Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL) has concluded a three-week series of events marking the 60th anniversary of Cocoa House, West Africa’s first skyscraper, with a grand finale held at the landmark tower in Ibadan.

The anniversary programme featured a commemorative balloon release on July 30, an anniversary lecture hosted by DAWN Commission on August 14, a health walk and charity outreach on August 15, a youth engagement with OICL’s Group Managing Director on August 16, and culminated with Tuesday’s celebration attended by shareholder state representatives, board members, subsidiaries, industry stakeholders, and partners.

Speaking at the event, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, Chairman of OICL, described Cocoa House as a bold product of vision and prosperity. “Cocoa House was born of vision at the very height of Nigeria’s cocoa boom. The leaders of the Western Region dared to dream of a commercial tower that would stand as a symbol of prosperity and modernity. Since then, Odu’a Investment has preserved its value, kept it functional for tenants and partners, and modernized it to meet evolving demands,” he said.

OICL’s GMD, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, emphasized the tower’s enduring symbolism. “Cocoa House is our talking drum; it calls us to remember who we are. She is our oriki in stone and glass, telling the world of a people who could plant cocoa and harvest skyscrapers,” he remarked, adding that the anniversary was not merely a celebration of time but a reaffirmation of a founding vision.

One of the highlights of the finale was a panel discussion on “The Evolution of High-Rise Buildings in Nigeria,” moderated by Architect Femi Agboola of FMA Architects Limited, with insights from leading experts including Hakeem Ogunniran, ESV Bashir Oladunni, and Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola. The session explored the architectural and economic significance of skyscrapers in Nigeria’s urban development.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (representing Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu), Dr. Oluseye Oyeleye (DG, DAWN Commission), Chief Mrs. Onikepo Akande (former Minister of Trade), and Mr. Adewale Raji (former OICL GMD), all of whom commended OICL for sustaining Cocoa House as a beacon of indigenous enterprise.

Reaffirming its custodial role, OICL stated its commitment to preserving Cocoa House while upgrading its facilities and positioning it as a continuing symbol of economic resilience and regional pride.