Lagos Case study

• Lagos is on the west coast of Africa in Nigeria
• Lagos is a costal city in the SW of Nigeria next to the gulf of Guinea
• Lagos has a population of over 15million people and is Africa's biggest city and fastest growing in the world
• Regional Importance:

  • home to 10% of Nigeria's population
  • History of economic growth and generates highest money earned in Nigeria
• National Importance:

  • Centre of trade and commerce
  • 80% of industry based here
  • Generated around 30% of Nigeria's GNI
• International Importance:

  • Main financial centre of West Africa
  • Has a Substantial and growing foreign born population
  • 80% of west African flights go into Lagos
• Pull Factors of Lagos:

  • Higher job availability than rest of Nigeria
  • Accessible healthcare (not free)
  • School and University availability
  • Jobs can be found in informal sector if no formal sector jobs available
• Social Opportunity: Health Care

  • Is available in Lagos although not always free
  • Causes an increase in Life expectancy
• Social Opportunity: Education

  • More schools and Universities than anywhere in Nigeria
  • Increased expected of schooling leading to the educated more likely of finding work
• Economic Opportunity: Employment

  • More jobs available than anywhere in Nigeria
  • Helps increase GNI per capita
• Economic Opportunity: Major Industrial Centre

  It contributes 30% of Nigeria's GNI because of:

  • Costal Location
  • Major International Airport
  • High Population
  • Educate and skilled workforce available
• 60% of Nigeria's population live in squatter settlements
• Challenge: Unemployment

  • was at 9.9% in 2015 but didn't have an unemployment benefit

  It was managed by:

  • People finding work in the informal sector
  • This allows people to work and helps the city function
  • Government encouraging entrepreneurship to reduce unemployment
• Challenge: Crime

  • High levels of violent street crime
  • High murder rate - 246 in 2015-2016

  Managed by:

  • Brought 3 helicopters to spot criminal activity
  • Using community policing
  • DNA forensic lab established
• Challenge: Air Pollution

  • unreliable electric causes reliance on generators
  • Burning of waste pollutes area
  • Heavy traffic and exhaust fume pollution
  • Asthma and respitory diseases are issues

  Solutions:

  • City pledged to stop importing dirty fuel
  • Attempt to improve public transport
  • Banned generator imports
• Challenge: Water Pollution

  • 10% of population has a treated water supply
  • Drinking water contains bacteria and chemical pollution causing disease
  • Lack of proper sewage system
  • Untreated water enters the Lagoon

  Solutions:

  • Water regulatory commission set up to issue licenses for boreholes for safe water supply
  • Water supply plan set up to tackle water demand gap
• Challenge: Waste Pollution

  • Industrial waste dumped with household waste
  • 10,000 tons produced per day
  • Natural gas build up underneath waste - can causes fires

  Solutions:

  • Rubbish turned into energy using methane - plan to be used to generate electricity
  • People save money by recycling goods from dumps like Olusosun
• Challenge: Traffic Congestion

  • Most congested city in the world
  • Average commuter spends 3hrs a day in traffic
  • Fatal accident rate 3x higher than European cities
  • Air pollution is 5x higher than recommended limit


  Solutions:

  • Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system - separate traffic lane for buses to reduce travel time (not enough in city yet)
  • Building new rail systems
  • Plans for ferry network
  • Plans for new airport away from congested areas