Epe botanical garden, or what is left of it

natural geometry

Last century, there was a large botanical garden near Epe called Muritala Muhammad, after one of the presidents of Nigeria (south of the Lagoon). It had several buildings, some of them with interesting architectural design: a large greenhouse, a wide circular hall supported by a single central pillar, a large room with a piano and then several other office buildings and a guesthouse.

The style of construction reminds of the 1930s or perhaps 1950s. All with concrete and plaster, large windows made of several horizontal glass pieces that could be inclined like shades to let the air circulate like a natural air-conditionner.

there used to be a house

It was a hot and sunny morning, we came from Lagos through the Lekki expressway. About 5 or 10km before the Epe bridge, we turned right into a sandy road that led in the bush up to the gate of the botanical garden area. The relationship between Humans and Nature is a competitive one. Humans are happy to conquer and domesticate Nature, which can be witnessed everyday in Lagos. At the same time, Nature is insatiably working to reconquer the place neglected or abandoned by Humans. That was the thought that crossed my mind as we approached the first dilapidated concrete buildings progressively being overgrown by greenery and trees. A modern ruin lost in the jungle, not old enough for the concrete to have dissolved under the inexorable pressure of heat and humidity. A simple building without a roof was standing next to several rows of concrete tables covered with dry leaves.

As we drove further on, up to the main set of buildings, large trees were creating a pleasant shade.
The air was scented with the perfume of flowers and plants left to grow as they pleased.

like in Angkor Wat

The remains of what must have been a nice group of buildings was still exuding the atmosphere of the past, maybe something of a colonial past. One could imagine how people must have lived here despite the dilapidation of time and abandon. It was certainly a weekend destination, a get-away from the city, if we consider the concrete picnic tables next to what must have been a guesthouse.

the circular hall

An association is still hoping to revive this nostalgic place, they've got work to do!

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