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Trading places: Lagos becomes first African city to have its own version of MonopolyMayfair makes way for Banana Island, Makoko replaces Old Kent RoadOther squares include Nigerian Stock Exchange and notorious Kirikiri jailLagos State Government hopes it will educate public about road safetyOne Chance card says: 'You've been caught driving against traffic. Report for psychiatric evaluation'
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UPDATED:
18:30 GMT, 14 December 2012
The makers of Monopoly have advanced to Lagos in Nigeria to launch the first African city edition of the famous board game.
Instead of Mayfair or Boardwalk, players will have the chance to buy Banana Island, a prestigious development where properties in the real world fetch millions.
The cheapest square – the Old Kent Road of London or the Mediterranean Avenue of the U.S. version – is a fishing slum on stilts known as Makoko.
All go in Nigeria: Promoter Fiona Donald holds a Lagos edition of Monopoly at the launch of the first African city version of the game
Hoping for a big number: Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fasholarolls (centre), rolls a dice during the presentation of the Lagos-themed Monopoly board game
The Nigerian Stock Exchange, which replaces London's 'Super Tax: Pay 100', and Murtala Muhammed International Airport also feature, while traditional favourites such as the Chance and Community Chest cards keep pride of place on the iconic board.
The 'go to jail' card has been adapted to say 'go directly to Kirikiri jail', the city's maximum-security prison.
The Lagos State Government was heavily involved in bringing the game to Nigeria not just to promote the country, but also as a means of educating the public about road safety, it was reported by CNN.
Many pedestrians are killed in the heavily congested city every year while trying to run across roads.
Rich and poor: Banana Island replaces Boardwalk from the U.S. version, while Makoko is the Lagos equivalent to London's Old Kent Road
Goodbye Mayfair: The most expensive square on the board was chosen as Banana Island, an artificially created island where only the richest live
Illustrious: On Banana Island (pictured) properties can fetch as much as $8million (4.9million)
Poor man's property: The cheapest square on the board is Makoko, a fishing slum on stilts
American's Mediterranean Avenue: Makoko established itself as a fishing village in the 18th century and now has a population nearing 100,000
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONOPOLY
In
1903, political activist Lizzie Magie invented The Landlord's Game to teach people how monopolies end up giving vast wealth
to the lucky few
In 1933, James Darrow adapted the game to make an early form of Monopoly, based on the streets of Atlantic CityIn
1941, the British Secret Service commissioned special editions for
WWII prisoners held by the Nazis which were filled with hidden maps,
compasses and real money to help detainees escapeIn
1978, an all-chocolate edition of Monopoly was manufacturedIn
1985, the world's most expensive Monopoly set – worth around $2million –
was produced. It is made of 23-carat gold, with rubies and sapphires
atop the chimneys of the houses and hotelsMonopoly is now the most played commercial board game in the world, enjoyed by more than a billion people since its invention
One Chance card, for example says: 'For using the overhead pedestrian bridge over Ikorodu Road, move forward three spaces'.
According to the BBC another reads: 'You've been caught driving against traffic. Report for psychiatric evaluation.'
Speaking ahead of the launch in Lagos City Hall, Nimi Akinkugbe, the head of Bestman Games which is producing the authorised Lagos edition, told the Nigerian Guardian that the choice for the Mayfair spot was a 'hot topic'.
The eventual winner, Banana Island, has
property which would rival that of the prestigious London district, with
some selling for $8million (4.9million).
That square and many others have been sponsored by businesses. But no-one wanted the cheapest.
/12/14/article-2248198-168432F1000005DC-723_634x331.jpg” width=”634″ height=”331″ alt=”Trading places: Other squares include the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which replaces London's 'Super tax: Pay 100' and Bourdillon Road instead of Park Lane” class=”blkBorder” />
Trading places: Other squares include the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which replaces London's 'Super tax: Pay 100' and Bourdillon Road instead of Park Lane
Prime real estate: Bus Rapid Transit Terminal, Tiamiyu Savage St and Lagos Yacht Club are among some of the other destinations that feature
Not just a game: The Lagos State Government was keen to bring famous game to Lagos in part to educate the public about road safety, as can been seen with this Chance card
Iconic: The London version of Monopoly, which was originally developed in Atlanta in the U.S. in 1933
While Lagos is the first African city to get its own version of the game, Morocco and South Africa already have their own country-wide edition.
There is also a Kenyan property game which resembles Monopoly, set in Nairobi, called Kumiliki, which means 'to own' in Kiswahili.
Monopoly was developed in the U.S., originally based on streets in Atlantic City, in 1933.
A London version of the game was produced two years later.
HOW THE LAGOS BOARD COMPARES TO U.S. AND BRITISH VERSIONS
BRITISH VERSION
Old Kent Road
Whitechapel Road
The Angel Islington
Euston Road
Pentonville Road
Pall Mall
Whitehall
Northumberland Avenue
Bow Street
Marlborough Street
Vine Street
The Strand
Fleet Street
Trafalgar Square
Leicester Square
Coventry Street
Piccadilly
Regent Street
Oxford Street
Bond Street
Park Lane
Mayfair
King's Cross Station
Marylebone Station
Fenchurch St Station
Liverpool Street Station
Electric Company
Water Works
Go To Jail
U.S. VERSION
Mediterranean Avenue
Baltic Avenue
Oriental Avenue
Vermont Avenue
Connecticut Avenue
St Charles Place
States Avenue
Virginia Avenue
St James Place
Tennessee Avenue
New York Avenue
Kentucky Avenue
Indiana Avenue
Illinois Avenue
Atlantic Avenue
Ventnor Avenue
Marvin Gardens
Pacific Avenue
North Carolina Avenue
Pennsylvania Avenue
Park Place
Boardwalk
Reading Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
B&O Railroad
Short Line
Electric Company
Water Works
Go to Jail
LAGOS VERSION
Makoko
Agege
Agidingbi
Ikeja
Sabo-Yaba
Admiralty Way
Admiralty Circle plaza
Palms Shopping Mall
Mansard Place
King's College
Awolowo Road
Muson Centre
Lagos Yacht Club
Tiamiyu Savage Street
Palomo Shopping Centre
35 Marina Street
Silverbird Cinemas
Ikoyi
635 Akin Adesola St
Mike Adenuga Close
Bourdillon Road
Banana Island
Iddo Terminal
Tincan Island Port
BRT Bus Terminal
MMIA
Electric Company
Water Works
Go To Jail