Cocoa House at 60: Odu’a celebrates legacy of vision, resilience

Nike Popoola

Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL) on Tuesday marked the grand finale of the 60th anniversary of Cocoa House, West Africa’s first skyscraper and an enduring emblem of regional pride, economic foresight, and indigenous development.

The commemorative event which was held at Cocoa House in Ibadan brought together stakeholders, shareholders, government representatives, and partners to honour the building’s rich history and its transformation over six decades.

In his keynote address, the Group Chairman of OICL, Otunba ‘Bimbo Ashiru, described the 26-storey building as “a living, breathing chapter of our collective story,” conceived from the dreams of visionary leaders during Nigeria’s cocoa boom in the 1960s.

He paid tribute to the pioneers behind its construction and also honoured the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic fire of January 9, 1985. “The inferno could have been the end,” Otunba Ashiru said, “but the courage of a new generation brought it back to life, brick by brick.”

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to positioning Cocoa House as a future-ready hub by integrating sustainable practices and modern infrastructure.

Also speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, described Cocoa House as a symbol of enterprise, unity, and disciplined vision. Built in 1965 by the Western Region Government, the building remains a beacon of the Yoruba nation’s economic legacy.

Anniversary activities included a symbolic balloon release, a guest lecture in collaboration with DAWN Commission, a health walk and charity outreach, a youth hangout, and an open house at the Odu’a Museum and Hall of Fame. The finale featured the premiere of a documentary and a panel discussion on the evolution of high-rise buildings in Nigeria.

Mr. Yinusa also highlighted recent modernization efforts, including upgrades to the reception, parking facilities, and external areas, aimed at maintaining Cocoa House as both a historic monument and a thriving business hub.