Journey through the golden days of Kingsway Stores and discover how this iconic retailer shaped Nigeria’s shopping culture—and why its memory still lingers today.
This might be a bit of a nostalgic one.
I don’t know about today’s kids, but growing up in the early 2000s, the reward for good behaviour was often a trip to Tantalizers, Sweet Sensation or Mr. Biggs. Even as just an after-church Sunday treat, it was to die for. It was a time when a simple promise could make a child’s day, a promise that could turn a kid’s frown upside down. I don’t know if it was the food, the very idea of just going out for fast food or the side appeals (I loved me some Supa Strikas, not to mention that the ‘Mr. Biggs’ we frequented had a kick-ass playground), but whatever it was? It was everything.
It turns out it’s not just a late 90s-2000s kids thing. For the older Nigerians in the room with us, the statement, “If you’re good, we’ll go to Kingsway.” was all it took to right any wrong. Seriously. And it wasn’t just the children either.
For many Nigerians, Kingsway wasn’t just a store—it was an adventure that offered a little bit of magic—a place where the air smelled of fresh pastries and the excitement of being pampered. If you’ve never heard of it, there’s a reason why: it’s out of business. Bummer right?
Even if you, like many of us, never got to see it firsthand, the stories from those who did reveal a special chapter in Nigeria’s history. And here’s the twist: without Kingsway’s glory and eventual fall, our bustling shopping malls wouldn’t even exist today. Let’s stroll down memory lane together and see how this beloved store shaped Nigeria’s retail history.
The Rise of Kingsway Stores: A Symbol of Luxury and Modernity
A Slice of the Foreign Life
Kingsway Stores opened its doors in 1948, courtesy of the United African Company (UAC), and quickly became the place to be. It was the first modern departmental store in British West Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. Many who shopped there describe it as an experience like no other— rows of shelves stocked with goodies from overseas, cool air-conditioned aisles, and a touch of Europe right into Lagos (and many other locations in the country). For families, a trip to Kingsway felt like stepping into a new reality—one where everything had a shine to it.
Being at Kingsway didn’t just mean you were going shopping but also that you were showing up to show out. This was where you’d find the rarest treats, from British canned goods to stylish fabrics that couldn’t be found anywhere else. And at the time when colonial rule was in its heyday, you could say this brought the average Nigeria a lot closer to the Western World.
Quality You Could Rely On
Back then, parents had a saying: “Ohun tí wọ́n fi n kè omo wa lója Kingsway,” which means “what you use to care for a child is in Kingsway.” Like I said before, it wasn’t just a store—it was where you got the good stuff.
From all accounts, it was one of the things that made you feel like you were taking care of your family right. Parents would casually drop the name Kingsway to remind you where the best of the best came from. And if you were lucky enough to get a snack there, like their famous meat pies or scotch eggs, you knew you were in for a treat.
A Store of Memories
Oh, those memories! Many still talk about the best meat pies and sausages they ever had—yes, even better than what you can get now. “Where are those shops now? Those shops produced the best meat pies and sausages I have ever tasted in my life and probably would ever taste in my life,” Victor, who grew up in the 70s, fondly recalls.
Who could forget how the staff always greeted you with a smile or the clean and inviting atmosphere that made the place the symbol of affluence? For many, those trips to Kingsway are still among their fondest childhood memories.
Dominance in the 1960s and 70s: When Kingsway Was King
The Heart of Family Time and Social Life
During the 1960s and 70s, Kingsway was at its peak. It wasn’t just a store; it was a social hub. Nigerians gathered at Kingsway to shop, eat, and socialize. Olawunmi shares what it was like: “It was only at the Kingsway and Leventis stores that you got to see Santa during Christmas. They actually used to give nicer and more meaningful gifts then, compared to these days.”
Kingsway hosted events, launched new products, and served as a melting pot where people from all walks of life could enjoy a bit of modernity. It was the closest many Nigerians got to the feel of London’s West End.
As for Mary, “I remember when I was a kid if I started crying unnecessarily, my mum would say she would take me to Kingsway. That’s the only place you will see how to pamper your child.” Usman shares a similar memory, recalling the joy of visiting Kingsway in Ibadan with his family and riding the elevator, an exciting experience that felt like a rare luxury in those days. It’s easy to see why Kingsway represented a world of excitement and modernity for Nigerian families.
