INTRODUCTION

Lagos is one of the six states that make up Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone. It shares an international boundary with the Republic of Benin to the Southwest and an interstate boundary with Ogun State to the North and East. The Bight of Benin lies to its South.

LANDMASS, LOCATION, AND POPULATION

Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria with an area of 3,576 square kilometres, of which 75,755 hectares are wetlands. It lies at latitude 6°35' North and longitude 3°45' East. Lagos has a population of 9,113,605 (2006 census) 12,550,598 (2016 forecast) and a population density of 2,548. The state accounts for 6.49% of Nigeria’s total population.

HISTORY AND PEOPLE

The Portuguese explorer Rui de Sequeria, who visited the area that is now Lagos State in 1472, gave it the name “Lago de Curamo” (lago is the Portuguese word for lake). As a coastal state, it was an important commercial centre and thrived on trade between the Europeans and hinterland natives. It was used as a war camp by the Benin Empire who referred to it as “Eko” (this has since been the Yoruba name for the state). 
Lagos has been home to a number of different ethnic groups over the centuries. It was originally inhabited by the Awori sub-group of the Yoruba people who were mostly hunters and fishermen. They had migrated from Ile-Ife by stages to the coast at Ebute-Metta. Under the leadership of their Olofin, the Awori moved to an island now called Iddo and then to the larger Lagos Island. 
In the fifteenth century, the Awori settlement was attacked by the Benin Empire following a quarrel, and the island became a Benin war-camp called "Eko" under Oba Orhogba, the Oba of Benin at the time.
Yoruba people settled in the state in large numbers early in the course of its modern development, followed by migrants from all over Nigeria and other West African nations, as well as returnee ex-slaves (known as Creoles) from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Brazil and the West Indies. The Creoles contributed significantly to Lagos’s modernisation and the influence of their Portuguese heritage can still be seen in the architecture on Lagos Island.
Lagos State was originally part of the Western Region in the three-region structure of 1954. In 1967, with the creation of twelve federal states by General Yakubu Gowon’s military government, it became part of the Western State. With the creation of nineteen states from the existing twelve in 1976 by the military government of General Murtala Muhammed, Lagos State was carved out of Western State. Lagos served as the capital of Nigeria from 1914 until 1991 when Abuja replaced it as the nation’s capital.

MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES

Ikeja (capital), Agege, Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Mushin, Ojo, Lagos Island, and Lekki.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

ADMINISTRATORS AND GOVERNORS

Mobolaji Johnson (Governor – Military): May 1967 – July 1975
Adekunle Lawal (Governor – Military): July 1975 – 1977
Ndubuisi Kanu (Governor - Military): 1977 - July 1978
Ebitu Ukiwe (Governor – Military): July 1978 – October 1979
Lateef Jakande (Governor – Civilian (Unity Party of Nigeria)): October 1979 – December 1983
Gbolahan Mudasiru (Governor – Military): January 1984 – August 1986
Mike Akhigbe (Governor – Military): August 1986 – July 1988
Raji Rasaki (Governor – Military): July 1988 – January 1992
Michael Otedola (Governor – Civilian (National Republican Convention)): January 1992 – November 1993
Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Administrator – Military): December 1993 – August 1996
Mohammed Marwa (Administrator– Military): August 1996 – May 1999
Bola Tinubu (Governor – Civilian (Alliance for Democracy/Action Congress of Nigeria)): May 1999 – May 2007
Babatunde Fashola (Governor – Civilian (Action Congress of Nigeria/All Progressives Congress)): May 2007 – May 2015
Akinwumi Ambode (Governor - Civilian ( All Progressives Congress)): May 2015-  May 2019
Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Governor – Civilian (All Progressives Congress): May 2019 - Present

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION
 

Lagos State is Nigeria's commercial and financial centre and several industrial estates can be found there. The Lagos State port complex is along the state’s coastline and is one of the largest in West Africa.
Fishing in inland waterways as well as deep-sea fishing and shrimping along the coast are significant commercial activities in Lagos State. Agriculture is also important: the main crops in the state include corn, cassava, vegetable, rice, yam, cocoyam, cowpeas, soya beans, coconut, oil palm and kola nut. Mineral resources available in commercial quantities in the state include clay and industrial sands.
The tertiary institutions in the state are University of Lagos, National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos State University, Ojo; Pan-Atlantic University, Cetep City University, Caleb University, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Yaba College of Technology, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island; Federal College of Education, Yaba; Lagos State College of Primary Education, Epe; Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin; Lagos State School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health and College of Health Technology.

FAMOUS SITES AND CULTURE
Sites
Lekki Conservation Centre, Lekki

The Lekki Conservation Centre was built in 1990 by Chevron as a biodiversity research outlet. It is managed by the Nigeria Conservation Foundation with an aim is to safeguard the mangrove vegetation and wildlife of the Lekki Peninsula from urban encroachment. 
The Centre covers an area of 78 hectares and has a 401- metre long canopy walkway, regarded as the longest in Africa. Its extensive and diverse species content makes it one of the best nature parks in Africa.

National Theatre, Iganmu

The National Theatre in Iganmu was built in 1976 ahead of FESTAC 77 (Festival of the Arts and Culture 1977). It is a significant architectural structure in Lagos State with a main hall that can seat 5000.

New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja
 

The New Afrika Shrine which opened in 2000 was built to preserve the legacy of the late Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. It replaced the Old Afrika Shrine burnt down by the military in 1977. The shrine hosts the annual Felabration music carnival. French President Emmanuel Macron visited it in 2018.

Culture

The Eyo festival known as the Adamu Orisha Play is the most important cultural event in Lagos. The festival is usually held to honour a departed oba, prominent Lagosian or chief. The festivals most unique feature is the infrequency with which it is staged. It has been staged three, four and five times in a year and there has been 21 years between performances. The festival takes place on Lagos Island.
Other cultural activities in the state include the Olowogbowo, Oko-Faji Ebibi-Agemo, Igunuko, Iroko, Agere and Egungun (masquerade) festivals.
 

NOTABLE INDIGENES

Herbert Macaulay (1864 – 1946)

Madam Tinubu (1810-1887)

DID YOU KNOW

Broad Street Prison on Lagos Island was the first colonial prison in Lagos. Many famous Nigerians including Herbert Macaulay and Wole Soyinka were once held in the prison. Today it is known as Freedom Park.