Andrew Wilkinson Thomas(1856- 1924) Auctioneer, Businessman & Philanthropist

Andrew Wilkinson Thomas(1856- 1924) Auctioneer, Businessman, Philanthropist & Nationalist.

Born in Oyo the grandson of the legendary Alaafin Abiodun, he attended CMS Grammar School Lagos. His working life started in the Colonial Civil Service in Lagos. At age 35 he resigned to become a Licensed Auctioneer- one of the pioneers.

At the outbreak of World War I, he secured a huge commission to auction all the German owned assets in what became Nigeria making a fortune in the process. He later diversified his business into property and shipping. 

He built the first three-storey building in Lagos- 'Ebun House' (Petesi Anduru)a 40 room palatial mansion.

He championed the need for indigenous leadership in Nigeria. At the time of his death in 1924 he left over 40 properties and an estate in excess of £100000. The youngest of his 13 children was the prominent Pre-independence politician the late Chief Bode Thomas.

photo: The Colourful Black Auctioneer - Biography of Andrew W Thomas (1856-1924)

Credit: Bimbola Babarinde/ Nostalgia Project.

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