Lagos State (, ) is a

state State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...

in South West,

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

. Of the 36 Nigerian states, Lagos is the second most populous state but the smallest in terms of land mass. Bounded to the south by the Bight of Benin and to the west by the international border with

Benin Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It was formerly known as Dahomey. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The majority of its po ...

for 10 km, Lagos State borders

Ogun State Ogun State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It is bordered to the south by Lagos State and the Bight of Benin, to the east by Ondo State, and to the north by Oyo and Osun states while its western border forms part of the national borde ...

to the north for about 283 km, making it the only Nigerian state to border only one other state. Named for the city of

Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and on ...

—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 covered with bodies of water. The largest of these bodies are the

and

Lekki Lekki is a city in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located to the south-east of Lagos city. Lekki is a naturally formed peninsula, adjoining to its west Victoria Island and Ikoyi districts of Lagos, with the Atlantic Ocean to its south, Lagos Lag ...

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 The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...

Nigerian lowland forests

ecoregion An ecoregion (ecological region) is an ecological and geographic area that exists on multiple different levels, defined by type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and c ...

with natural areas containing threatened populations of mona monkey, tree pangolin, and hooded vulture along with a transitory population of

African forest elephant The African forest elephant (''Loxodonta cyclotis'') is one of the two living species of African elephant, along with the African bush elephant. It is native to humid tropical forests in West Africa and the Congo Basin. It is the smallest of the ...

s. Offshore, the state is also biodiverse as there are large fish populations along with

African manatee The African manatee (''Trichechus senegalensis''), also known as the West African manatee, is a species of manatee that inhabits much of Western Africa – from Senegal to Angola. It is the only manatee species to be found in the Old World. Ta ...

s and

crocodile Crocodiles (family (biology), family Crocodylidae) or true crocodiles are large, semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The term "crocodile" is sometimes used more loosely to include ...

s. Lagos State has been inhabited for years by various indigenous ethnic groups, primarily the majority

Yoruba people The Yoruba people ( ; , , ) are a West African ethnic group who inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, which are collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute more than 50 million people in Africa, are over a million outsid ...

who 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,

Efik The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. The Efik speak the Efik language which is a member of the ...

, 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 who 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

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

Ghana Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

Togo Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to Ghana–Togo border, the west, Benin to Benin–Togo border, the east and Burkina Faso to Burkina Faso–Togo border, the north. It is one of the le ...

, and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. Religiously, the state is also diverse, as there is a sizable number of

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

and traditional ethnic religions. In the pre-colonial period, the area that is now Lagos State was mainly

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught from Fish stocking, stocked Body of water, ...

villages and ports that at various points were controlled by states including the Oyo Empire and

Benin Kingdom The Kingdom of Benin, also known as Great Benin, is a traditional kingdom in southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975. The Kingdom of Benin's c ...

until the early 1800s when the city of

had developed into a major kingdom of its own right. In 1850, the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

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 Lagos Colony was a British Empire, British colonial possession centred on the port of Lagos in what is now southern Nigeria. Lagos was Lagos Treaty of Cession, annexed on 6 August 1861 under the threat of force by Commander Beddingfield of HMS ...

. In 1906, the colony was incorporated into the new Southern Nigeria Protectorate which merged into British Nigeria in 1914 with the city of

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 urban areas in the world. It contains 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 Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the total market value of all the final goods and services produced and rendered in a specific time period by a country or countries. GDP is often used to measure the economic performanc ...

of $84 billion comparable with

's $75 billion,

Angola Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-Central Africa, central coast of Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Portuguese-speaking world, Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) country in both total area and List of c ...

's $70 billion, and

Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...

's $93 billion. Lagos State is also a key culture, education, and transportation hub for

and

Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa is the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lie south of the Sahara. These include Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa. Geopolitically, in addition to the list of sovereign states and ...

. 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 The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical composite index of life expectancy, Education Index, education (mean years of schooling completed and expected years of schooling upon entering the education system), and per capita income i ...

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 An island or isle is a piece of land, distinct from a continent, completely surrounded by water. There are continental islands, which were formed by being split from a continent by plate tectonics, and oceanic islands, which have never been ...

. The first to settle in Eko were the Aworis. Trade later drew various groups to the island, including the Portuguese in the 16th century. 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.

