Largest city in Nigeria 2017


Do you want to know which is the largest city in Nigeria? It's time to show you the biggest city by land mass and population in the country! Take a look at top 10 mind blowing facts about the largest city in Nigeria?

Largest city in Nigeria 2017
What is the name of largest city in Nigeria?

What is the name of largest city in Nigeria?
The biggest city in Nigeria for today is Lagos. It`s one of the fastest growing cities not only in the country but also in Africa! It`s called the megacity of Africa with the largest GDP. It`s the city of millionaires and poor people! The first signs of Lagos settlement can be traced back to the 15th century. At that time, the first inhabitants of the settlement were the Yoruba people. The initial city name was “Oko.”

In the sixteenth century “Oko” was conquered by the Benin Empire and was renamed to “Eko.” How did Lagos get its name? The name was given to this city by Portuguese. Lagos means lakes in Portuguese.

History of Lagos

History of Lagos
As it was mentioned, Lagos was created in the 15th century. In 1472, Rui de Sequeira, who was an explorer from Portugal, gave the name to the area where the city stands now. The name was Lago de Curamo. According to another version of the story, the city was named after Lagos port town in Portugal, which was the starting point for Portuguese who explored Africa.

History of Lagos
The area, which is known today as Lagos state, was conquered by the Great Britain in 1861. It was given to the Crown according to the Lagos Treaty of Cession. The remaining areas in Nigeria were conquered in 1887. The protectorate over Nigeria was established in 1914 and Lagos became its capital. The city was the first link of the Nigerian economy. A lot of ex-slaves, workers, merchants, industrialists traveled to Lagos for a better life. Eventually, Lagos city became a meeting point between Africans and Europeans.

History of Lagos
Lagos became a starting point for Nigerian economic boom in the 1960s and 1970s. It was soon administrated as the country`s capital. However, in 1991, the capital city was relocated to Abuja. Still, Lagos city remains the biggest and wealthiest center of Nigeria and Africa.

Top 10 facts about Lagos

Is Lagos the largest city in Nigeria – Top 10
READ ALSO: Largest city in West Africa

1. Is Lagos the largest city in Nigeria?

1. The largest city in Nigeria by land area
It is the largest city in Nigeria by land area. The metropolis area of the city is a fascinating 1,171,28 square kilometers. Most of this area is covered by land mass – 999.6 square kilometers. The water area covers about 171.68 square kilometers. Some of the areas are inhabited by people. The urban area of the city covers 907 square kilometers. There is also a Metro, which covers an area of 2,706 square kilometers.

2. Largest city by population

2. Largest city by population
According to a recent census, the population of Lagos consists of more than 17 million people. Most of these people live in the metropolitan area of the city – about 15.5 million people. The population continues to grow. According to the census 2006, the population of Lagos was about eight million people. In the last ten years, it`s clear that population has doubled.

3. Architecture of Lagos

3. Architecture of Lagos
Lagos has the tallest skyline not only in Nigeria but also Africa. The tallest building in Nigeria – NECOM House is also located in Lagos. Lagos is famous for its buildings! Just take a look at the short list:

- Cathedral Church of Christ;

- Tejuosho Market;

- Union Bank Building;

- St. Nicholas Building;

- National Arts Theatre;

- Iga Idunganran;

- Bookshop House;

- Federal Palace Hotel;

- City Hall;

- