Lagos State


Lagos, sometimes referred to as Lagos State to distinguish it from Lagos Metropolitan Area, is a state located in southwestern Nigeria. The smallest in area of Nigeria's 36 states, Lagos State is arguably the most economically important state of the country, containing Lagos, the nation's largest urban area. It is a major financial centre and would be the fifth largest economy in Africa, if it were a country.
It has the highest population density of Nigeria's states.
The actual population total is disputed between the official Nigerian Census of 2006 and a much higher figure claimed by the Lagos State Government.
Lagos State is bounded on the north and east by Ogun State. In the west it shares boundaries with the Republic of Benin. Behind its southern borders lies the Atlantic Ocean. 22% of its 3,577 km2 are lagoons and creeks.
Victoria Island, the financial center of the metropolis, is known for its beach resorts, boutiques and nightlife. To the north, Lagos Island is home to the National Museum Lagos, displaying cultural artifacts and craftworks. Nearby is Freedom Park, once a colonial-era prison and now a major venue for concerts and public events.

History

Early history

Before the Portuguese name of Lagos had been adopted, Lagos' initial name was Ipinne Eko which referred mainly to the Island. The first to settle in Eko were the Aworis. The Awori hunters and fishermen had originally come from Ile-Ife to the coast.

Postcolonial era

Lagos State was created on 27 May 1967 according to the State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into a Federation of 12 states. Before the issuance of this Decree, Lagos city, which was the country's capital had been administered directly by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs. However, Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe, surulere and Badagry were administered by the then Western Region Government. Lagos, the city, along with these other towns were captured to create the state of Lagos, with the state becoming fully recognized as a semi-autonomous administrative division on 11 April 1968. Lagos served the dual role of being the State and Federal Capital until 1976, when the capital of the State was moved to Ikeja. After the full establishment of the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of the Federal Government was also formally relocated to Abuja on 12 December 1991. Nevertheless, Lagos still remains the financial centre of the country, and also grew to become the most populous city in the state and the country.

Cities and towns

Lagos

Lagos is the most populous city in the state and in Nigeria as a whole. The conurbation is one of the most populous in the world. As of 2015, the population of Lagos city was approximately 16 million. Lagos is a port which originated on islands separated by creeks, such as Lagos Island, fringing the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon while protected from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands and long sand spits such as Bar Beach, which stretch up to east and west of the mouth. The metropolitan area of Lagos includes Ikeja and Agege and Mushin.

Ikeja

Ikeja is the state capital of Lagos State. Ikeja is a well planned, clean and quiet residential and commercial town with shopping malls, pharmacies and government reservation areas. The Murtala Mohammed International Airport is in Ikeja. Ikeja is also home to , Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi house and Lagbaja's Motherland. It also boasts the largest shopping mall on the mainland.

Lekki

Lekki is a city in the south eastern part of the state. It is a naturally formed peninsula, which is still largely under construction. As of 2015, only phase 1 of the project has been completed, with phase 2 nearing completion. The peninsula is approximately 70 to 80 km long, with an average width of 10 km. Lekki currently houses several estates, gated residential developments, agricultural farmlands, areas allocated for a Free Trade Zone, an airport, and a sea port under construction. The proposed land use master plan for the Lekki envisages the Peninsula as a "Blue-Green Environment City", expected to accommodate over 3.4 million residential population and an additional non-residential population of at least 1.9 million.

Ikorodu

Ikorodu is a city located north east of the state along the Lagos Lagoon. It shares a boundary with Ogun State. As of the 2006 Census Ikorodu had a population of 535,619.

Eko Atlantic

Eko Atlantic is a planned city being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean. It is located on the former Lagos' Bar Beach. Upon completion, the new island which is still under development is anticipating at least 250,000 residents and a daily flow of at least 150,000 commuters. The development will also have a positive environmental impact; its purpose is to stop the erosion of the Lagos coastline. The Eko Atlantic City project received global recognition in 2009, as the Lagos State government and its private sector partners on the Project, South Energyx, received the Clinton Global Initiative Commitment Certificate.

