Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria and one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The latest reports estimate the population at 21 million, making Lagos the largest city in Africa. Lagos is also known as Eko in Yoruba language and it is affectionately called »Gidi« or »Las Gidi« as a form of slang by the younger generation. It is famous throughout Africa for its music scene, which has given birth to a variety of styles such us highlife, juju, fuji, afrobeat, and Nigerian hip hop. Lagos is a place that offers you an opportunity to be all that you can. |
By the late 15th century Lagos Island had been settled by Yoruba fishermen and hunters, who called it Oko. From the late 16th century to the mid-19th century, the area was dominated by the Kingdom of Benin, which called it Eko. The Portuguese first landed on Lagos Island in 1472. Trade developed slowly, however, until the Portuguese were granted a slaving monopoly a century later. The local obas (kings) enjoyed good relations with the Portuguese, who called the island Onim (and later Lagos) and who established a flourishing slave trade. British attempts to suppress the slave trade culminated in 1851 in a naval attack on Lagos and the deposition of the oba. The slave trade continued to grow until Lagos came under British control in 1861.
Originally governed as a British crown colony, Lagos was part of the United Kingdom's West African Settlements from 1866 to 1874, when it became part of the Gold Coast Colony (modern Ghana). In 1886 it again achieved separate status under a British governor, and in 1906 it was amalgamated with the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. When Southern and Northern Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914, Lagos was made the capital of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. In 1954 most of the hinterland was incorporated into the region of Western Nigeria, while the city itself was designated as federal territory. In 1960 Lagos became the capital of independent Nigeria. Control of its hinterland was returned to the city in 1967 with the creation of Lagos State. After 1975 a new national capital, centrally situated near Abuja, was developed to replace Lagos, which by then suffered from slums, environmental pollution, and traffic congestion. Lagos was the capital city of Nigeria between 1914 and 1991.
The topography of Lagos is dominated by its system of islands, sandbars, and lagoons. The city itself sprawls over four main islands: Lagos, Iddo, Ikoyi, and Victoria, which are connected to each other and to the mainland by a system of bridges. All the territory is low-lying, the highest point on Lagos Island being only 7 metres above sea level. The original settlement on the northwestern tip of Lagos Island is now a slum area characterized by narrow streets, poor housing, and overcrowding. The main business district occupies Lagos Island's southwestern shore and contains an increasing number of multistorey buildings. This is the heart of the city, the centre of commerce, finance, administration, and education. The principal manufacturing industries in Lagos include automobile and radio assembly, food and beverage processing, metalworks, and the production of paints and soap. Textile, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical manufacturing are also economically important.
Most of the population lives on the mainland and most industries are located there. Lagos is known for its music and night life, which used to be located in areas around Yaba and Surulere. In recent years more night clubs have sprung on the island, particularly on Victoria Island. Lagos is linked by many highways and bridges. It has one of the largest and most extensive road networks in West Africa. Highways are usually congested in peak hours, due in part to the geography of the city, as well as to its explosive population growth. Third Mainland Bridge, which connects Lagos Island to the mainland, is with 11.8 km the longest bridge in Africa.
About an hour from Lagos, the ancient town of Badagry is located. Before its existance, people lived along the Coast of Gberefu and this area later gave birth to the town of Badagry, which was founded around 1425. Its protected harbour led the town becoming a key port in the export of slaves to America. Enslaved Africans were taken on a trail half a mile across the Gberefu Island to the beach, passing a well where they would have paused to drink. At the end of the trail is a statue of two people linked by chains around their necks. Under a palm tree next to a wooden sign saying: »Point of no return«. It is reported that no fewer than 550,000 African slaves were exported to America from Badagry.
60 years ago, less than 300,000 people lived in Lagos, and everyone used to say Lagos was gorgeous. Now it is more like 20 million, and most people agree it is suffering from a few growing pains. People learnt to be smart and resourceful. They are hustlers, because in Lagos, nothing is wasted and everything is an opportunity. It is a city that never sleeps. It is a place that is filled with inspiration, a melting point for so many different cultures. Lagos is a place you can call home wherever you come from.
Originally governed as a British crown colony, Lagos was part of the United Kingdom's West African Settlements from 1866 to 1874, when it became part of the Gold Coast Colony (modern Ghana). In 1886 it again achieved separate status under a British governor, and in 1906 it was amalgamated with the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. When Southern and Northern Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914, Lagos was made the capital of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. In 1954 most of the hinterland was incorporated into the region of Western Nigeria, while the city itself was designated as federal territory. In 1960 Lagos became the capital of independent Nigeria. Control of its hinterland was returned to the city in 1967 with the creation of Lagos State. After 1975 a new national capital, centrally situated near Abuja, was developed to replace Lagos, which by then suffered from slums, environmental pollution, and traffic congestion. Lagos was the capital city of Nigeria between 1914 and 1991.
The topography of Lagos is dominated by its system of islands, sandbars, and lagoons. The city itself sprawls over four main islands: Lagos, Iddo, Ikoyi, and Victoria, which are connected to each other and to the mainland by a system of bridges. All the territory is low-lying, the highest point on Lagos Island being only 7 metres above sea level. The original settlement on the northwestern tip of Lagos Island is now a slum area characterized by narrow streets, poor housing, and overcrowding. The main business district occupies Lagos Island's southwestern shore and contains an increasing number of multistorey buildings. This is the heart of the city, the centre of commerce, finance, administration, and education. The principal manufacturing industries in Lagos include automobile and radio assembly, food and beverage processing, metalworks, and the production of paints and soap. Textile, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical manufacturing are also economically important.
Most of the population lives on the mainland and most industries are located there. Lagos is known for its music and night life, which used to be located in areas around Yaba and Surulere. In recent years more night clubs have sprung on the island, particularly on Victoria Island. Lagos is linked by many highways and bridges. It has one of the largest and most extensive road networks in West Africa. Highways are usually congested in peak hours, due in part to the geography of the city, as well as to its explosive population growth. Third Mainland Bridge, which connects Lagos Island to the mainland, is with 11.8 km the longest bridge in Africa.
About an hour from Lagos, the ancient town of Badagry is located. Before its existance, people lived along the Coast of Gberefu and this area later gave birth to the town of Badagry, which was founded around 1425. Its protected harbour led the town becoming a key port in the export of slaves to America. Enslaved Africans were taken on a trail half a mile across the Gberefu Island to the beach, passing a well where they would have paused to drink. At the end of the trail is a statue of two people linked by chains around their necks. Under a palm tree next to a wooden sign saying: »Point of no return«. It is reported that no fewer than 550,000 African slaves were exported to America from Badagry.
60 years ago, less than 300,000 people lived in Lagos, and everyone used to say Lagos was gorgeous. Now it is more like 20 million, and most people agree it is suffering from a few growing pains. People learnt to be smart and resourceful. They are hustlers, because in Lagos, nothing is wasted and everything is an opportunity. It is a city that never sleeps. It is a place that is filled with inspiration, a melting point for so many different cultures. Lagos is a place you can call home wherever you come from.