AJ CitiesAbraham Adesyan Estate
A walled estate on the edge of Ajegunle, where Navy Town meets Kirikiri. One street, one club, one gate that costs ₦2,500,000.
The way in
The main gate
Armed police, a queue, Sarge's window, a salon and a clothes shop. Everyone starts here.
- Where
- North end of June 12 Street
- Shops
- Sarge's window, Palmline Unisex Salon, Gatefold Clothing
- Free entry
- Ask the police: about four in five get in
- Tickets
- ₦250 to ₦1,500, last 24 hours
The estate's main gate is at the north end of June 12 Street, and it is never quiet. Inside it, Officer Sola and Officer Tunde wait for AJ to settle them. Outside it is the waiting area: benches under a canopy, posters on every wall (a lost goat called Bobo, a sixtieth birthday, a church crusade, and Joe-Izzy on the estate radio), a parked police car with its radio up, and officers sitting in circles gisting, which is Lagos for gossiping.
By the gate is Sarge's gatehouse window, selling snacks and medicine, and beside it, outside the gate, two shops where waiting guests change their look for free: the Palmline Unisex Salon, where Tara does the hair (she lives at Iloro House, and her chair hears everything), and Gatefold Clothing, where Bode does the clothes. Round the side there is a side gate where an inspector collects ₦500 "for road".
On party nights the officers run the queue: Niyi in charge, Kemi joking, Leye asking whether anybody brought food. Show a ticket, or ask nicely. Most nights, about four in five guests who ask are let in for free.