A Glimpse of Europe
Kingsway’s allure went beyond just its products. For many, it offered a taste of the Western world in many unusual ways. “It was like a small feeling of Europe,” recalled Frankfurt, describing the experience of riding a horse for the first time during one memorable Christmas. “We children used to go there just to ride on the staircases (escalators) too. There was always electricity (and when I think about these memories), I pity the youth nowadays. It is like they have nothing—no light, hope, or future!”.
For a generation that grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, Kingsway was a place where the modern met the magical—a brief escape from the realities of Nigeria’s shifting economy. And it kind of sucks that we don’t have anything like that anymore.
Why It Worked So Well
Kingsway’s success can be attributed to its strategic positioning and the support of UAC’s extensive network in West Africa. UAC was able to leverage its resources to secure prime real estate in major cities and maintain a steady supply chain that kept the shelves stocked with desirable products. This supply chain included imported luxury items and, over time, an increasing amount of locally sourced goods, making Kingsway a pioneer in merging foreign and local consumer cultures. It had around 13 stores at its peak, employing about 1,000 people—a retail empire by any standard at the time.
The Fall of Kingsway: Changing Times, Changing Fortunes
From Boom to Bust:
Kingsway was the place to be—until it wasn’t. In the 1980s, the good vibes hit a brick wall. Oil prices crashed, and Nigeria’s once-thriving economy hit a rough patch. Between 1981 and 1984, it went from boom to bust, shrinking faster than jeans in hot water (don’t try this, for real). Suddenly, Nigerians tightened their belts, which meant less shopping at their favourite store. Things got even messier in 1986 with the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP). It came with new import restrictions aimed at boosting local production, but it left Kingsway—a store known for its imported goodies—struggling to keep up with what customers wanted. Kingsway couldn’t stock those unique products that had once made it special.
The Vanishing Middle Class
As the economy shifted, so did the fortunes of everyday Nigerians. The middle class—Kingsway’s bread and butter—started to shrink. With the economy taking a nosedive, people just couldn’t spend like they used to. And when every naira counts, buying imported goods from Kingsway seemed less like a treat and more like a stretch. The once-loyal customers turned to local markets and cheaper options.
To their credit, Kingsway did try to pivot to local goods, but the magic just wasn’t there. Kingsway’s glamour began to fade, and by the end of the 1980s, it was time to turn off the lights for good.
The Aftermath: Kingsway’s Legacy in Today’s Retail Scene
A New Era of Malls and Supermarkets
By the end of the 1980s, Kingsway had closed most of its stores. Its collapse left a void in Nigeria’s retail space. But nature abhors a vacuum, and new players emerged to fill the gap. Local entrepreneurs and multinational investors saw the potential of modern retail in Nigeria. In the years that followed, malls like The Palms in Lagos began to spring up, offering a new shopping experience that combined the convenience of department stores with the atmosphere of leisure destinations. These malls became the new social hubs, much like Kingsway once was.
Lesson learned from Legacy
Take a walk through one of Lagos’ modern malls today, and you might catch a glimpse of what Kingsway once was—a place where you could splurge on quality items, grab a bite, or even catch the latest flick. But here’s the twist: today’s malls have learned from Kingsway’s missteps. They’ve figured out how to keep things fresh and flexible, adapting to Nigeria’s ever-changing economy. Instead of relying on just one type of product, they’ve packed in a mix of local and international brands, appealing to every shopper. This ability to adapt is exactly why they’re thriving today, while Kingsway’s glory days are now just a memory.
Yet, even with all the shiny new shopping centres, Kingsway has a special place in people’s hearts. Ask anyone who experienced its peak, and they’ll tell you all about its imported treasures. Those moments have become a nostalgic benchmark—stories of how Kingsway once gave Nigerians a little taste of Europe, right in the heart of post-colonial Lagos.
The Wrap-Up
So, the next time you’re strolling through one of Lagos’ modern shopping malls, think about Kingsway. Think about the store that taught us what it meant to be pampered, feel special, and know that there was a place where everything was just a little better.
For many Nigerians who remember Kingsway’s heyday, the modern malls might seem like a world apart. Still, they are deeply connected—an evolution that started with the rise and fall of Nigeria’s first retail giant.
Did this piece take you back in time? Share your own memories of Kingsway or your thoughts on how shopping in Nigeria has changed. And if you know someone who’d love to take this trip down memory lane, share this newsletter with them!
