In the middle of Lagos Island, where traffic, trade and history collide, a quiet transformation is underway.
Tinubu Fountain Park, once choked by dirt and fading into the background of daily hustle, is being rebuilt to become what its managers call Lagos’ first “smart park”.
The project, led by Corner 47 Group, the facility managers of the historic site, officially began in 2024. But on Wednesday, the group pulled back the curtain and unveiled the full vision at a press briefing in Lagos.
For Gbolahan Ogundimu Odusanya, Chief Executive Officer of Corner 47 Group and Facility Manager of the park, the journey started with a directive. “This project began with a direct call from the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dr Tokunbo Wahab, directing us to proceed to LASPARK for relevant approvals,” he said.
What followed was nine months of paperwork, engagements and clearances. The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, gave provisional approval and walked Corner 47 through the process of getting sign-offs from other Ministries, Departments and Agencies. “That is how serious this administration is about due process,” Odusanya noted.
The result is a design that goes beyond beautification. The proposed smart park will have improved lighting, CCTV surveillance, walkways, seating facilities and 24-hour security. But it will also teach. Odusanya said the plan includes historical displays and signage to help children and adults understand the story of Lagos. “Functionally, we are looking at proper lighting, CCTV, walkways, seating and 24-hour security. Educationally, there will be historical displays and signage to teach children and adults about Lagos history,” he explained.
He was clear that Tinubu Fountain Park is not just green space. “This is not just a park. It is a monument with historical significance—a place that tells the story of commerce, culture and people that shaped Lagos,” he said.
When Corner 47 took over, the reality on ground was grim. “When I got there, there was so much dirt on the park. We had to start from the point of restoring the environment and giving the place a new look,” Odusanya recalled. The team began with clearing, cleaning and restoring dignity to the monument before moving to structural upgrades.
The project is being aligned with the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES+ Agenda, with emphasis on social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance. It will also serve as an information hub for Lagos State Government activities and programmes.
Funding will be a partnership. Corner 47 will contribute 40 percent of the cost, while corporate organizations are expected to provide the remaining 60 percent through CSR, branding and service partnerships. Wi-Fi providers, for example, can come in. “Those who would give Wi-Fi would be part of the funding, as people would download what the organisation is selling,” Odusanya said. He projected that the investment could be recovered within one year through corporate branding and partnerships.
There will also be a strong media and digital presence. “We will have a good media presence for the place and anything people want to know about Lagos State Government would be made available through the park,” he added.
Security is another key pillar. Corner 47 has engaged traders around the park on the need to keep walkways and public spaces free, in line with Lagos State law. They have also worked with KAI Marshals, who Odusanya said support within their capacity but cannot provide dedicated round-the-clock cover due to staffing.
The solution being proposed is to bring in the Nigerian Legion. “Why Legionnaires? Because they are trained in discipline and orderliness. This also delivers on social inclusion by giving our veterans dignified work while protecting a public asset,” he said. The arrangement will be done in partnership with relevant government authorities.
Also present at the briefing were the organisation’s Director of Logistics, Abideen Kolade Lawal and Manager of Tinubu Fountain Square and Corner47 Group, Lawrence Muna.
Odusanya said the renovated park will be open for excursions, relaxation and public events, with commissioning expected in the coming days. His appeal to Lagosians was simple: “Protect the park. Respect the law. Let us build a Smart Lagos together.”
He thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting the project, describing it as part of the legacy the current administration will leave behind. “This is one of the legacies Mr Governor will be leaving for the incoming administration; a Lagos we can all be proud of,” he said.
Corner 47’s vision, he said, is to return Tinubu Fountain Park to what it was meant to be: a safe, functional and historically relevant public space at the heart of Lagos Island. A place where history is remembered, where people can rest, and where technology helps keep watch.
When the lights come on and the cameras start rolling, Lagos Island will have more than a fountain. It will have a story, told in light, in stone, and now, in smart infrastructure.
