lagos case study

• Where is Lagos located?

  Lagos is a city located on the south-west coast of Nigeria - a country in Africa.
• What is the population of Lagos estimated to be?

  14 million.
• What is Lagos' annual population growth rate?

  3.2%
• What makes Lagos regionally important?

  • The large migrant population increases cultural diversity. It is also very well connected to other major towns, making it an important centre for regional trade.
  • Eko Atlantic - development of new homes, hotels, tourism and finance industry. In the process employing 150000 people in construction and providing homes for 250000 people.
• What makes Lagos nationally important?

  Lagos is home to 80% of Nigeria's industry, as well as many global companies. Lagos was also the capital of Nigeria until Abuja became capital in 1991.
• What makes Lagos internationally important?

  Lagos is the main financial centre for the whole of West Africa and the 5th largest economy on the continent. The international port and airport are important for global trade.
• List the causes of growth affecting Lagos.

  • Economic development is very limited in the countryside

  • More jobs are available in Lagos due to the government financing lots of construction projects (e.g. oil refineries, sea ports and factories)

  • Boko Haram present in rural areas - people scared for their lives

  • Greater freedoms in Lagos and there is more cultural diversity in the city

  • Changing climate is making the weather less predictable for farmers

  • There are more schools in Lagos - if you are educated you are more likely to find work
• Describe the natural increase occurring in Nigeria.

  Nigeria's birth rate is roughly 35.2 births per 1000 people, compared to a death rate of around 9.6, so the population is rapidly increasing.
• Describe the migration occurring in Lagos.

  An estimated 1200 immigrants enter Lagos every day, either from neighbouring countries (e.g. Chad and Niger) or from rural areas in northern Nigeria. Much of this rural-urban migration is due to ethnic and religious conflict and high levels of poverty elsewhere in Nigeria and Africa. Many people expect a better quality of life in Lagos.
• Give examples of how Lagos has better access to services than rural Nigeria.

  1) There are more healthcare centres, hospitals and a better range of medicines in Lagos.

  2) Almost 90% of Nigerian children in urban areas attend primary school - only around 60% in rural areas attend school. The state Lagos is in has almost 20,000 schools.
• Give examples of how Lagos has better access to resources than rural Nigeria.

  1) Lagos has better access to electricity than much of Nigeria - the city uses about 40% of the country's electricity supply. Many people can light their homes and cook more easily.

  2) Water treatment plants provide safe water that is piped directly to some areas of the city.
• How many times higher can incomes in Lagos be compared to rural Nigeria? What does this result in?

  Incomes can be four times higher in Lagos than in rural Nigeria, so many people migrate in search of better paid jobs.
• Describe the challenges in Lagos due to slums and squatter settlements.

  1) House construction can't keep up with Lagos' population growth, increasing house prices and making them too costly for many people. As a result, 66% of people in Lagos live in illegal settlements (slums).

  2) Houses in slums are often flimsy wooden huts. As they are built illegally, people face eviction if slums are demolished to clean up the city.
• Describe the challenges in Lagos due to access to clean water.

  Only about 40% of the city is connected to the state water supply. Water is in such short supply that people pay hugely inflated prices to get water from informal sellers.
• Describe the challenges in Lagos due to access to sanitation.

  Up to 15 households can share a toilet, and waste often goes straight into local water sources. Contaminated water can cause health problems, e.g. cholera.
• Describe the challenges in Lagos due to access to energy.

  Lagos doesn't have enough electricity to power the whole city at once, so neighbourhoods take it in turns. Some people get electricity from illegal connections, but these often cut out.
• Describe the challenges in Lagos due to access to healthcare.

  There aren't enough healthcare facilities for everyone and many people can't afford treatment.
• Describe the challenges in Lagos due to access to education.

  There aren't enough schools for the growing population (e.g. there is only one primary school in the Makoko slum) and many families can't afford to send their children to school.
• Describe the challenges in Lagos due to unemployment and crime.

  1) There aren't enough formal jobs for the growing population - people have to find other ways to make money due to the 20% unemployment rate, e.g. by scavenging items to sell from rubbish dumps.

  2) About 60% of the population work in informal jobs without any legal protection. E.g. street sellers' stalls may be bulldozed to make way for new developments.

  3) There are high levels of crime - many slums, e.g. Makoko, are patrolled by gangs called 'area boys' who commit crimes and police the slum themselves.
• List the positives of the informal economy in Lagos.

  • 90% of all new jobs in Lagos

  • Money stays within the local community

  • Jobs are beneficial to the general public

  • Enterprise city
• List the negatives of the informal economy in Lagos.

  • Not taxed = less funding for healthcare, transport, education etc.

  • No guaranteed regular pay

  • No sick pay or benefits

  • Long hours

  • Hard work often in dangerous conditions
• Who are often the worst affected by urban growth problems in urban areas?

  The poorest people.
• Give an example of an urban planning scheme in Lagos and what it aimed to achieve.

  In 2013, the Makoko Floating School Prototype was built by NLE Works to give some of the poorest children in Lagos access to free education. The scheme aimed to increase Makoko's development and improve the quality of life of its residents.
• List and explain the social benefits of the Makoko Floating School prototype.

  • Up to 100 students could be educated for free - this meant that they didn't need to work or scavenge to pay school fees.

  • The school was built by unskilled local workers - the skills they learnt equipped them to build and repair their own homes.

  • The school was also used for local community meetings and activities, increasing Makoko's community spirit.
• List and explain the economic benefits of the Makoko Floating School prototype.

  • Education improved local children's job prospects.

  • The school provided jobs for local teachers.

  • The school's success encouraged the government to launch its 'Makoko/ Iwaya Regeneration Plan'. This aims to develop the slum further, e.g. by building homes and a bio-gas plant to produce cooking gas for local people.
• List and explain the environmental benefits of the Makoko Floating School prototype.

  • The school was built using locally sourced materials, including 250 floating barrels. This meant that its construction didn't harm the local environment and repairs would be easy.

  • The school's buoyancy allowed it to adjust to different water levels, and protect children from floods.

  • The school ran on solar power so its energy needs were met in a sustainable way.

  • The school collected rainwater to meet its water needs - this meant that it didn't use resources that the local community relied on.
• What happened to the original floating school in Makoko?

  Unfortunately, the original floating school collapsed after a storm in 2016, but Makoko's residents vowed to rebuilt it. The school's architect unveiled plans for a new, stronger version of the school later in 2016.
• How has urban growth created environmental issues?

  • The huge population produces over 9000 tonnes of waste a day, of which only 40% is officially collected. There are large rubbish dumps, e.g. Olusosun, which contain toxic waste.
  • Waste disposal and emissions from factories are not regulated or controlled, leading to water and air pollution.
  • Traffic congestion is bad - many workers face 2 hour commutes in rush hours, known as the 'go slow'. Limited public transport and poor links to the city centre worsen this problem. The severe congestion leads to further air pollution.
  • 80% of forest in and around Lagos was cut down for urban expansion.