Badagry

Badagry is a coastal town in the state. It is situated between Metropolitan Lagos, and the border with Benin at Seme. As of the preliminary 2006 census results, the municipality had a population of 241,093.
The area is led by a traditional chief, – Toyi 1, who is also the permanent vice-chairman of obas and chiefs in Lagos State.
Badagry is home to the Egun people who are predominantly fishermen.

Epe

Epe is a town located on the north side of the Lekki Lagoon. It is popular for the fishing activities attributed to the city. Per the 2006 Census the population of Epe was 181,409.

Ojo

Ojo is a town with a population of 507,693. Lagos State University is in this town.

Economy

Lagos State is a major economic centre of Nigeria. It would be the fifth largest economy in Africa if it were a country.
Lagos State houses headquarters of most conglomerates and commercial banks in Nigeria.
Its total generated revenue in 2017 was around ₦334 billion, growing by 10.43% compared to 2016.

Government

Since its creation in 1967, the state has been administered either by a governor and a House of Assembly in civilian or quasi-civilian federal administrations, or by Sole-Administrators or Military Administrators in military dispensations. Since December 2007, Yoruba has been the second official language of debate and discussion for the House of Assembly after English. The current governor of Lagos State is Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who emerged victorious in the March 9, 2019 Governorship elections.

Administrative divisions

Local Government Areas

Lagos State is divided into five administrative divisions, which are further divided into 20 local government areas, or LGAs. They are:
LGA nameArea Census 2006
population		Administrative capitalPostal
code
Agege11459,939Agege100
Alimosho1851,277,714Ikotun100
Ifako-Ijaye27427,878Ifako100
Ikeja46313,196Ikeja100
Kosofe81665,393Kosofe100
Mushin17633,009Mushin100
Oshodi-Isolo45621,509Oshodi/Isolo100
Shomolu12402,673Shomolu101
Ikeja Division4244,801,311
Apapa27217,362Apapa101
Eti-Osa192287,785Ikoyi101
Lagos Island9209,437Lagos Island101
Lagos Mainland19317,720Lagos Mainland101
Surulere23503,975Surulere101
Lagos Division2701,542,279
Ajeromi-Ifelodun12684,105Ajeromi/Ifelodun102
Amuwo-Odofin135318,166Festac Town102
Ojo158598,071Ojo102
Badagry441241,093Badagry103
Badagry Division7461,841,435
Ikorodu394535,619Ikorodu104
Ikorodu Division394535,619
Ibeju-Lekki455117,481Akodo105
Epe1,185181,409Epe106
Epe Division1,640298,890
Total3,4749,019,534Ikeja

The first 16 of the above LGAs comprise the statistical area of Metropolitan Lagos. The remaining four LGAs are within Lagos State but are not part of Metropolitan Lagos.

Local council development areas

In 2003, many of the existing 20 LGAs were split for administrative purposes into Local Council Development Areas. These lower-tier administrative units now number 56: Agbado/Oke-Odo, Agboyi/Ketu, Agege, Ajeromi, Alimosho, Apapa, Apapa-Iganmu, Ayobo/Ipaja, Badagry West, Badagry, Bariga, Coker Aguda, Egbe Idimu, Ejigbo, Epe, Eredo, Eti Osa East, Eti Osa West, Iba, Isolo, Imota, Ikoyi, Ibeju, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ifelodun, Igando/Ikotun, Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede, Ikeja, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Ikosi Ejinrin, Ikorodu, Ikorodu West, Iru/Victoria Island, Itire Ikate, Kosofe, Lagos Island West, Lagos Island East, Lagos Mainland, Lekki, Mosan/Okunola, Mushin, Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye, Ojo, Ojodu, Ojokoro, Olorunda, Onigbongbo, Oriade, Orile Agege, Oshodi, Oto-Awori, Shomolu, Surulere and Yaba.

