Breaking News: King of Style, Ben Ikimi, Bows Out in Grandeur
By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo
Lagos high society has been thrown into mourning following the passing of one of its brightest lights — Ben Ikimi, the younger brother of flamboyant politician and architect Chief Tom Ikimi. Known for his refined taste, effortless elegance, and appetite for the finer things of life, Ben lived as he pleased — lavishly, boldly, and unapologetically.
For those who knew him, Ben Ikimi was not just a man — he was a lifestyle. He carried himself with the ease of old money and the flair of new ambition. His presence at any gathering instantly elevated the atmosphere — his tailored suits, gold cufflinks, and the faint trail of exotic cologne that announced him before he spoke. He was one of those rare Lagos men who could blend charm, wit, and grace without ever seeming to try.
In the late 1990s, when Lagos nightlife was beginning to find its true rhythm, Ben Ikimi changed the game with his creation of the legendary Silver Door Night Club on Victoria Island. It wasn’t just a nightclub — it was an institution. The Silver Door was where Nigeria’s crème de la crème came to unwind; a place where deals were whispered over bottles of Dom Pérignon and laughter echoed into the early hours.
Membership was exclusive — ₦1 million in cash — a figure that spoke volumes at a time when the naira had real weight. Yet, the city’s elite scrambled to be part of it. Bank MDs, insurance czars, oil barons, and visiting expatriates jostled for entry, while beautiful women from across the country dreamt of catching a glimpse — or a favor — from the moneyed men who made The Silver Door their playground.
Champagne was the anthem, and Ben was the maestro.
Behind the velvet ropes and sparkling chandeliers of Silver Door was a man who understood beauty and craftsmanship. As a builder and interior decorator, Ben’s eye for detail was legendary. He designed spaces that exuded both comfort and class — his own residence on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi stood as a showpiece of taste long before the high-rises took over that iconic stretch.
His circle of friends read like a who’s who of Nigeria’s business and social elite — Musa Dede, Greg Uanseru, Osaro Onaiwu, Osa Osunde, Tony Elumelu, and many others who admired not just his style but his loyalty and humor.
Even as Lagos evolved and the nightlife he once defined transformed, Ben Ikimi remained a symbol of an era when elegance still mattered and wealth had personality.
His death leaves a void — not just among his family and friends, but in the annals of Lagos’ social history. The King of Style has kicked the bucket, yes — but the legend of Ben Ikimi will linger in the champagne-scented memories of those privileged to have known him.
He came. He saw. He styled.
And now, he rests.
By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo,
The Storyteller,
08109975621