Discover Lagos. The Biggest City in Africa. Lagos is Nigeria's largest metropolis and
Africa's second most populous, with a population of 15.3 million people in the city proper as of
2022. As of 2018, the Lagos metropolitan region had a population of around 23.5 million people,
making it Africa's largest metropolitan area. Lagos is a significant African financial capital
and is the economic core of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
Lagos is also among the top ten fastest-growing cities and urban areas in the world. The megacity
has Africa's fourth-highest GDP and one of the continent's largest and busiest seaports.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the Lagos metropolitan region is a major educational and cultural center.
Lagos was formerly a British crown colony that was part of the United Kingdom's West African
Settlements until 1874, when it was annexed by the Gold Coast Colony (modern Ghana). It was given
separate status under a British administrator in 1886, then it was merged with the Protectorate
of Southern Nigeria in 1906. When Southern and Northern Nigeria merged in 1914, Lagos became
the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria's capital. The majority of the hinterland was absorbed into
the Western Nigeria area in 1954, but the city itself was classified as federal territory.
Lagos was named the capital of independent Nigeria in 1960. With the formation of Lagos state in
1967, the metropolis regained control of its hinterland. After 1975, a new national capital,
centrally located near Abuja, was built to replace Lagos, which was plagued by slums, pollution,
and traffic congestion at the time. Stay with us as we explore Lagos, Nigeria's largest city. There
are various attractions to see and do in Lagos, as well as reasons why it is Africa's largest city.
The topography of Lagos. The city's topography is dominated
by a network of islands, sandbars, and lagoons. Lagos, Iddo (now joined to the mainland), Ikoyi
(now attached to Lagos Island), and Victoria (now the point of the Lekki Peninsula) used to
be the four main islands; however, due to land reclamation attempts over the years,
some of the original principal islands are no longer actual islands.
Some of Lagos' islands are connected to each other and to the mainland by a network of bridges. The
entire region is low-lying, with Lagos Island's highest point only 22 feet above sea level.
Population. In 2011, the UN estimated the city's population to
be 11.2 million. According to the New York Times, it now has a population of at least twenty-one
million people, surpassing Cairo as Africa's largest metropolis. Lagos is, without a doubt,
the heart of one of the world's largest urban regions, regardless of its size or definition.
Its population has increased dramatically since 1970, when it was estimated to be at 1.4 million.
According to Rice, Lagos accounts for almost a quarter of Nigeria's overall gross domestic
output. Lagos, the heart of Nigeria's modern economy, is home to many millionaires,
but Rice estimates that two-thirds of the city's residents live in slums.
Infrastructural Development. Governor Sanwo-Olu has made infrastructure
rehabilitation a priority of his administration since taking office in May of this year.
The governor has commissioned no fewer than ten infrastructure projects in the previous two
months, which has fueled the momentum. The most recent are four highways in the state's Ikoyi,
Eti-Osa Local Government Area. Thompson Avenue, Milverton, Macdonald, and Lateef Jakande Roads
were among the rehabilitated/upgraded roads that were commissioned as part of initiatives
to regenerate infrastructure across the state. Because of the economic importance of Ikoyi
as a real estate hub, the Governor indicated during the inauguration of the road projects
that his government began infrastructural renewal and upgrade/rehabilitation of the roads
and drainage projects inside the axis in July, 2020. The inauguration, according to Sanwo-Olu,
demonstrates his government's commitment to providing adequate infrastructure
and improving inhabitants' living conditions. He claimed that the freshly built roads would
increase interconnectivity, reduce bottlenecks, and alleviate the axis's periodic floods.
Cost of Living. Lagos has an average cost of living of $1245,
which is similar to the global average. It is placed 4107th out of 9294 cities
in our global ranking and second out of 33 in Nigeria. The median after-tax salary is $236,
which is sufficient to pay one month's living expenses. In the list of finest places to live
in the world, it is ranked 6338th (TOP 68 percent) and the first best city in Nigeria.
Lagos is Nigeria's largest metropolis, with a population of 14.9 million people. Living in
Lagos is 5.3 times more expensive than the average salary because they are accustomed to a developed
nation lifestyle, which is difficult and expensive to maintain in other less developed countries.
As a result, the cost of living in Lagos varies greatly between residents and expats.
Tourism. Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, stretches inland
over the Lagos Lagoon from the Gulf of Guinea. The financial core of the city, Victoria Island,
is known for its beach resorts, boutiques, and nightlife. The National Museum Lagos, located on
Lagos Island to the north, houses cultural relics and handicrafts. Freedom Park, which was formerly
a colonial-era prison but is now a prominent site for concerts and other events, is close by. There
are numerous outdoor activities to choose from. Kayaking is available at La Campagne Tropicana,
golfing is available at Ikoyi Club 1938, and horseback riding is available at Ikeja Saddle
Club. With a variety of historic sights and fun activities, including a modern marina, a nearby
zoo, and even a children's science center, the town has a youthful, enthusiastic spirit.
Visitors can also enjoy the hospitality of some outstanding cafés and eateries while wandering
Lagos' old center. Alternatively, stroll along the waterfront promenade or take a sightseeing boat to
see the incredible sea caves and grottoes that have put Lagos firmly on the tourism map of the
Algarve. Read our list of the top attractions in Lagos for more suggestions on where to go.
Cuisine. The Lagos restaurant scene
provides something for everyone, whether you're a business traveler or a tourist enthusiast.
The variety of restaurants offered will thrill foodies. Diners will have a difficult time
picking between the many restaurants available in Lagos, with options ranging from traditional
Nigerian food to traditional Thai cuisine. Nigerian cuisine is rich and colorful, with
spices and strong chilli peppers, and visitors who want a taste of the country's cuisine should try
jollof (rice cooked with tomato, onion, and pepper), akara (deep-fried bean cakes), banga
(a palm fruit-based soup), or moin moin (fried fish) (a steamed bean pudding). With a variety
of posh, casual, fast-food, and street vendor alternatives, eating out in Lagos offers not
just variety in ethnic and foreign cuisine, but also pricing and quality. The Victoria and Lagos
Islands, as well as the Lekki Peninsula, have the most fashionable and recognized eateries.
Nightlife. Lagos has firmly established itself as Nigeria's
nightlife capital, with pulsing nightclubs, late-night bars, and live music venues.
The nightlife scene in the city tends to start late in the evening and last until the sun rises,
with most clubs filling up around 11 p.m. Victoria Island and Ikoyi are two of Lagos' most popular
nightlife locations. There are a couple of wonderful bars on the mainland of Lagos,
but they are exclusively for the more daring, as safety is not guaranteed.
Pool parties are held at a few upscale hotels and are a terrific way to beat the heat while taking
in the Lagos nightlife. Awolowo Road attracts a large number of dining and late-night drinkers,
while Pat's Place attracts Nigeria's resident expat population. Finally,
no trip to Lagos is complete without a stop at the New Afrika Shrine,
which is a Lagos institution. The original Afrika Shrine, owned by Lagos superstar Fela Kuti,
was the spiritual home of Afrobeat. After it burned down, Femi Kuti, the musician's son, built
the New Afrika Shrine to continue the tradition, and he still performs there when he visits town.
After visiting Lagos, you would agree with us that the megacity has much to offer
both inhabitants and visitors from all over the world. Everything you need in Lagos, from
infrastructure development to entertainment, is at your fingertips. For more interesting adventures,
stay tuned to Africa Reloaded. For more videos, remember to like, share, and subscribe.