Postal districts

This is a list of postal districts in Lagos State organised by local government area and postal district, with postal codes also given.
LGADistrictPostal code
Ajeromi IfelodunAjeromi102103
Amuwo OdofinAmuwo odofin102102
Amuwo OdofinTrade fair complex102101
BadagryBadagry103101
EpeAgbowa106104
EpeEjinrin106102
EpeEpe106101
EpeErodo106103
Ibeju-LekkiIbeju105101
Ibeju-LekkiKekki105102
IkoroduIkorodu rural104101
IkoroduIrepodun104102
OjoAjangbadi Afromedia102104
OjoAjangbadi Ikemba house102107
OjoAlaba102115
OjoIba town new site102112
OjoIgbede102109
OjoIgbo Elerin102106
OjoIlemba Awori102108
OjoIlogbo102110
OjoIra102114
OjoOjo102101
OjoOkokomaiko102105
OjoOlojo102113
OjoShibiri Ekune102111

Electoral wards

Below is a list of polling units, including villages and schools, organised by electoral ward.
LGAWards
AgegeIsale/Idimangoro; Iloro/Onipetesi; Oniwaya/Papa-Uku; Agbotikuyo/Dopemu; Oyewole/Papa Ashafa; Okekoto; Keke; Darocha; Tabon Tabon/Oko Oba; Orile Agege/Oko Oba; Isale Odo
Ajeromi/IfelodunAgo Hausa; Awodi-Ora; Wilmer; Olodi; Tolu; Temidire I; Ojo Road; Layeni; Alaba Oro; Mosafejo; Temidire II
AlimoshoShasha/Akowonjo; Egbeda/Alimosho; Idimu/Isheri Olofin; Akesan; Ikotun/Ijegun; Egbe/Agodo; Igando/Egan; Ipaja North; Ipaja South; Ayobo/Ijon Village ; Pleasure/Oke-Odo; Abule-Egba/Aboru/Meiran/Alagbado
Amuwo-OdofinAmuwo-Odofin Housing Estate, Mile 2; Festac 1; Festac II; Kirikiri; Amuwo; Ijegun; Satellite; Irede; Ibeshe; Igbologun; Festac III
ApapaApapa I ; Apapa II ; Apapa III ; Ijora-Oloye; Olodan St. Olojowou St/Alh. Dogo Olatokunbo St. Iganmu; Gaskiya & environs; Afolabi Alasia Str. and environs; Malu Road and environs; Sari and environs
BadagryPosukoh; Awhanjigoh; Ibereko; Keta-East; Iworo Gbanko; Ajido; Ilogbo-Araromi; Ikoga; Ajara; Iya-Afin
EpeEtita/Ebode; Lagbade; Popo-Oba; Oke-Balogun; Ajaganabe; Ise/Igbogun; Oriba/Ladaba; Abomiti; Agbowa; Agbowa Ikosi; Ago Owu; Orugbo; Ilara; Ibonwon; Odoragunsin; Poka; Odomola; Ejirin; Itoikin
Eti-OsaVictoria Island I; Victoria Island II; Ilasan Housing Estate; Lekki/Ikate and environs; Ilado/Eti-Osa and environs; Ajah/Sangotedo; Ado/Langbasa/Badore; Ikoyi I; Ikoyi II; Obalende
Ibeju/LekkiIbeju I; N2, ; Orimedu I; 02, ; 03, ; P1, ; Iwerekun II; S1, ; Lekki II; S2, ; S,2a
Ifako-IjayeIjaye; Old Ifako/Karaole; New Ifako/Oyemekun; Fagba/Akute Road; Iju Isaga; Iju-Obawole; Pamada/Abule-Egba; Ijaiye/Ojokoro; Ijaiye/Agbado/Kollington; Alakuko/Kollington; Ajegunle/Akinde/Animashaun
IkejaAnifowoshe/Ikeja; Ojodu/Agidingbi/Omole; Alausa/Oregun/Olusosun; Airport/Onipetesi/Onilekere; Ipodo/Seriki Aro; Adekunle Vill./Adeniyi Jones/Ogba; Oke-Ira/Aguda; Onigbongbo/Military Cantonment; Gra/Police Barracks; Wasimi/Opebi/Allen