British Involvement

In late 1851, the British Royal Navy bombarded Lagos (in present-day Nigeria) in the "Reduction of Lagos." The attack aimed to suppress the Atlantic slave trade, which had thrived in Lagos since the arrival of the Portuguese. The British sought to depose Oba Kosoko, who resisted efforts to end the trade. After Kosoko fled, the British installed Oba Akitoye, a more cooperative ruler aligned with their anti-slavery efforts. In 1861, Oba Docemo was the one who signed the treaty making Lagos a British colony.

Colonial Era

The Lagos Colony was established in 1861 when the British annexed Lagos, primarily to suppress the transatlantic slave trade and establish a base for expanding British commercial and political influence in West Africa. Strategically located along the Atlantic coast, Lagos quickly became a major center for trade, particularly in palm oil, cocoa, and cotton, which were in high demand in Europe during the Industrial Revolution. Its deep natural harbor made it an essential port for British shipping and trade routes. Economically, Lagos became a gateway for exporting goods and importing British manufactured products, boosting colonial revenues and strengthening British dominance in the region. Politically, Lagos served as the administrative and military base for British expansion into the Nigerian interior, facilitating the broader colonization of Nigeria through treaties, military campaigns, and indirect rule. The infrastructure and institutions established in Lagos during the colonial period laid the foundation for modern Nigeria’s economic and political systems.

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 A federation (also called a federal state) is an entity characterized by a political union, union of partially federated state, self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a #Federal governments, federal government (federalism) ...

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 Ikeja is the List of capitals of states of Nigeria, capital city of Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria. Its population, as of the 2006 census, is 313,196. Prior to the emergence of military rule in the early 1980s, Ikeja was a well planned, cl ...

, 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

. After the full establishment of the Federal Capital Territory, based on the recommendation 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 Abuja (; , ) is the capital city of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, strategically situated at the geographic midpoint of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria), Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As the seat of the Federal G ...

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.

21st century

2002 Lagos armoury explosion

The 2002 Ikeja Armoury Explosion occurred on January 27, 2002, when a series of explosions took place at the Ikeja Cantonment in Lagos, Nigeria. The blast, believed to have been caused by the improper storage of explosives and ammunition, led to a massive fire that spread throughout the area. It resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people and displaced thousands more as buildings were destroyed and debris scattered across neighboring communities. The explosion also caused significant damage to properties and triggered widespread panic in Lagos.

2012 Lagos Floods

In the 2012 Nigerian floods, Lagos was heavily affected, with large areas submerged, displacing thousands of people, damaging infrastructure, and highlighting the vulnerability of the state to climate-induced disasters. Lagos is a coastal state with a vast lagoon, making it highly susceptible to flooding, especially during heavy rainfall. The city occasionally experiences severe floods, which have worsened due to poor drainage systems and urbanization. Rising sea levels pose a significant threat, with climate change increasing the risk of devastating floods that could wipe out parts of the city.

COVID-19 pandemic and End SARS Protests (2020–2021)

The first confirmed case in

was announced on 27 February 2020, when an Italian national in

tested positive for the virus. On 9 March 2020, a second case of the virus was reported in Ewekoro,

, a Nigerian

citizen Citizenship is a membership and allegiance to a sovereign state. Though citizenship is often conflated with nationality in today's English-speaking world, international law does not usually use the term ''citizenship'' to refer to nationality ...

who came into contact with the Italian national. The End SARS protest in Lagos State was a nationwide movement in October 2020 aimed at ending police brutality, specifically targeting the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit known for its abuse of power. In Lagos, the protests were largely peaceful but escalated on October 20, when the Lekki Toll Gate shooting occurred, where security forces fired on unarmed protester. The incident led to widespread outrage, both locally and internationally. The protests resulted in significant social and political impact, raising awareness about police violence and leading to calls for police reforms. However, the violence and destruction that followed caused extensive damage to businesses, infrastructure, and lives, leaving a lasting scar on the state’s economy and social fabric.

Cities and towns

Lagos

Lagos is the most populous city in Lagos State, Nigeria as a whole, and the continent of Africa. The

conurbation A conurbation is a region consisting of a number of metropolises, cities, large towns, and other urban areas which, through population growth and physical expansion, have merged to form one continuous urban or industrially developed area. In most ...

is one of the most populous in the world. Lagos is a

port A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manch ...

which originated on islands separated by creeks, such as Lagos Island, fringing the southwest mouth of

Lagos Lagoon Lagos Lagoon (Yoruba language, Yoruba: Ọ̀sà) is a lagoon found in the city of Lagos, southwest Nigeria, the most populous city in Africa. The name ''Lagos'' means 'lakes' in Portuguese language, Portuguese, therefore ''Lagos Lagoon'' is an ex ...

while protected from the

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the ...

barrier island Barrier islands are a Coast#Landforms, coastal landform, a type of dune, dune system and sand island, where an area of sand has been formed by wave and tidal action parallel to the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of an ...

s and long sand spits such as Bar Beach, which stretch up to east and west of the mouth. The metropolitan area of Lagos includes

(which is the capital of Lagos State) and Agege and Mushin.

