Urban Growth in Lagos
Geography: KS3, topic 4.4.3
Urban Growth in Lagos
Lagos' state government says the population of Lagos is 17.5 million. The national government claims it is 21 million people. Either way, Lagos is a megacity. It is the largest city in Nigeria.
Lagos' connection with Nigeria and the world
- Lagos was the capital of Nigeria until 1991.
- Lagos' airport Murtala Muhammed is very well-connected with Africa and the rest of the world. In 2017, it was the 8th busiest airport in Africa by passenger numbers. Having a large airport is also good for business and trade.
- Lagos is located on the coast and has a large port out of Lagos lagoon.
Demographic and healthcare
- The annual rate of natural increase in Nigeria is 25% every 5 years.
- The life expectancy of someone living in Lagos is 54.5 years. Across Nigeria as a whole, the average life expectancy is 53.4 years.
- There are more doctors and hospitals in Lagos than in the surrounding rural areas.
Social opportunities from urban growth in Lagos
- In 2010, the adult literacy rate of people living in Lagos was 92% (92% of people in Lagos can read and write).
- In some rural states, the adult literacy rate was as low as 14% and it was 57% on average in Nigeria.
- Lagos has clean water supplies, electricity into housing and good entertainment centres and malls.
Economic opportunities from urban growth in Lagos
- In 2019, Nigerian startups raised $600 million in investor funding.
- This is 50% of all the startup investment in Africa and most of this funding was negotiated in Nigerian cities.
- 30% of the Nigerian population works in agriculture.
- In 2018, the GDP per capita in Lagos was $5,000 (twice the GDP per capita of Nigeria).
- Lagos is Nigeria's biggest city for banking, investment, and international transactions.
- Tourists are attracted to the Millenium Park in Lagos.
Housing opportunities
- Despite urban growth, housing in Nigeria is 77% more expensive and food is 26% more expensive in African cities (vs rural areas).
Test yourself on Urban Growth in Lagos
Roughly what is the population of Lagos?
How much more money do people in Lagos earn relative to the people living elsewhere in Nigeria?
Lagos is a megacity found in Nigeria. What type of country is Nigeria?
What are the social benefits of living in Lagos compared to rural areas in Nigeria?