Lekki Phase 1 used to be the new option. In 2026 it is the default — the neighbourhood most younger expats, tech workers and creative professionals end up choosing over Ikoyi or VI. The reasons are practical and the lifestyle has become distinct.
Why Lekki Won
Better apartment stock, newer restaurants, and a genuine walkable cafe culture that does not exist anywhere else in Lagos. The buildings are modern, the roads are straighter, and most services expats need are clustered within a ten-minute radius of the roundabout.
See also: The Expat's Guide to Living in Lagos.
The Daily Lifestyle
Morning workouts at one of the new gyms, coffee at a cafe that would not feel out of place in Lisbon, work-from-home afternoons, dinners at one of the neighbourhood restaurants, and private events on Saturdays. Lekki Phase 1 feels more like a normal international city than any other part of Lagos.
Keep reading: Victoria Island vs Ikoyi: Where Expats Actually Live in Lagos.
Private Events in Lekki
Most of the best private events in the neighbourhood happen at rooftop apartments and residential compounds. The host scene is strong because the expat density creates demand. Whispers is the tool most new Lekki hosts use to run invite-only events without the old headache.