Ikeja

Ikeja is the state capital of Lagos State.

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

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

. It shares a boundary with

. As of the 2006 Census, Ikorodu boosted population of about 535,619. It is the third largest city in the south-west after Ibadan and Lagos while it is the 12th largest city in Nigeria. In 2022, it had an estimated population of 1,041,066. The population of the city currently grows at 5.26% annually, and it is projected to reach 1.7 million by 2035.

Eko Atlantic

Eko Atlantic is a planned city being constructed on land reclaimed from the

. 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 A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

results, the municipality had a population of 241,093.Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette
, published 15 May 2007, accessed 8 July 2007 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 Ewe and 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 Lagos State University (LASU) is a state-owned university established by the Lagos State government in 1983. Its main campus is situated at Ojo, Lagos State, Ojo, with sub-campuses at Ikeja and Epe. The university was set up "for the advanceme ...

is in this town.

Economy

Lagos State, with a

Gross domestic product Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the total market value of all the final goods and services produced and rendered in a specific time period by a country or countries. GDP is often used to measure the economic performanc ...

(GDP) in 2025 estimated to be over

US$ The United States dollar (Currency symbol, symbol: Dollar sign, $; ISO 4217, currency code: USD) is the official currency of the United States and International use of the U.S. dollar, several other countries. The Coinage Act of 1792 introdu ...

250 billion, is the major economic centre of Nigeria. The state's dynamic economy, driven by its bustling port, thriving tech scene, and a robust manufacturing sector, is continuously expanding, positioning Lagos as a significant global economic hub. If Lagos were an independent nation, it would rank among the top 30 economies globally and it would be the fifth largest

economy An economy is an area of the Production (economics), production, Distribution (economics), distribution and trade, as well as Consumption (economics), consumption of Goods (economics), goods and Service (economics), services. In general, it is ...

in Africa. Lagos State houses headquarters of most conglomerates and commercial banks in Nigeria. The state has the lowest incidence of

extreme poverty Extreme poverty is the most severe type of poverty, defined by the United Nations (UN) as "a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, ...

(around 1.3% of the population against a national average of 31%) of all states in Nigeria, according to

World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and Grant (money), grants to the governments of Least developed countries, low- and Developing country, middle-income countries for the purposes of economic development ...

data from 2018. Despite that,

slum A slum is a highly populated Urban area, urban residential area consisting of densely packed housing units of weak build quality and often associated with poverty. The infrastructure in slums is often deteriorated or incomplete, and they are p ...

s and poverty are a major issue in the Lagos area. Its total generated

revenue In accounting, revenue is the total amount of income generated by the sale of product (business), goods and services related to the primary operations of a business. Commercial revenue may also be referred to as sales or as turnover. Some compan ...

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. As the commercial capital of Nigeria, Lagos plays a central role in shaping the nation's financial and industrial landscapes. If Lagos were an independent nation, it would rank among the top 30 economies globally. The state's dynamic economy, driven by its bustling port, thriving tech scene, and a robust manufacturing sector, is continuously expanding, positioning Lagos as a significant global economic hub.

"Wall Street" of West Africa

Lagos is often referred to as the financial capital of

West Africa West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations geoscheme for Africa#Western Africa, United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gha ...

, anchored by Victoria Island and Ikoyi, areas that house numerous multinational corporations, banks, and investment firms. The city is home to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), one of Africa's largest, and serves as the heartbeat of trade and investment for the continent. With a thriving banking sector, a rapidly growing tech ecosystem, and a wealth of entrepreneurial opportunities, Lagos has established itself as the most Important financial cities not just of Nigeria but of Africa. The state's economic importance cannot be overstated, as it consistently drives a large portion of the nation's economic output and foreign investments.

Technology and Innovation

Lagos is the Silicon Valley of Africa, home to a growing tech ecosystem known as “Tech Lagos.” The city is a hotspot for tech startups, fintech companies, and venture capital investments, drawing international tech giants like

Google Google LLC (, ) is an American multinational corporation and technology company focusing on online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and artificial ...

