Lagos State

Lagos State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Of the 36 states, it is both the most populous and smallest in area. Bounded to the south by the Bight of Benin and to the west by the international border with Benin, Lagos State borders Ogun State to the northeast making it the only Nigerian state to border only one other state. Named for the city of Lagos—the most populous city in Africa—the state was formed from the Western Region and the former Federal Capital Territory on 27 May 1967.
Geographically, Lagos State is dominated by bodies of water with nearly a quarter of the state's area being bodies of water. The largest of these bodies are the Lagos and Lekki lagoons in the state's interior with the Ogun and Osun rivers flowing into them. Many other rivers and creeks flow throughout the state and serve as vital means of transportation for people and goods. On land, non-urbanized areas are within the tropical Nigerian lowland forests ecoregion with natural areas containing threatened populations of mona monkey, tree pangolin, and hooded vulture along with a transitory population of African bush elephants. Offshore, the state is also biodiverse as there are large fish populations along with African manatees and crocodiles.
Lagos State has been inhabited for years by various indigenous ethnic groups, primarily the majority Yoruba people that live throughout the state but also the Ewe and Ogu peoples in the far west. As a result of migration since the nineteenth century, Lagos State also has large populations of non-native Nigerian ethnic groups with Edo, Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio, and Nupe peoples among other Nigerian groups. There are also groups from outside of Nigeria's modern borders with the Saro (Sierra Leonean) and Amaro (Brazilian) groups being descendants of formerly enslaved people that returned to Africa in the 1800s with a longstanding Middle Eastern Nigerian community (mainly Syrian and Lebanese Nigerians) also forming a significant part of Lagos' population along with recent immigrants from Benin, China, Ghana, India, Togo, and the United Kingdom. Religiously, the state is also diverse, as there is a sizable number of Christian, Muslim and traditional ethnic religions.
In the pre-colonial period, the area that is now Lagos State was mainly fishing villages and ports that at various points were controlled by states including the Oyo Empire and Benin Empire until the early 1800s when the city of Lagos had developed into a major kingdom of its own right. In 1850, the British successfully attacked the kingdom in the Bombardment of Lagos before installing an ally as Oba and signing a treaty that established Lagos as being under British protection. Ten years later, the forced Lagos Treaty of Cession led to the formal establishment of the Lagos Colony. In 1906, the colony was incorporated into the new Southern Nigeria Protectorate which merged into British Nigeria in 1914 with the city of Lagos as its capital. Upon independence in 1960, Lagos remained as the capital with much of the city forming the Federal Capital Territory while the rest of modern-day Lagos State was a part of the Western Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became Lagos State.
Economically, Lagos State is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. It is the most populous city in Nigeria and one of the most important states in the country a major financial centre and has one of the largest economies in Africa with a gross domestic product of $84 billion comparable with Ghana's $75 billion, Angola's $70 billion, and Ethiopia's $93 billion. Lagos State is also a key culture, education, and transportation hub for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the state also has the highest literacy rate in Nigeria. It is known for its vibrant culture, bustling markets, and significant economic activities. Despite overcrowding and chronic debilitating traffic, Lagos State has the highest Human Development Index in Nigeria and numerous developmental projects.
History
Early history
Before the Portuguese name of Lagos had been adopted, Lagos' initial name was Eko which referred mainly to the Island. The first to settle in Eko were the Aworis in the 15th century and the Binis in the 16th century. The Aworis were conquered by the Benin Empire. The Awori hunters and fishermen had originally come from Ile-Ife to the coast.
It was in 1760 that the name Lagos was adopted by the Portuguese. Naming it after a city in Southern Portugal which was used as port for slave trade. In 1861, Oba Docemo was the one who signed the treaty making Lagos a British Colony.
Post-colonial era
Lagos State was created on 27 May 1967 according to the State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into a federation of 12 states. Before the issuance of this Decree, Lagos city, which was the country's capital had been administered directly by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs. However, Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe, Surulere, and Badagry were administered by the then Western Region Government. Lagos, the city, along with these other towns were captured to create the state of Lagos, with the state becoming fully recognized as a semi-autonomous administrative division on 11 April 1968. Lagos served the dual role of being the State and Federal Capital until 1976 when the capital of the state was moved to Ikeja. After the full establishment of the Federal Capital Territory, based on the recommendation of a of the Akinola Àgùdà–led committee set up by General Murtala Muhammed to review the need for a new capital for Nigeria in 1975. The seat of the Federal Government was formally relocated to Abuja on 12 December 1991. Nevertheless, Lagos remains the financial centre of the country, and even grew to become the most populous city in the state and the country.
