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Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria. As only two censuses (in 1972 and 1991) have been taken since independence, estimates of its population vary considerably, but generally range from 10 to 15.5 million people, making it the second largest in Africa (after Cairo). Lagos is located at 6°34′60″N, 3°19′59″E.
Lagos has grown from a small Yoruba settlement, and undergone periods of domination by two European powers, to become the commercial and population center of Nigeria.
It is the former capital city of Nigeria as it was replaced by Abuja but the city remains the commercial center of Nigeria. The city officially lost its status as the capital city of Nigeria on 12 December 1991.
History
- Main article: History of Lagos
Lagos today continues to be a commercial center, as it was for much of its history
Lagos was once a Yoruba settlement called Eko, whose name stemmed from either Oko (farm) or Eko (war camp.) During its early history, it also saw periods of rule by the Kingdom of Benin. [1]
Portuguese traders visited the area in 1472 and soon after began trading in goods and slaves, naming the area around the city Lagos, meaning lakes. It served as a major center of the slave trade until 1861, when the United Kingdom, which had abolished slavery in 1807, captured the city. It was formally annexed as a British colony in 1861. This had the dual effect of crushing the slave trade and establishing British superiority over palm and other trades. [2] The remainder of modern-day Nigeria was seized in 1886, and when the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria was established in 1914 Lagos was declared its capital. Lagos experienced rapid growth throughout the 1960s and 1970s as a result of Nigeria's economic boom prior to the Biafran War.
Lagos was the capital of Nigeria from 1914 - 1976; it was stripped of this title when the Federal Capital Territory was established at the purpose-built city of Abuja. However, most government functions (especially the head of state) stayed in Lagos for a time since Abuja was still under construction. In 1991, the head of state and other government functions finally moved to the newly built capital in a mass exodus. The change resulted in Lagos losing some prestige and economic leverage. However, it has retained its importance as the country's largest city and as an economic centre.
Law and Government
Unlike many major worldwide cities, Lagos city does not have its own mayor or council, but is instead governed as part of a regular Nigerian state. Since 1967, Lagos is part of Lagos State. Lagos was the headquarters of Lagos State until 1976, when this was moved to Ikeja, Lagos thus losing state capital and national capital status in the same year. [3]
Lagos State covers some of the area beyond the city's borders, but its primary focus is on Lagos proper. The state of Lagos is split into 15 districts. The state is responsible for utilities including roads and transportation, power, water, health, and education.
The city is also home to the High Court of the Lagos State Judiciary, housed in an old colonial building on Lagos Island. [4]
Geography and climate
The commercial centre remains Lagos Island, which is connected to the mainland by three large bridges: Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Third Mainland Bridge. Ikoyi and Victoria islands are closely connected to Lagos Island. The main docks are in Apapa directly opposite Lagos Island. Other districts on the mainland include Ebute-Meta, Surulere, Yaba (Lagos) (site of the University of Lagos), Mushin, and Ikeja, site of Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Lagos's climate is similar to that of the rest of southern Nigeria. The rainy season lasts from May to October, with the dry season from November to April. The latter is accompanied by harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert, which between December and early February can be quite strong.
Economy
Lagos is Nigeria's leading port. The Port of Lagos, operated by the Nigerian Port Authority is split into three main sections: Lagos port, Apapa Port and Tin Can Port, all located on the Gulf of Guinea. [5] The port features a railhead.
The port handles imports of consumer goods, foodstuffs, motor vehicles, machinery, and industrial raw materials. Its export trade in timber and agricultural products such as cacao and groundnuts has declined since the early 1970s, although the port has seen growing amounts of crude oil exported, with export figures rising between 1997 and 2000. [6] Oil and petroleum products provide 20% of GDP and 95% of foreign exchange earnings in Nigeria as a whole. [7]
More than half of Nigeria's industrial capacity is located in Lagos's mainland suburbs, particularly in the Ikeja industrial estate. A wide range of manufactured goods are produced in the city, including machinery, motor vehicles, electronic equipment, chemicals, beer, processed food, and textiles.
Demographics
As no census has been taken in Lagos since 1991, definitive demographical information is hard to come by. However, there is clear evidence of startling population growth in Lagos.
Lagos is, by most estimates, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, The United Nations predicts that the city's metropolitan area, which had only about 290,000 inhabitants in 1950, will exceed 20 million by 2010, making Lagos one of the world's five largest cities. [8]
In Nigeria as a whole, there are more than 250 ethnic groups. [9]
Communications and Media
Lagos has a functioning telephone system and Internet access is also available.
Features and neighborhoods
The mainland is home to most of the residential areas and famous music-based nightlife, notably around Yaba and Surulere, as well as the Nigerian National Stadium, the University of Lagos, the Lagos State University and the railway station (with trains to Kano). Attractions in the city include the Lagos National Museum, Tafa Balewa Square known for its war memorials, the Independence House skyscraper (built in 1963), many markets including the Balogun Market and the Brazilian quarter, all on Lagos Island; the Nigerian National Theatre and several beaches. The city also has two airports: the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and the Lagos Domestic Airport. Though largely derelict, Tinubu Square on Lagos Island is a site of historical importance. It was here that the Amalgamation ceremony that unified Nigeria took place.
Tourism
Lagos is not a common tourist destination, as it is primarily business-oriented and has a reputation for danger and squalor amongst many foreigners. However, some tourist attractions do exist, such as Oba's Palace. There are also several shopping malls, including the Falomo Shopping Centre. Visitors are also drawn to the musical heritage of Lagos, such as fuji music (see Music section). [10]
Colleges and Universities
Lagos is home to four universities:
The University of Lagos is a large institution dating from 1962, with over 35,000 students. It comprises 13 faculties, run by over 4,000 staff.
The Pan-African University is primarily a business school, offering two MBA programs. Founded in 1996 and awarded University status in 2002, it consists of the Lagos Business School and of Enterprise Development Services. The University also places some emphasis on the study of art.
Transport
Ferries and highways link the parts of the city together. However, transport links within Lagos are congested, due in part to the geography of the city, its explosive population growth, as well as bad roads and bad driving habits. A chain of salt-water lagoons runs west to Badagri and also east toward Ogun State.
Music
Lagos is famous throughout West Africa for its music scene. Lagos has given birth to a variety of styles such as highlife, juju, fuji, and Afrobeat.
Sports
As in the rest of Nigeria, soccer is the most popular sport. The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and the Lagos State Football Association (LAFA) are both based in Lagos. A prominent Lagos soccer club Julius Berger FC, members of the Nigerian Premier League; the team, owned by the Julius Berger Construction Company, is set to close in 2008, potentially leaving Lagos without a Premier League team. [15]
The Nigerian national football team, also known as the Super Eagles, used to play almost all of their home games in Lagos; however, games are now split between the Surelere Stadium in Lagos and the larger, newer Abuja Stadium in Abuja, which may soon become the default home of the Super Eagles. [16][17]
The Lagos State government features the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Social Development.
Sister Cities
Lagos - technically Lagos Island - is twinned with Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Notes and references
See also
External links
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