Costain, one of the busiest bus-stops in the commercial city of Lagos, is a very important link between the Lagos Island and the Mainland. While it is not the only link, it is some sort of a landing bay for many businessmen and corporate workers commuting to and fro the Mainland and the Island, the Central Business District of Lagos State, on a daily basis.

At Costain, you are sure to pick a bus to CMS (on the Island), Ojuelegba, Oyingbo, Orile, Ijora/Apapa, and many parts of Surulere.

Many may not know this, but the bus-stop takes its name from Costain West Africa Plc, a building and civil engineering company founded in Nigeria in 1948 and the first building and civil engineering firm to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The company, whose substantial shareholdings were held by John Holt Plc, was founded as a subsidiary of Richard Costain. At some point in its history, Costain employed 5,000 staff across Nigeria, according to Dr. Newton Jibunoh, the first African Managing Director of Costain West Africa.

In its heyday, Costain executed many high-profile projects in Nigeria, such as the 140-metre high NECOM House (the tallest building in Nigeria), the University College Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Bata Shoe factory, Phase II Nigerian Telecommunication System, Central Bank Enugu, Apapa factory of Flour Mills of Nigeria, Ijora Power Station and extension of Apapa Wharf, Bishop’s Court along the Marina, Lagos, as well as many highways, roads, building and civil works projects both in private and public sectors. The firm was also involved in the construction of Wuya Bridge over Kaduna River at Bida and Shell estates in Port Harcourt.

As you make your way out of the bus-stop towards Alaka, the Costain West Africa Plc building can still be seen standing elegantly by your right.

Recently, a new bridge was constructed at Costain bus-stop to pave the way for the laying of tracks for the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway project. While the bridge project lasted, the popular bus-stop was temporarily relocated to an open space in front of the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, sparking confusion and disorganising both traffic and commercial activities.

Not too far from the bus-stop is the Iponri Shopping Centre, a great place for a variety of affordable but quality household goods, gift souvenirs, kitchen utensils, clothing, foodstuff and drinks, home decors, stationery, and many other items, both retail and wholesale. The snag, though, is parking, which can be chaotic and one has to pay for a parking space.

Chisco Transport, one of the leading transport companies in Nigeria established in 1978 by Chief Dr. Chidi Anyaegbu, also has its head office within the vicinity.

When next you stop at Costain bus-stop, be sure to look out for the company that gave the bus-stop its name and pay your respects.