Lagos State is located in the southwestern region of Nigeria. It has the most people living in it despite being the smallest state in terms of land area. Lagos State is the only Nigerian state that borders just one other state to the northeast, since it is bounded to the south by the Bight of Benin and to the west by the international border with Benin. It is also bounded to the west by the international border with Benin. On May 27, 1967, the state of Lagos was established from the Western Region and the antecedent Federal Capital Territory. It was given the name of the city of Lagos, which at the time was the most populated city in Africa.
Nearly one quarter of the land area that makes up Lagos State is made up of different bodies of water, hence the state’s geography is heavily influenced by water. The Lagos and Lekki lagoons are located in the heart of the state and receive water from the Ogun and Osun rivers, making them the biggest of these bodies of water. Quite a few different rivers and streams may be found winding their way across the state. These waterways play an important role in the movement of both people and commodities. On land, non-urbanized regions are located within the tropical Nigerian lowland forests ecoregion. These natural areas are home to populations of endangered animals like as the mona monkey, tree pangolin, and hooded vulture, as well as a migratory population of African bush elephants. A huge number of fish populations may be found offshore, in addition to African manatees and crocodiles. This contributes to the state’s overall high level of biodiversity.
Yoruba people make up the bulk of the state’s population and can be found all throughout the state. The Ewe and Ogu peoples can be found in the westernmost part of the state. Lagos State has been inhabited by a variety of indigenous ethnic groups for many years. Since the eighteenth century, migration has caused considerable numbers of non-native Nigerian ethnic groups to settle in Lagos State. These groups include the Edo, Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio, and Nupe peoples. Other Nigerian communities also call Lagos State home. There are also groups from outside of Nigeria’s modern borders. The Saro (Sierra Leonean) and Amaro (Brazilian) groups are descendants of formerly enslaved people that returned to Africa in the 1800s. Additionally, a longstanding Middle Eastern Nigerian community (primarily Syrian and Lebanese Nigerians) also forms a significant part of Lagos’ population along with recent immigrants from Benin Republic, China, Ghana, India, Togo, and the United Kingdom. Religious diversity is also present in the state, as seen by the sizeable populations of Christians, Muslims, and adherents of traditional ethnic faiths.
The region that is today known as Lagos State was mostly comprised of fishing villages and ports during the pre-colonial era. During this time, the territory was ruled over by a number of different governments, including the Oyo Empire and the Benin Empire, up until the early 1800s, when the city of Lagos had grown into a prominent kingdom in its own right. Bombardment of Lagos was a British military operation that took place in 1850. It was a successful assault on the kingdom of Lagos, which resulted in the installation of a British ally as Oba and the signature of a contract that placed Lagos under British protection. After ten years, the compelled signing of the Lagos Treaty of Cession resulted in the official founding of the Lagos Colony. The colony was included into the new Southern Nigeria Protectorate in 1906, and then the Southern Nigeria Protectorate was united into British Nigeria in 1914, with the city of Lagos serving as the capital of British Nigeria. When Nigeria gained its independence in 1960, Lagos continued to serve as the nation’s capital and a large portion of the city was designated as the Federal Capital Territory. The remaining portion of what is now Lagos State was a part of the Western Region until 1967, when the Western Region was divided and the territory became Lagos State.
It is one of the greatest economies in Africa with a gross domestic product of $84 billion, equivalent to Ghana’s $75 billion, Angola’s $70 billion, and Ethiopia’s $93 billion respectively. Economically, Lagos State is one of the most significant states in the nation as a major financial center. Additionally, Lagos State is an important center for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of culture, education, and transportation. In addition to that, it is the state that has the highest literacy rate in the whole country of Nigeria. The Human Development Index for Lagos State is the highest in all of Nigeria, and the state is also home to a large number of ongoing construction projects. This is despite the fact that the city suffers from chronic and crippling traffic.
Early history
Eko was the city’s name before it was changed to Lagos, which comes from the Portuguese word for the island. Prior to this, the city was known as Lagos. The Awori people were the first to establish a permanent community in Eko in the 15th century, followed by the Binis in the 16th century. The Benin Empire was successful in its conquest of the Awori people. [33] The Awori were hunters and fisherman who had originally migrated to the coast from Ile-Ife.
The Portuguese first used the name Lagos around 1760 when they started using the city. Taking its name from a city in southern Portugal that played an important role in the transatlantic slave trade. In 1861, Oba Docemo was the one who signed the contract that officially established Lagos as a colony under British rule.
Post-colonial era
On May 27, 1967, in accordance with the State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, the state of Lagos was established. This decree, which also reorganized Nigeria into a federation of 12 states, brought about the change. Prior to the issuing of this Decree, Lagos city, which at the time served as the nation’s capital, had been directly controlled by the Federal Government via the Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs. Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe, Surulere, and Badagry were all under the administration of the Western Region Government at the time. However, Lagos, the city, along with these other towns, were captured to create the state of Lagos, and on April 11, 1968, the state was fully recognized as a semi-autonomous administrative division. Ikeja replaced Lagos as the state capital in 1976, after which Lagos fulfilled a dual purpose as the seat of both the state and the federal government until 1976. After the complete formation of the Federal Capital Territory, on the basis of the suggestion of an of the committee that was headed by Akinola gùdà and was established by General Murtala Muhammed in 1975 to assess the need for a new capital for Nigeria. On December 12, 1991, the federal government officially moved its headquarters to its current location in Abuja. Despite this, Lagos continues to serve as the primary financial hub of the nation and has even surpassed other cities in population to become the most populated in both the state and the nation.
Cities and towns
The most populated city not just in Lagos State but also in all of Nigeria and on the whole continent of Africa is Lagos. The urban agglomeration is home to a significant percentage of the world’s total population. Lagos is a port that originated on islands that are separated by creeks, such as Lagos Island, and are fringing the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon. These islands are protected from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands and long sand spits, such as Bar Beach, which stretch up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) east and west of the mouth of the lagoon. Ikeja, also known as the capital of Lagos State, as well as the neighborhoods of Agege and Mushin are all included in the metropolitan region of Lagos.
Ikeja
Ikeja serves as the administrative center for Lagos State. Ikeja is a residential and commercial town that was laid out and includes retail malls, pharmacies, and sections allocated for the government. Ikeja is home to the world-famous Murtala Mohammed International Airport. In addition, Fela Kuti’s African Shrine, the residence of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and Lagbaja’s Motherland are all located in Ikeja. In addition to that, it is home to the biggest retail mall on the continent.
Lekki
A city that may be found in the south-eastern region of the state is called Lekki. It is a naturally formed peninsula, and the most of it is still in the process of being constructed. Only the first part of the project has been finished as of 2015, although the second phase was very close to being finished. The length of the peninsula is anywhere between 70 and 80 kilometers, while its average width is 10 kilometers. Currently, the region known as Lekki is home to a number of estates, residential projects with gates, agricultural farmlands, areas designated for a Free Trade Zone, an airport, and a sea port that is in the process of being built. The planned land use master plan for the Lekki Peninsula envisions the Peninsula as a “Blue-Green Environment City.” It is anticipated that the Peninsula would be able to handle a residential population of approximately 3.4 million people in addition to a non-residential population of at least 1.9 million.
Ikorodu
The city of Ikorodu can be found in the north-eastern part of the state, right next to the Lagos Lagoon. It is next to the state of Ogun on one side. Ikorodu, which had a population of 535,619 according to the 2006 Census, is the third biggest city in the south west of Nigeria, after Ibadan and Lagos, and the 12th largest city in Nigeria overall. It is projected to have 1,041,066 inhabitants in the year 2022. The city’s population is now growing at a rate of 5.26 percent per year, and it is anticipated to reach 1.7 million by the year 2035.
Eko Atlantic
A new metropolis called Eko Atlantic is now under construction on land that was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated on what was once known as Bar Beach in Lagos. The new island, which is currently in the process of being developed, anticipates having at least 250,000 people once it is finished and a daily flow of at least 150,000 commuters once it is finished. The initiative will also have a good influence on the environment; its goal is to stem the erosion of the shoreline of Lagos. In 2009, the Clinton worldwide Initiative awarded both the government of Lagos State and its private sector partner on the Eko Atlantic City project, South Energyx, with a Commitment Certificate for their participation in the initiative. This helped the project get prominence on a worldwide scale.
Badagry
The town of Badagry is located on the coast of the state. It is located in between the metropolitan area of Lagos and the Seme border crossing into the Republic of Benin. The preliminary findings from the census in 2006 indicated that the municipality had a total population of 241,093 people. The region is governed by Akran De Wheno Aholu Menu – Toyi 1, a traditional monarch who also serves as the permanent vice-chairman of obas and chiefs in Lagos State. It is widely believed that it is home to the oldest storied structure in the nation. The Egun people, who are traditionally fisherman, have their homeland in Badagry.
Epe
Epe is a community that can be found on the northern portion of the Lekki Lagoon. It is well known for the fishing opportunities that can be found inside the city. Epe has a total population of 181,409 people as per the census conducted in 2006.
Epe is often referred to as the “fishing capital” of Lagos. Since fishing is the primary source of income for the residents of this area, it should come as no surprise that the sculpture of two enormous fish that greets visitors to Epe may be seen at the Lekki-Epe T-Junction. It is generally agreed that the Epe Fish Market is the biggest seafood market in Lagos.
The town of Epe is recognized for its peaceful atmosphere. In addition to the thrills, the vistas, and the tranquility, you will also have access to inexpensive sources of animal protein.
Epe, much like any other civilization, has holidays and festivals when the community comes together to celebrate and mark noteworthy milestones. Residents of Epe participate in a number of events, including the Epe day celebration, the Ojude-Oba festival, the Kayo-kayo festival, and the Ebi bi festival.
Epe is home to many campuses of well-known educational institutions that cater to higher education in Lagos. The Lagos State University (LASU), the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), the Yaba College of Technology, and the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCOPED) are some of the universities that belong to this group.
Epe is also the birthplace of noteworthy people such as Akinwunmi Ambode, a former governor of Lagos State, and Femi Otedola, a prominent businessman in Nigeria.
Ojo
Ojo is a town with a population of 507,693 people, and the Awori people make up the majority of its inhabitants. This town is the location of Lagos State University.
Economy
The state of Lagos is a significant economic center in Nigeria. If it were a sovereign nation, its economy would rank fifth among those found on the African continent. The majority of Nigeria’s conglomerates and commercial banks have their headquarters located in Lagos State.
Its total produced income in 2017 was around 334 billion yen, which is comparable to 920 million dollars in the United States, representing a growth of 10.43% compared to 2016. Just the state’s internally produced income (IGR) reached over 267 billion yen at the beginning of the second year of the year 2021.
Lekki Free Trade Zone
The Lekki Free Trade Zone, often known as the Lekki FTZ, is a free zone that can be found on the eastern portion of Lekki and has a total area of around 155 square kilometers. A total resident population of 120,000 people might be accommodated within the first phase of the zone, which has an area of 30 square kilometers, of which about 27 square kilometers are designated for urban building purposes. According to the Master Plan, the free zone will be transformed into a new contemporary city inside a city with the integration of industries, commerce and business, real estate development, warehousing and logistics, tourism, and entertainment. This will take place within the existing city.
Mineral resources
Clay
Bitumen
Glass Sand
Crude Oil
Climate
The climate in Lagos may be described as tropical wet and dry or savanna. The average annual temperature in the city is 28.67 degrees Celsius (83.61 degrees Fahrenheit), which is -0.79% lower than the average temperature in Nigeria. The yearly average rainfall in Lagos is around 132.01 millimeters (5.2 inches), and the city has 193.63 wet days (53.05% of the time).
Environmental issues
Pollution of the Water Supply The pollution of the water supply is a major problem in Lagos. Because of the unrestricted release of raw sewage, sediment-carrying runoff, and effluents into the Lagoon system, there have been serious concerns expressed about the impact on public health. As a direct consequence of this, many people have contracted potentially lethal waterborne diseases including cholera and diarrhea. The majority of people living in Lagos are dependent on the unofficial sector, which is made up of wells, since only a pitifully tiny percentage of the city’s population has access to legitimate sources of potable water. The city of Lagos is located in a tropical climate and receives more than 2,000 millimeters of rainfall each year. Although the city is surrounded by water, most of the water there is not safe to drink. Because there is extremely little access to legal sources of potable water, the majority of people living in Lagos are forced to depend on the unofficial water supply system, which includes wells, boreholes, rivers, and rain.
Transportation
Transportation by air
One of the five main international airports in Nigeria is the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, which is located in Ikeja. It was constructed in 1978 and given its current name in honor of the late General Murtala Mohammed, who had served as military head of state before.
Lekki-Epe International Airport is a planned airport in Lekki, Nigeria, that is built for a capacity of 5 million passengers each and every year. This airport is also located in Lagos.
Transportation by land
People who live in Lagos may go to work by taking use of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit System, often referred to as the Lagos BRT, which is governed by LAMATA.
Transportation by rail
An urban rail system known as the Lagos State Rail Mass Transit is currently being constructed, and it is anticipated that it would begin service in December of 2022.
Government
Since its inception in 1967, the state has been governed 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. Both civilian and quasi-civilian administrations of the state have been overseen by the federal government. After English, Yoruba has been recognized as a language suitable for use in the House of Assembly as a language of debate and discussion ever since December of 2007. The office of Speaker, which is an elected one, is now held by Mudashiru Obasa, who has also secured the nomination to compete for a sixth term as a candidate for his party in the next elections in 2023. The Speaker is the highest-ranking member of the House of Assembly.
Governor
The Governor of Lagos State is named Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is now serving as the governor of Lagos State after being successful in the governorship elections held on March 11, 2023, so securing a second term in office. On May 29, 2023, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was sworn in for a second term in office, maintaining him as the 6th democratic governor of Lagos State and the 15th governor of Lagos State overall. This ceremony took place in Lagos. On May 18, 2022, the administration of Lagos state declared that okada will be completely banned in six of the state’s local government districts.
Politics
The governor of the state is chosen in a democratic election, and he or she collaborates closely with members of the house of assembly to run the state’s government. Ikeja serves as the state’s official capital city.
Electoral System
A modified version of a two-round method is used to pick the electoral system that will be used in each state. A candidate has to obtain the plurality of the vote and more than 25 percent of the vote in at least two-thirds of the state’s local government Areas in order to be elected in the first round of voting. In the event that no candidate reaches the required number of votes to clear the threshold, a second round of voting will be conducted between the candidate who earned the most votes overall and the candidate who obtained a plurality of votes in the largest number of local government areas.
