Located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Mapo Hall is a colonial building also known as the official City hall of Ibadan and Oyo state. It has witnessed lots of cultural and political events. It was built by the British Government during the colonial era. The ancient hall is located in the centre of Ibadan and is visible from almost every part of the city. Mapo hall has become a popular landmark in Ibadan and one of the most important places to visit. Over the years, Mapo Hall has become a symbol of love, strength and unity.
It was designed and constructed by engineer Robert Jones. Officially Robert A. Jones (1882–1949), “Taffy” was a Welsh man who worked in southern Nigeria between 1910 and 1944 and was seconded to Ibadan Native Authority in 1923 as a road engineer, where he remained until his retirement to Wales. He is also ascribed as being the engineer who built Manor House in Iseyin.
The cost of construction was £24,000 and construction took four years between 1925 and 1929. The foundation stone was laid in June 1925 by Capt. W. A. Ross (The Resident, Oyo Province) and it was completed and declared open by His Excellency, Sir Graeme Thomson during the traditional leadership of Oba Shiyanbola Ladugbolu, the Alaafin of Oyo and Oyewole, the Baale of Ibadan.
The Neoclassical Architecture of the hall, is a constant reminder of early British influence in the administration of Ibadan as part of the Oyo Province. The hall serves as an important landmark that could be seen from most part of the city, especially from the other six hills between which the city spreads out. Labour was provided by the natives, probably by the prisoners held here as tax defaulters and other slaves.
It was renovated in 2006 amid some controversy and the renovated hall was commissioned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on 6 September 2007.
Over the years, the hall had played host to major political and social events in the city, shaping the socio-political direction of Nigeria in general.