Facebook Facebook is a social media and social networking service owned by the American technology conglomerate Meta Platforms, Meta. Created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with four other Harvard College students and roommates, Eduardo Saverin, Andre ...

, and

Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...

to establish regional offices. The state's government actively supports this growth with initiatives aimed at promoting digital entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Lagos boasts a thriving tech scene in Yaba, a district also known as “Silicon Lagoon,” where many startups are creating cutting-edge solutions that are transforming industries across Africa. With Calm incubators, co-working spaces, and a vibrant community of tech entrepreneurs, Lagos is fast becoming a key player in the global tech arena.

Media and entertainment

Lagos is the cultural heart of Nigeria and one of the leading media and entertainment capitals of the world. The city is the epicenter of Nollywood, Africa's booming film industry, which produces thousands of films annually, contributing significantly to the economy. Lagos is also home to some of the continent's most iconic music acts, with genres like

Afrobeats Afrobeats, not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Ghana, Nigeria, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a st ...

gaining global popularity. The state's vibrant arts scene, alongside world-class fashion, design, and digital media industries, establishes Lagos as a creative hub, fueling the cultural economy and shaping global trends. The Lagos Fashion Week and numerous music festivals attract international attention, making Lagos a global leader in entertainment and media.

Agriculture and Exports

Lagos, with its vast coastal stretch, is strategically positioned as a gateway for international trade. The Port of Lagos, Africa's largest and busiest port, plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods across the continent and beyond. Lagos' agriculture sector is also vibrant, producing significant quantities of cassava, yams, coconut, and palm oil. The state is a major exporter of these products to global markets, further cementing its role as an economic leader in Africa. With a growing focus on agribusiness and sustainable farming, Lagos is increasing its agricultural exports while also ensuring that its agricultural practices meet the demands of both local and international markets.

Energy and Sustainability

As the largest economy in Nigeria, Lagos is making significant strides in advancing its energy sector. The state is investing in sustainable energy solutions, with growing initiatives in solar power, wind energy, and bioenergy. The Lagos State government has also committed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting green energy solutions. With access to abundant natural resources, Lagos is aiming to become a global leader in renewable energy and a model for sustainable development in Africa.

Lekki Free Trade Zone

Lekki Free Trade Zone Lekki is a city in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located to the south-east of Lagos city. Lekki is a naturally formed peninsula, adjoining to its west Victoria Island and Ikoyi districts of Lagos, with the Atlantic Ocean to its south, Lagos Lag ...

(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 Clay is a type of fine-grained natural soil material containing clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g. kaolinite, ). Most pure clay minerals are white or light-coloured, but natural clays show a variety of colours from impuriti ...

Bitumen Bitumen ( , ) is an immensely viscosity, viscous constituent of petroleum. Depending on its exact composition, it can be a sticky, black liquid or an apparently solid mass that behaves as a liquid over very large time scales. In American Engl ...

* Glass Sand *

Crude Oil Petroleum, also known as crude oil or simply oil, is a naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid chemical mixture found in geological formations, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons. The term ''petroleum'' refers both to naturally occurring u ...

Geography

Water Borders

Lagos State’s water boundaries are defined by the

to the south and the

to the east. The state is also intersected by several rivers and creeks, including the Ogun River, which drains into the Lagoon. Major coastal areas include Victoria Island,

, and Epe. Lagos’ strategic location along the Atlantic Ocean has made it a critical point for trade and commerce, with the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port serving as Nigeria’s busiest shipping hubs.

Climate

Under the

Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

, Lagos State has a tropical monsoon climate (Am), characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from April to October, with an annual average rainfall of 1,800 to 2,000 mm. Humidity levels remain high throughout the year. * Dry Season: November to March, characterized by harmattan winds, which bring dry and dusty air from the Sahara Desert. * Rainy Season: Heavy rainfall and occasional thunderstorms from April to October. Average daytime temperatures range between 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F). The highest recorded temperature in Lagos was 38°C (100°F), while the lowest was 21°C (70°F). 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.

Drainage

Lagos State is characterized by a complex network of lagoons, creeks, and rivers. The Lagos Lagoon serves as the main drainage basin for the state, connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Commodore Channel. The Ogun River, which originates in Ogun State, flows southward into Lagos Lagoon. The Badagry Creek and the Five Cowrie Creek also contribute to the state's drainage system. Flooding is a recurring challenge, particularly during the rainy season from April to October, as the low-lying topography and coastal location make Lagos vulnerable to waterlogging and storm surges.

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

Flora and Fauna

Lagos State’s unique geography supports a wide range of ecosystems, including coastal wetlands, mangrove forests, and lowland tropical rainforests. Species such as mangroves, oil palms, coconut trees, and various species of tropical hardwoods are found in the region. The state’s wetlands are home to water plants like water hyacinth and reeds. Lagos’ diverse fauna includes species such as: African bush elephants, antelopes, and African civet cats. Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, and pythons. The state is home to over 250 species of birds, including the African grey parrot, pied kingfisher, and hammerkop. The Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean support a variety of marine life, including tilapia,

catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order (biology), order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Catfish are common name, named for their prominent barbel (anatomy), barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, though not ...

, crabs, and prawns. Urbanization and pollution have threatened several species, leading to conservation efforts within the state’s reserves and protected areas, such as the Lekki Conservation Centre.

Parks, Landmarks and Monuments

Lagos State has several protected conservation areas aimed at preserving its unique biodiversity: * Lekki Conservation Centre: A 78-hectare reserve with the longest canopy walkway in Africa. * Lufasi Nature Park: A sanctuary for endangered species and a center for environmental education. * Omu Resort: A wildlife and amusement park featuring a zoo, aquarium, and other attractions. Landmarks and Attractions include; * First Storey Building in Nigeria: Built in 1845 in Badagry. * Slave Route: Badagry was a major departure point for enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. * National Museum: Houses artifacts, including the famous Festac Mask from the 1977 Festival of African Culture (FESTAC). *National Theatre: A cultural and arts center in Iganmu. *Third Mainland Bridge: At 11.8 km, it is the longest bridge in West Africa, connecting Lagos Island to the mainland. *Nike Art Gallery: The largest art gallery in West Africa, showcasing Nigerian and African art. Freedom Park: A former colonial-era prison turned into a cultural and recreational center.

Infrastructure

Fourth Mainland Bridge

The Fourth Mainland Bridge is a 38 km long

bridge A bridge is a structure built to Span (engineering), span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or railway) without blocking the path underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, whi ...

project by the Lagos State Government, connecting

Lagos Island Lagos Island () is the principal and central Local government areas of Nigeria, Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos, Nigeria. It was the capital of Lagos State until 1957. It is part of the Lagos Division. As of the preliminary 2006 Nigerian ce ...

by way of Langbasa(

) and Baiyeku(Ikorodu) across the

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 A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...

and a

House of Assembly House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level. Historically, in British Crown colonies as the colony gained more internal responsible g ...

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

after English. The House of Assembly is headed by the Speaker, an elected position.

Official Languages of Lagos

Both English and Yoruba are the official languages of Lagos state, Yoruba is compulsory for admission into universities and is compulsory in all private and public schools in Lagos State. Yoruba is also used in govermental proceedings as well as in plenaries. Yoruba is also used in very popular newspapers including but not limited to "Alaroye" which means "the explainer" and "Iroyin Owuro" which means "Morning News." These newspapers are distributed across Yorubaland and are available online in order to preserve the Yoruba language as well as close the bridge gap between Yoruba people who cannot understand English well. No longer will people think of Yoruba as inferior to English but Yoruba now will also be seen as an important language, and not as "outdated or old" as some young people now see it . Both English and Yoruba are very important languages in Lagos State. Lagos' laws and rules are available in both Yoruba and English

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 Administrative divisions (also administrative units, administrative regions, subnational entities, or constituent states, as well as many similar generic terms) are geographical areas into which a particular independent sovereign state is divi ...

, which are further divided into 20

local government areas A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory. The ph ...

, or LGAs. They are listed below with their populations as at the 2006 Census and as estimated for 21 March 2022 by the National Population Commission of Nigeria (web) and National Bureau of Statistics (web): The first 16 of the above LGAs comprise the statistical area of Metropolitan

, with 11,915,000 inhabitants in March 2022. 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 *

(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 The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is a Public university, public research university located in Lagos, Nigeria, which was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the education in Nigeria#First generation universities, first generation universities in ...

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 Giwa Gardens in the Sangotedo district is a water park that claims to be the largest in West Africa.