Cities and towns
Lagos
Lagos is the most populous city in Lagos State, Nigeria as a whole, and the continent of Africa. The conurbation is one of the most populous in the world. Lagos is a port which originated on islands separated by creeks, such as Lagos Island, fringing the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon while protected from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands and long sand spits such as Bar Beach, which stretch up to east and west of the mouth. The metropolitan area of Lagos includes Ikeja (which is the capital of Lagos State) and Agege and Mushin.
Ikeja
Ikeja is the state capital of Lagos State. Ikeja is a planned residential and commercial town with shopping malls, pharmacies and government reserved areas. The Murtala Mohammed International Airport is in Ikeja. Ikeja is also home to Fela Kuti's African Shrine, Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi house and Lagbaja's Motherland. It also has the largest shopping center on the mainland.
Lekki
Lekki is a city in the south eastern part of the state. It is a naturally formed peninsula, it is still largely under construction. As of 2015, only phase 1 of the project had been completed, with phase 2 nearing completion. The peninsula is approximately 70 to 80 km long, with an average width of 10 km. Lekki currently houses several estates, gated residential developments, agricultural farmlands, areas allocated for a Free Trade Zone, an airport, and a sea port under construction. The proposed land use master plan for the Lekki envisages the Peninsula as a "Blue-Green Environment City", expected to accommodate over 3.4 million residential population and an additional non-residential population of at least 1.9 million.
Ikorodu
Ikorodu is a city located north east of the state along the Lagos Lagoon. It shares a boundary with Ogun State. As of the 2006 Census Ikorodu had a population of 535,619. it is the third largest city in the south west after Ibadan and Lagos and the 12th largest city in Nigeria. It has an 2022 estimated population of 1,041,066. The population of the city currently grows at 5.26% annually and it is projected to reach 1.7million by 2035
Eko Atlantic
Eko Atlantic is a planned city being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean. It is located on the former Lagos' Bar Beach. Upon completion, the new island which is still under development is anticipating at least 250,000 residents and a daily flow of at least 150,000 commuters. The development will also have a positive environmental impact; its purpose is to stop the erosion of the Lagos coastline. The Eko Atlantic City project received global recognition in 2009, as the Lagos State government and its private sector partners on the Project, South Energyx, received the Clinton Global Initiative Commitment Certificate.
Badagry
Badagry is a coastal town in the state. It is situated between Metropolitan Lagos, and the border of the Republic of Benin at Seme. As of the preliminary 2006 census results, the municipality had a population of 241,093.
The area is led by a traditional king, Akran De Wheno Aholu Menu – Toyi 1, who is also the permanent vice-chairman of obas and chiefs in Lagos State. It is known to hold the country's oldest storey building.
Badagry is home to the Egun people who are predominantly fishermen.
Epe
Epe is a town located on the north side of the Lekki Lagoon. It is popular for the fishing activities attributed to the city. Per the 2006 Census the population of Epe was 181,409.
Epe is widely regarded as Lagos's fishing capital. Fishing is the main occupation of the people here, so it is no surprise that a sculpture of two giant fishes, erected at the Lekki-Epe T-Junction, welcomes you to Epe. The Epe Fish Market is regarded as Lagos's largest seafood market.
Epe town is well-known for its tranquilly. Aside from the adventure, sightseeing, and serenity, you also have access to low-cost animal protein.
Epe, like any other society, has special occasions and festivals where people come together to celebrate. Epe residents celebrate various festivals such as the Kayo-kayo festival, the Ebi bi festival, Ojude-Oba, and the Epe day.
Some campuses of popular higher education institutions in Lagos can be found within Epe. Lagos State University (LASU), Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Yaba College of Technology, and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education are among them (MOCOPED).
Epe is also the birthplace of notable individuals such as former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Nigerian businessman Femi Otedola.
Ojo
Ojo is a town mainly occupied by the Aworis with a population of 507,693. Lagos State University is in this town.
Economy
Lagos State is a major economic centre of Nigeria. It would be the fifth largest economy in Africa if it were a country.
Lagos State houses headquarters of most conglomerates and commercial banks in Nigeria.
Its total generated revenue in 2017 was around ₦334 billion (equivalent to US$920 million), growing by 10.43% compared to 2016. By the first half of 2021, the State's internally generated revenue (IGR) alone stood at over ₦267 billion.
