Lagos is the most populated city in Africa. It has a population of 21 million and still multiplying.
In the recent past, Africa’s urban centres have experienced exponential grows.
One of the main reasons why these urban centres become developed is the increase in population. People leave their rural areas to move to the cities in search of better livelihoods.
Most African cities are densely populated, for example, Nairobi, Cairo, Kinshasa and Johannesburg.
The cities experience population growth for the same reasons: people searching for greener pastures. The increase in population comes with its fair share of blessings and curses.
While it guarantees economic growth of the given city it also gives rise to social evils such as crimes poor living standards which result in mushrooming of slums.
In this article, we discuss the most populated city in Africa Lagos. In this article, you will be able to learn about Lagos’s history and why it’s the most populated and also the fastest growing city in the world.
History of Lagos The Most populated City in Africa
Lagos is one of the cities in the state of Nigeria. Lagos means lakes in Portuguese and Eko in Yoruba was initially inhabited by the Awori subtribe of the Yoruba people.
At that time slave trade was on the rise with the main customers being the French, Americans Portuguese and Cubans.
With the help of the British Lagos was able to stop the slave trade and was declared a colony on 5th March 1862.
It was under British rule until 1960 when it gained its independence. Lagos became the capital city of Nigeria from colonial times until after independence.
The early development of Lagos was done by returnee former slaves, also known as Creoles. The Creoles contributed to the city’s modernization thanks to their knowledge of Portuguese architecture.
Their works are still evident in the infrastructure of Lagos.
Lagos Main Economic Activities
Since colonial times to date, Lagos has experienced rapid economic growth. If it were to be a country on its own, it would be one of the most significant economies in Africa today.
From the days of the slave trade to the discovery of oil, Lagos has managed to diversify its economy; thus, it does not entirely depend on oil and gas for its stability.
Also, it covers only a 0.4th of Nigeria’s land, but it’s responsible for over 60% of industrial and commercial activities in Nigeria.
And it generates over 75% in terms of revenue which are not resulting from oil revenues.
On the other hand, the retail sector alone produces $90 billion in goods and services.
Lagos Safety Rates
With the increase in populations, the city’s resources are stretched to the limits. As a result, most of them become slum dwellers.
This has led to increased cases of crime in Lagos. Crimes that are rampant in Lagos are, for example, Kidnappings, carjacking, assault, extortion, armed muggings, and burglaries.
The United States of America helps in overseeing the overseas Security Council gives the crime rate of Lagos as critical.
Index Info
Crime Index: 65.12
Safety Index: 34.88
What Makes Lagos Famous?
Lagos is famous for its beach resorts and nightlife activities. Nigeria has 36 states, and Lagos is the smallest of them all but the sixth-largest city by population in the world.
It is also the most financially stable state in the nation.
Below are some of the things that put Lagos on the map of fame
Lagos has the tallest building in West Africa. The NECOM House Towers is 160m above the city.
- It also has the longest bridge in Africa. Julius Berger Nigeria plc built the Ibrahim Babangida Bridge. And it connects Lagos Island to the mainland. It measures 11.8km until 1996.
- 80% of the country’s imports are handled by the Lagos port. Lagos is located in the south-west beach line of Nigeria.
- It is also famous for the pre-colonial slave trade. It was the main slave trade centre. The slave trade lasted for four decades but finally ended in 1847.
- Lagos is one of the few cities in the world that maintained its status even after independence from the British in 1960. And, it remained so from 1914 to 1991 when Abuja replaced it.
Tourist attractions in Lagos Nigeria
Great examples of tourist attractions in Lagos are,
- National Theatre
- Nigeria National museum
- The New Afrika Shrine
- Hi-Impact Planet
- Lekki Conservation Centre
- Tarkwa Bay Beach
- Lekki Leisure Lake
- Terra Kulture
- Elegushi Beach
- Club Quilox
- Ikeja City Mall
- GET Arena
Final Thoughts on the Most Populated City in Africa
Other than the high crime rate and lack of better living conditions. Lagos remains one of the strongest economies in not just Africa but the world.
You can be assured of growth economically if you decide to settle here but also if you are a tourist, then its got the best of tourist attractions to offer.
