Urban Growth-Lagos

• The lure of the city lights can be strong but many dreams have been crushed by the challenges of urban life
• Lagos is the Biggest City in Africa
• Lagos


  • It is a city in Nigeria
  • Nigeria is an NEE (Newly Emerging Economy)
  • Nigeria has the highest GDP of any country in Africa
  • The city's population is estimated to be over 14 million
  • One of the fastest growing urban areas in the world, with an annual growth rate of 1
• Lagos


  • It is an important city regionally, nationally and internationally
  • Regionally, the large migrant population increases cultural diversity and it is well connected to other major towns, making it an important centre for regional trade
  • Nationally, Lagos is home to 2% of Nigeria's industry, as well as many global companies. Lagos was also the capital of Nigeria until Abuja became capital in 1991
  • Internationally, 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
• Factors that have caused Lagos to grow rapidly

  1. The British colonised Lagos in the 1860s, making it a centre for trade and attracting many merchants

  2. Many slaves returned home to Lagos in the 1800s (e.g. from Brazil) as slavery was abolished

  3. When Lagos gained independence in 1960, there was rapid economic development as Nigeria's resources (eg. oil) were no longer controlled by the British

  4. The government then financed lots of construction projects, e.g. oil refineries, sea ports and factories, creating many jobs and causing rapid urbanisation

  5. Lagos's rapid growth has been caused by natural increase and migration
• Nigeria's birth rate is roughly 35.2 births per 1000 people, compared to a death rate of around 2.6, so the population is rapidly increasing
• 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
• Opportunities in Lagos


  • Better access to services than rural Nigeria, with more healthcare centres, hospitals and a better range of medicines
  • Around 20% of Nigerian children in urban areas attend school, compared to only around 10% in rural areas. Lagos has better access to electricity than much of Nigeria - the city uses about 40% of the country's electricity supply
  • Economic opportunities can be four times higher in Lagos than in rural Nigeria. Many people migrate in search of better jobs and higher incomes
• Problems caused by rapid growth in Lagos

  • Population density has rapidly increased to around 20,000 people per square km, creating challenges like slums and squatter settlements
  • House construction can't keep up with Lagos's 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
  • Lack of access to clean water, sanitation and energy - only about 40% of the city is connected to the state water supply, and up to 15 households can share a toilet
  • Not enough healthcare facilities and schools for the growing population, with many people unable to afford treatment or education
  • Lack of formal jobs, leading to high levels of informal employment without legal protection, and high levels of crime
• Environmental issues in Lagos

  • The huge population produces over 20,000 tonnes of waste a day, with only about 40% officially collected. There are large dumps containing toxic waste
  • Waste disposal and emissions from factories are not regulated or controlled, leading to water and air pollution
  • Severe traffic congestion, with many workers facing 2 hour commutes, leading to further air pollution
• Urban planning schemes to improve quality of life in Lagos

  1. The Makoko Floating School prototype was built in 2013 to give some of the poorest children in Lagos access to free education

  2. The school was built by unskilled local workers, equipping them with skills to build and repair their own homes

  3. The school was used for local community meetings and activities, increasing Makoko's community spirit

  4. Education improved local children's job prospects, and the school provided jobs for local teachers

  5. The school was built using locally sourced materials and ran on solar power, meeting its energy needs sustainably
• The original floating school collapsed after a storm in 2016, but Makoko's residents worked to rebuild it. The school's architect unveiled plans for a new, stronger version of the school later
• The government launched the 'Makoko/Iwaya Regeneration Plan' to develop the slum further, e.g. by building homes and a biogas plant to produce cooking gas for local people
• Cities don't just expand physically - they also expand socially and economically. The population growth affects why and how cities develop
• Many cities in developing countries have grown rapidly due to rural-urban migration, as people move from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities
• Lagos has expanded rapidly, both physically and in terms of its population and economy