[2] During the rapid urbanization of Lagos, the city expanded to the west of its lagoon, which included present-day Surulere.

In addition to the local settlers of Lagos, during the nineteenth century, various emancipated African Brazilians and Cubans, who were referred to as Aguda or Saros, settled in Surulere.

Nigerians from the Northern region initially ended at Idi-Araba, while many people from the eastern part were in various quarters but predominantly at Obele, Ikate, and Aguda areas.

[5] Surulere is home to the 55,000-spectator capacity Lagos National Stadium built in 1972 for the 1973 All-Africa Games, now abandoned and dilapidated..[6] However, in preparation for the 2009 Under 17 FIFA World Cup the facilities were improved, and the event kicked off successfully in October 2009.

The main commercial streets in Surulere are Western Avenue, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Adelabu, Ogunalana Drive, and Aguda, while various open markets are dispersed in different neighborhoods.