IkoroduIsele I; Isele II; Isele III; Aga/Ijimu; Ipakodo; Imota 1; Imota II; Isiu; Igbogbo I; Igbogbo II; Baiyeku/Oreta; Ijede J; Ijede II; Agura/Iponmi; Odogunyan; Erikorodu; Agbala; Olorunda/Igbaga
KosofeOworonshoki; Ifako/Soluyi; Anthony/Ajao Estate/Mende/Maryland; Ojota/Ogudu; Ketu/Alapere/Agidi/Orisigun/Kosofe/Ajelogo/Akanimodo; Ikosi Ketu/Mile 12/Agiliti/Maidan; Isheri-Olowo-Ira/Shangisha/Magodo Phase I & II; Agboyi I; Agboyi II; Owode Onirin/Ajegunle/Odo-Ogun
Lagos IslandOlowogbowo/Elegbata; Oluwole; Idumota/Oke; Oju-Oto; Oko-Awo; Agarawu/Obadina; Iduntafa; Ilupesi; Isale-Agbede; Olosun; Olushi/Kakawa; Popo-Aguda; Anikantamo; Oko-Faji; Eiyekole; Onikan; Sandgrouse; Epetedo; Lafiaji/Ebute
Lagos MainlandOtto/Iddo; Olaleye Village; Maroko/Ebute Metta; Oyingbo Market/Ebute Metta; Glover/Ebute Metta; Oko-Baba; Oyadiran Estate/Abule-Oja; Alagomeji; Iwaya; Yaba/Igbobi
MushinAlakara; Idi-Oro/Odi-Olowu; Babalosa; Ojuwoye; Ilupeju; Olateju; Kayode/Fadeyi; Mushin/Atewolara; Papa-Ajao; Ilasamaja; Babalosa/Idi-Araba; Idi-Araba; Itire; Ilupeju Industrial Estate
OjoOjo Town; Okokomaiko; Ajangbadi; Ijanikin; Iba; Irewe; Tafi; Etegbin; Idoluwo; Sabo
Oshodi/IsoloOshodi/Bolade; Orile-Oshodi; Isolo; Ajao Estate; Mafoluku; Sogunle; Sogunle/Alasia; Okota; Ishagatedo; Oke-Afa/Ejigbo
SomoluOnipanu; Palmgrove/Ijebutedo; Alade; Bajulaiye; Mafowoku/Pedro; Lad-Lak/Bariga; Ilaje/Akoka; Igbobi/Fadeyi; Fola Agoro/Bajulaiye/Igbari-Akoka; Gbagada Phase I Obanikoro/Pedro; Gbagada Phase II /Bariga/Apelehin; Abule-Okuta/Ilaje/Bariga
SurulereOrile; Aguda; Ijeshatedo; Akinhanmi/Cole; Yaba/Ojuelegba; Igbaja/Stadium; Shitta/Ogunlana Drive; Adeniran/Ogunsanya; Iponri Housing Estate/Eric Moore; Coker; Ikate; Baya-Oje; Igbon/Gambari; Iresaapa; Arolu; Iresaadu; Iregba; Iwofin; Ilajue; Mayin

Tertiary educational institutions in Lagos State

While the state is essentially a Yoruba-speaking environment, it is a socio-cultural melting pot attracting both Nigerians and foreigners alike.
Indigenous inhabitants include the Aworis and Ogus in Ikeja and Badagry Divisions respectively, with the Eguns being found mainly in Badagry.
There is also an admixture of other pioneer settlers collectively known as the Ekos.
The indigenes of Ikorodu and Epe Divisions are mainly the Ijebus with pockets of Eko-Awori settlers along the coastland and riverine areas.

Notable people

in Ikeja is one of Nigeria's five major international airports. It was built in 1978 and named after the former military head of state Late General Murtala Mohammed.
Lagos has also has the Lekki-Epe International Airport which is a proposed airport in Lekki, Nigeria, designed for a capacity of 5 million passengers annually.