Lekki Free Trade Zone
Lekki Free Trade Zone (Lekki FTZ) is a free zone situated at the eastern part of Lekki, which covers a total area of about 155 square kilometres. The first phase of the zone has an area of 30 square kilometres, with about 27 square kilometres for urban construction purposes, which would accommodate a total resident population of 120,000. According to the Master Plan, the free zone will be developed into a new modern city within a city with integration of industries, commerce and business, real estate development, warehousing and logistics, tourism, and entertainment.
Mineral resources
The following mineral resources are found in Lagos State:
Clay
Bitumen
Glass Sand
Crude Oil
Geography
Climate
Lagos has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate. The city's yearly temperature is 28.67 °C (83.61 °F) and it is -0.79% lower than Nigeria's averages. Lagos typically receives about 132.01 millimeters (5.2 inches) of precipitation and has 193.63 rainy days (53.05% of the time) annually.
Environmental issues
Water Pollution In Lagos, water contamination is a significant issue. Serious health concerns have been raised as a result of the unchecked discharge of raw sewage, sediment-carrying runoff, and effluents into the Lagoon system. People are suffering from deadly waterborne illnesses like cholera and diarrhea as a result. The number of Lagos inhabitants who have access to formal clean water is pitifully small, with most of them reliant on the unofficial sector made up of wells. Lagos has a tropical environment with over 2,000 millimeters of annual rainfall, is surrounded by water, however much of the water is unsafe to drink. The bulk of Lagos inhabitants rely on the unofficial sector, which consists of wells, boreholes, rivers, and rains, as there is very little access to formal clean water. The state's daily demand in 2016 was
Air pollution
Waste
Traffic congestion
Noise pollution
Infrastructure
Fourth Mainland Bridge
The Fourth Mainland Bridge is a 38 km long bridge project by the Lagos State Government, connecting Lagos Island by way of Langbasa(Lekki) and Baiyeku(Ikorodu) across the Lagos Lagoon to Itamaga, in Ikorodu. The bridge is a 2 x 4 lane carriageway cross-sectional road with permission for BRT Lane and future road contraction. It is expected to become the second longest bridge in Africa, featuring 3 toll plazas, 9 interchanges, 4.5 km Lagoon Bridge and an eco-friendly environment amongst other added features.
In April 2021 there were 6 bidders for the US$2.5 billion project. By December the preferred bidder would be known.
In January 2022 the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reiterated the plan by the state government to commence the construction on the Opebi-Mende link bridge and the 38-kilometre 4th mainland bridge: "Construction work on the 38km 4th Mainland Bridge — which will be the longest in Africa — and the Opebi-Mende link bridge will commence this year."
Transportation
Transportation by air
Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja is one of Nigeria's five major international airports. It was built in 1978 and named after the former military head of state Late General Murtala Mohammed.
Lagos has also has the Lekki-Epe International Airport which is a proposed airport in Lekki, Nigeria, designed for a capacity of 5 million passengers annually.
Transportation by land
People can commute using by bus using the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit System, also known as Lagos BRT which is regulated by LAMATA.
Transportation by rail
The Lagos State Rail Mass Transit is an urban rail system which started operation on the 4th of September 2023.
Government
Since its creation in 1967, the state has been administered either by a governor and a House of Assembly in civilian or quasi-civilian (under Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida's administration) federal administrations, or by Sole-Administrators or Military Administrators in military dispensations. Since December 2007, Yoruba has been the second official language of debate and discussion for the House of Assembly after English. The House of Assembly is headed by the Speaker, an elected position which is currently held by Mudashiru Obasa, who has also won his party's ticket to run for a 6th term in the upcoming 2023 elections.
Governor
The current governor of Lagos State is Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who emerged victorious for a second term in office in the March 11, 2023 Governorship elections.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu was sworn in on May 29, 2023 for a second term in office, retaining him as the 6th democratic governor of Lagos State and the 15th governor of Lagos State overall. On 18 May 2022, Lagos state government announced total ban on Okada in 6 local government areas of the state.
Politics
The State government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state's house of assembly. The Capital city of the State is Ikeja.
Electoral System
The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -third of the State local government Areas. If no candidate passes threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.
Administrative divisions
Local Government Areas
Lagos State is divided into five administrative divisions, which are further divided into 20 local government areas, or LGAs. They are:
The first 16 of the above LGAs comprise the statistical area of Metropolitan Lagos. The remaining four LGAs (Badagry, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe) are within Lagos State but are not part of Metropolitan Lagos.
Local council development areas
In 2003, many of the existing 20 LGAs were split for administrative purposes into Local Council Development Areas. These lower-tier administrative units now number 56: Agbado/Oke-Odo, Agboyi/Ketu, Agege, Ajeromi, Alimosho, Apapa, Apapa-Iganmu, Ayobo/Ipaja, Badagry West, Badagry, Bariga, Coker Aguda, Egbe Idimu, Ejigbo, Epe, Eredo, Eti-Osa East, Eti Osa West, Iba, Isolo, Imota, Ikoyi, Ibeju, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ifelodun, Igando/Ikotun, Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede, Ikeja, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Ikosi Ejinrin, Ikorodu, Ikorodu West, Iru/Victoria Island, Itire Ikate, Kosofe, Lagos Island West, Lagos Island East, Lagos Mainland, Lekki, Mosan/Okunola, Mushin, Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye, Ojo, Ojodu, Ojokoro, Olorunda, Onigbongbo, Oriade, Orile Agege, Oshodi, Oto-Awori, Shomolu, Surulere and Yaba.
Electoral wards
Below is a list of polling units, including villages and schools, organised by electoral ward.
Educational institutions
Universities
Anchor University
Augustine University Ilara, Epe
Caleb University
CETEP City University
Lagos State University (including Lagos State University College of Medicine)
Lagos State University of Education
Lagos State University of Science and Technology
National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos study centres
Pan Atlantic University (includung Lagos Business School)
University of Lagos
Polytechinics & Monotechnics
Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology
Lagos City Polytechnic
Lagos State College of Health Technology
Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba
Yaba College of Technology
Colleges of Education
Federal College of Education, Akoka
Michael Otedola College of Primary Education
Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education upgraded in 2022 now Lagos State University of Education
Tourism
Lagos State has over 700 km of Atlantic sandy beaches with about 20 between the west of Badagry and east of Lekki. Along with these, there are several tourist attractions. They include:
Atlas Cove, Apapa
Bar Beach, Victoria Island
Elegushi Beach
Tarkwa Bay Beach
Topo Island, Badagry.
King Ado statue, Lagos Island
Tafawa Balewa Square
Demographics
While the state is essentially a Yoruba-speaking environment, it is a socio-cultural melting pot, attracting both Nigerians and foreigners alike.
Indigenous inhabitants include the Awori and Ogu Egun in the Ikeja and Badagry Divisions respectively, with the Egun being found mainly in Badagry.
There is also an admixture of other pioneer settlers collectively known as the Eko.
The indigenous people of the Ikorodu and Epe Divisions are mainly the Ijebu, with pockets of Eko-Awori settlers along the coastland and riverine areas.
The dominant religions in Lagos State are Christianity and Islam although a certain amount of traditional religion is still practiced.
Notable people
Femi Ojo Ade, writer
Kemi Adetiba, film maker
Jimi Agbaje, politician
Henry Ajomale, politician
Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos
Akinwunmi Ambode, accountant and politician
Ayodele Awojobi, academic
Segun Awosanya, advocate
Muiz Banire, lawyer
Basketmouth, comedian
Henry Rawlingson Carr, educator
G.B.A. Coker, former Judge of Supreme Court Of Nigeria
Davido, musician
Tony Elumelu, businessman
Falz, singer
Babatunde Fashola, politician
Femi Gbajabiamila, politician
Bode George, politician
Adekunle Gold, singer
Amy Jadesimi, businesswoman
Oladipo Jadesimi, businessman
Lateef Jakande, politician
Mobolaji Johnson, military governor
T. B. Joshua, Christian minister
Fela Kuti, musician
Mr Macaroni, comedian
Herbert Macaulay, nationalist
Musiliu Obanikoro, politician
Hakeem Olajuwon, basketball player
Babatunde Olatunji, musician
Bruce Onobrakpeya, artist
Oba Otudeko, businessman
Jim Ovia, businessman
Rahman Owokoniran, politician
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, state Governor
Toyin Saraki, healthcare philanthropist
Wole Soyinka, writer
Bola Tinubu, politician
Efunroye Tinubu, aristocrat
Oluremi Tinubu, politician
Banky W., entertainer and politician
Funsho Williams, politician
Wizkid, musician
Omos, professional wrestler
See also
List of government ministries of Lagos State
References
Further reading
Ajose, Sunny A. 2010. "The Evolution and Development of Lagos State Administration in Lagos State: A Sociological Approach."
External links
Lagos State Government official website
History and Cities in Lagos
States of Nigeria
States in Yorubaland
States and territories established in 1967
1967 establishments in Nigeria