Demographics

Lagos state is in Yorubaland and the Yoruba language is predominant. The state attracts other non-Yorubas who live there in search of greener pastures attracting both

Nigerians Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jo ...

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 Alimosho and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government areas are predominantly populated by the Egba and Egbado Yoruba people. The area is rich in

culture Culture ( ) is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, Attitude (psychology), attitudes ...

, prominent amongst which are the Oro, Igunnu and Egungun annual festivals. 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.

Religion

The dominant religions in Lagos State are Christianity and Islam although a certain amount of traditional religion is still practiced. Churches represented include Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, 25.6% Roman Catholic, and many local and spiritual churches. Islam and traditional Yoruba spiritism are also practised. The Anglican Province of Lagos (2002) within the

Church of Nigeria The Church of Nigeria is the Anglicanism, Anglican Church body, church in Nigeria. It is the second-largest Province (Anglican), province in the Anglican Communion, as measured by baptised membership (not by attendance), after the Church of Englan ...

includes the four Dioceses of

(1919) led by Bishop Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye until he died 2022, Badagry led by Bishop Babatunde Joseph Adeyemi (2005), Lagos Mainland led by Bishop Akinpelu Johnson (2014) and Lagos West (1999) with 275 parishes led by Bishop James Olusola Odedeji (2013). 343,675 Catholics (2021) in Archdiocese of Lagos (1860 as the Vicariate Apostolic of Dahomey) with 184 parishes under Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins (2012).

Notable people

* Femi Ojo Ade, writer * Kemi Adetiba, film maker * Jimi Agbaje, politician * Henry Ajomale, politician *

Rilwan Akiolu Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu (born 29 October 1943) is the incumbent Oba of Lagos. Career After high school he served for 32 years in the Nigeria Police Force, entering the force in 1970. He served in various capacities, was promoted t ...

, Oba of Lagos * Akinwunmi Ambode, accountant and politician * Miyonse Amosu, chef and media personality * Ayodele Awojobi, academic * Segun Awosanya, advocate * Muiz Banire, lawyer * Basketmouth, comedian * Paul Boroh (born 1958), politician and retired Nigerian Army brigadier general * Henry Rawlingson Carr, educator * G. B. A. Coker, former Judge of Supreme Court Of Nigeria * F. C. O. Coker, first Nigerian Municipal Treasurer, former secretary to the Lagos State Government and the first president of ICAN * Lanre Towry-Coker, Nigerian Architect, politician * Davido, musician * Tony Elumelu, businessman * Falz, singer *

Babatunde Fashola Babatunde Raji Fashola ( ; born 28 June 1963) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the federal minister of Works and Housing of Nigeria from 2019 to 2023. He was the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (Nigeria), minister of Pow ...

, politician *

Femi Gbajabiamila Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila (born 25 June 1962), is a Nigerian lawyer and politician, who has served as Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria since 2023. He previously served as the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Niger ...

, politician * Bode George, politician * Ronke Giwa-Onafuwa, radio presenter * Adekunle Gold, singer * Amy Jadesimi, businesswoman * Oladipo Jadesimi, businessman * Lateef Jakande, politician * Mobolaji Johnson, First governor, Lagos State. * TB Joshua, Christian minister *

Fela Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997) was a Nigerians, Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre t ...

, musician * Mr Macaroni, comedian * Herbert Macaulay, nationalist * Musiliu Obanikoro, politician *

Hakeem Olajuwon Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon ( ; ; born January 21, 1963), nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian and American former professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played Center (basketball), center in the National Basketball Association (NB ...

, basketball player * Babatunde Olatunji, musician * Omos, professional wrestler * Bruce Onobrakpeya, artist * Oba Otudeko, businessman * Jim Ovia, businessman * Rahman Owokoniran, politician * Babajide Sanwo-Olu, state Governor * Toyin Saraki, healthcare philanthropist *

Wole Soyinka Wole Soyinka , (born 13 July 1934) is a Nigerian author, best known as a playwright and poet. He has written three novels, ten collections of short stories, seven poetry collections, twenty five plays and five memoirs. He also wrote two transla ...

, writer * Bola Tinubu, politician * Efunroye Tinubu, aristocrat * Remi Tinubu, politician * Banky W., entertainer and politician * Funsho Williams, politician * Wizkid, musician

References

External links

Lagos State Government official website

History and Cities in Lagos
{{Portal bar, Nigeria States of Nigeria States in Yorubaland States and territories established in 1967 1967 establishments in Nigeria