Lagos

Lagos State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. It is the smallest state in Nigeria by land area but the most populous, making it a bustling economic and commercial hub. The state was created on May 27, 1967, and its capital city is Ikeja, although the largest city and major economic center is Lagos.

Geographically, Lagos State is situated on the Atlantic coastline, sharing borders with Ogun State to the north and east. The state covers an area of approximately 3,345 square kilometers (1,292 square miles). It consists of both mainland and several islands, including Lagos Island, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi.

Lagos State is widely regarded as the economic nerve center of Nigeria. It is home to Nigeria's largest seaports, including the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port, which facilitate extensive trade and commerce. The state also has a vibrant manufacturing sector, financial institutions, technology hubs, and a robust entertainment industry, contributing significantly to the national economy.

The state's population is diverse, comprising people from different ethnic groups in Nigeria and a significant expatriate community. Lagos State has been inhabited for years by various indigenous ethnic groups, primarily the majority Yoruba people that 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, 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 that 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 Benin Republic, China, Ghana, India, Togo, and the United Kingdom. Religiously, the state is also diverse, as there is a sizable number of Christian, Muslim and traditional ethnic religions.

The topography of Lagos is dominated by its system of islands, sandbars, and lagoons. The city itself sprawls over what used to be the four main islands: Lagos, Iddo (now attached to the mainland), Ikoyi (now attached to Lagos Island), and Victoria (now the tip of the Lekki Peninsula); because of land reclamation efforts over the years, some of the original main islands are no longer true islands. A system of bridges connect some of Lagos’s islands to each other and to the mainland. All the territory is low-lying, the highest point on Lagos Island being only 22 feet (7 metres) above sea level.

Lagos state is served by a main line of the Nigerian Railways (which has its central yards in Lagos city) and the trunk highway system; Ikorodu, Mushin, and Ikeja are thereby linked to Lagos city. Epe, the state’s other major town, is served by secondary highways and is also a seaport. Lagos is served by Murtala Muhammed International Airport, located in Ikeja. Area 1,292 square miles (3,345 square km). Pop. (2006) 9,013,534.

6 interesting facts about Lagos

1. It has the Tallest Building in West Africa.

Lagos state hosts the tallest building in West Africa, NECOM house towers and it is 160m above the city.

2. The Third Mainland Bridge which connects Lagos Island to the mainland was the longest bridge in Africa measuring 11.8 km until 1996. Built by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the official name of the bridge is Ibrahim Babangida Bridge.

3. Lagos Handles 80% of the Country’s Imports

Lagos handles majority of Nigeria's imports. Located in the Southwest beach line of Nigeria, Lagos port is responsible for processing 80% of goods in Nigeria.

This port is also mentioned as one of the top 10 in Africa.

4. Lagos was called Eko before colonisation by locals. It served as a major centre for slave-trade, from which then Oba of Benin Ado and all of his successors for over four centuries supported - until 1841 when Oba Akitoye ascended to the throne of Lagos and attempted to ban slave-trading.

Local merchants strongly opposed the intended move, and deposed, exiled the king and installed Akitoye's brother Kosoko as Oba.

5. Lagos maintained its status as capital when Nigeria obtained its independence from Britain in 1960. Lagos was, therefore, the capital city of Nigeria from 1914 until 1991, when it was replaced with Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory.

6. Until the coming of the Benins, Lagos's geographic boundary was Lagos Mainland. Lagos Island, the seat of the Oba of Lagos, then consisted of a pepper farm and fishing posts. No one lived there. The name Eko was given to it by its first king, Oba Ado, during its early history. Lagos also saw periods of rule by the Kingdom of Benin.

Key points about Lagos State:

1. Economy: Lagos State is the economic powerhouse of Nigeria, with a thriving financial sector, manufacturing, commerce, and a growing technology industry. It attracts local and international investments and is a major employment hub.

2. Transportation: The state faces significant traffic challenges due to its dense population and urbanization. However, efforts have been made to improve transportation infrastructure, including the construction of roads, bridges, and the expansion of the Mass Transit System (BRT) and the Lagos-Ibadan railway line.

3. Landmarks and attractions: Lagos State offers several landmarks and tourist attractions, such as the National Museum Lagos, Lekki Conservation Centre, Tafawa Balewa Square, Nike Art Gallery, and the historic slave trade site of Badagry.

4. Education: The state is home to reputable educational institutions, including the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and several private universities, colleges, and secondary schools.

5. Festivals and Culture: Lagos State celebrates various cultural festivals, such as the Eyo Festival, Lagos Carnival, and Lagos International Jazz Festival. These events showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state.

With help from Wikepedia, Encyclopædia Britannica and Pulse.ng.