their offices here, booking flights and packages for corporate and leisure clients.
  • Logistics & Courier Services
    • Details: Major logistics companies like DHL, GIG Logistics, and FedEx have offices or pick-up points on or near Allen to service the high volume of corporate and e-commerce-related shipping.
  • Fuel Stations
    • TotalEnergies (at the Awolowo Way junction), MRS, and Oando operate large, 24/7 filling stations along the avenue, which are key landmarks and provide essential services like mini-marts and car washes.
  • Corporate Offices
    • Details: Beyond the banks, many of the high-rise buildings (like Olu-Olu House) are filled with the offices of law firms, auditors (KPMG, PwC have offices nearby), engineering firms, IT companies, and real estate developers.

Churches & Mosques on Allen Avenue

  • Foursquare Gospel Church
    • Location: 62/68, Akinwunmi Street (just off Allen).
    • Details: The national headquarters of the Foursquare Church in Nigeria. This is a massive, sprawling campus and a highly significant religious landmark in Ikeja, hosting major conventions and services.
  • The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
    • Details: Numerous RCCG parishes (branches) are located on the side streets, serving the local community and office workers with midweek and Sunday services.
  • Ikeja Central Mosque
    • Location: 20, Obafemi Awolowo Way.
    • Details: The primary mosque for the entire Ikeja area, located just a 2-minute drive from the start of Allen. It hosts the main Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers and is a key religious institution.

Transportation & Bus Stops on Allen Avenue

Key Bus Stops

  • Allen Roundabout Bus Stop
    • Location: At the Allen/Opebi/Toyin junction.
    • Details: This is one of the most significant bus stops in Ikeja. It’s a chaotic, high-energy interchange where you can get danfo (yellow) buses and kekes heading towards Ogba, Oshodi, Berger, and deeper into Opebi.
  • Alade Market / Tantalizers Bus Stop
    • Location: In the middle of Allen Avenue, near the Tantalizers building and opposite Alade Market.
    • Details: A major and very busy mid-point stop for passengers shopping at the market or visiting the numerous banks and offices in the area.
  • Awolowo Way / T-Junction Bus Stop
    • Location: At the “beginning” of Allen Avenue, where it meets Obafemi Awolowo Way.
    • Details: This stop connects Allen to the main Awolowo Way transport route. You can easily disembark here and walk to the Area ‘F’ Police Command or the Ikeja Central Mosque.
  • Agbaoku / Osho Bus Stop
    • Details: These are unofficial but universally recognized stops at the mouths of these key side streets, used by kekes and okadas (motorcycles) to drop off and pick up passengers heading to the guesthouses and bars.

Main Bus Routes & Ride-Hailing

  • Main Bus Routes: The most common routes are danfo buses originating from Oshodi, Ogba, and Berger, all converging on the Allen/Ikeja hub. The “Oshodi-Ikeja” route is one of the busiest in Lagos.
  • Keke (Tricycles): Kekes are the lifeblood of the side streets. They are essential for navigating from the main Allen Avenue to interior streets like Agbaoku, Osho, or for quick hops to Opebi and Toyin, especially to bypass traffic.
  • Ride-Hailing (Uber, Bolt): Availability is excellent, 24/7. This is one of the most reliable areas in Lagos for ride-hailing.
    • Warning: The Allen/Opebi/Toyin triangle is notorious for heavy surge pricing during peak hours (mornings and evenings) and especially on weekend nights (10 PM – 3 AM) when demand from nightlife is at its peak.

Traffic, Parking & Safety on Allen Avenue

This “on-the-ground” guide is essential for anyone visiting, driving, or working in the Allen Avenue Area.

Road & Traffic Conditions

  • Two-Way Street: Unlike nearby Toyin Street, Allen Avenue is a two-way street. This is a critical piece of information for navigation.
  • Traffic Profile: Traffic is intense.
    • Morning Peak (7:30 AM – 10:00 AM): Heavy inbound traffic as the corporate workforce arrives.
    • Evening Peak (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Severe gridlock, especially heading towards the Allen Roundabout, as the entire corporate workforce attempts to leave at the same time. The roundabout itself often becomes a bottleneck.
    • Nightlife Traffic (Fri/Sat, 10 PM onwards): The side streets (Agbaoku, Osho) become congested with cars parking and maneuvering for the bars and clubs.

Parking (The Area’s Biggest Challenge)

  • Parking is a nightmare. This cannot be overstated. There is no legal, dedicated public street parking. The sidewalks are for pedestrians and are often blocked by vendors.
  • Bank Parking: Banks have large parking lots, but they are strictly for banking customers and are often guarded. You cannot park here to visit another business.
  • Paid Lots: The best and safest option. Malls (like Alade Mall) and some corporate buildings offer paid parking. There are also a few private, stand-alone paid lots on the side streets.
  • Side Street Parking: This is what most people do, and it’s highly problematic. Parking on Agbaoku, Osho, or other residential streets often blocks residents, clogs the roads, and is not guaranteed to be secure.
  • LASTMA Warning: DO NOT PARK ILLEGALLY. Allen Avenue is a zero-tolerance, high-enforcement zone for LASTMA (Lagos State Traffic Management Authority). Double-parking or parking on the curb will get your vehicle towed within minutes, leading to a significant fine and a full day wasted retrieving it.
  • Recommendation: It is strongly recommended to use Uber, Bolt, or a hired driver when visiting Allen Avenue. The cost of the ride is a tiny fraction of the stress, time, and potential fines associated with parking.

Safety & Walkability

  • Daytime: The street is very busy, crowded, and generally safe to walk. However, the “walkability” is poor. Sidewalks are often uneven, broken, or completely taken over by vendors, forcing pedestrians to walk on the edge of the busy road.
  • Nighttime: The main Allen Avenue is well-lit and populated with private security (from banks) and people, which provides a level of safety.
    • Side Street (Agbaoku/Osho): These streets are also busy at night but have a more “rowdy” and “raw” energy. While generally safe due to the crowds, it is not an area to be careless. Be mindful of your surroundings, avoid flashing valuables, and be wary of pickpockets or overly aggressive touts.
  • General Advice: Keep your phone and wallet secure. Be cautious at ATMs, especially at night.

Near Allen Avenue

If you are on Allen Avenue and need a major facility that isn’t located directly on it, here is a quick guide.

  • Nearest Major Hospital (Public):
    • Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)
    • Location: On Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way (approx. 5-7 min drive).
  • Nearest Major Hospital (Private):
    • Reddington Hospital (Ikeja GRA)
    • Location: On Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA (approx. 5-7 min drive).
  • Nearest Major Market:
    • Computer Village
    • Location: On Medical Road / Otigba Street (approx. 5-10 min walk from the Allen/Awolowo junction). The largest IT market in West Africa.
    • Ikeja City Mall (ICM)
    • Location: On Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa (approx. 10-min drive). This is the main modern shopping mall (Shoprite, cinema, etc.).
  • Nearest Police Station:
    • Area ‘F’ Police Command, Ikeja
    • Location: On Obafemi Awolowo Way (approx. 2-min drive or 5-min walk from the start of Allen).

Allen Avenue Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the main postal code for Allen Avenue?

A: The most common postal code for Allen Avenue is 100281. We have a full street-by-street directory on this page for 100% accuracy.

What is the postal code for Agbaoku Street in the Allen Avenue Area?

The postal code for Agbaoku Street is 100281. You can find it and all other minor streets in our directory table above.

What is the postal code for Kafi Street?

Kafi Street, which connects Allen Avenue to Obafemi Awolowo Way, uses the postal code 100271.

What banks are on Allen Avenue?

Allen Avenue is a major financial hub with nearly every bank, including Zenith Bank, GTBank, Access Bank, UBA, First Bank, FCMB, and Fidelity Bank. You can see a full list in our Business Directory on this page.

What LGA is Allen Avenue in?

Allen Avenue is in the Opebi District, which is part of Ikeja Local Government Area (LGA).

Is Allen Avenue a one-way street?

No, Allen Avenue is a two-way street. This is different from nearby Toyin Street, which is one-way.

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