Challenges of Urban Growth

• Environmental

  Huge population produces over 9000 tonnes of waste a day

  Only 40% is collected
• Environmental

  Waste disposal and emissions from factories are not regulated leading to pollution of the water and air
• Environmental

  Traffic congestion is a major problem leading to an increase in the air pollution

  Many commuters face a 2 hour journey during rush hour

  Limited public transport
• Social

  Only 40% of the city is connected to the state water supply meaning that there is little water to go around
• Social

  House construction can't keep up with Lagos' population growth

  66% of people live in slums (illegal settlements)
• Social

  Up to 15 houses can share a toilet and waste often directly contaminates the local water sources

  Can cause diseases like cholera
• Economic

  Not enough jobs to keep up with rapid population growth

  Pushes people to go into the informal economy which doesn't help the government fix the issue as it is cash in hand and so no taxes are paid on earned money
• Social/Economic

  Lagos doesn't have enough electricity to power the whole city at once and cannot afford to import it

  Many rely on generators for power which are noisy, unreliable and expensive
• Social/Economic


  There aren't enough healthcare facilities for everyone and many cannot afford treatment
• Social/Economic


  Schools struggle to keep up with a rapidly growing population, many families cannot afford for their children to go to school
• Rapid growth in population has led to 20000 people per square kilometre