Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos is Nigeria's largest city, West Africa's biggest urban area, and one of the fastest-growing megacities on the planet. Although it lost national capital status to Abuja in 1991, Lagos remains Nigeria's commercial, financial and cultural heart.
Highlights
- Largest city in Africa by population
- Hub of the Afrobeats music industry and Nollywood film production
- Major Atlantic port and one of West Africa's largest financial centres
- Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, Tarkwa Bay Beach
History
Originally a Yoruba fishing village called Eko, Lagos grew under the Portuguese, was annexed by Britain in 1861, served as Nigeria's capital after independence in 1960, and was replaced by Abuja in 1991. Despite losing capital status it has continued to dominate Nigerian economic life, expanding into one of the world's largest urban agglomerations.
Economy
Lagos accounts for an estimated 30% of Nigeria's GDP and is home to the headquarters of major Nigerian and African banks, telecoms (MTN, Globacom), and Africa's largest tech ecosystem ('Silicon Lagoon') including Flutterwave, Andela and Paystack alumni.
Neighborhoods
Victoria Island and Ikoyi are the upscale business districts; Lagos Island holds the historic centre; the Mainland holds the bulk of the population in areas like Surulere, Ikeja and Yaba; the Lekki–Epe corridor is the rapidly expanding new business zone.
Distances from Lagos
Calculate distance and flight time from Lagos to other major African cities: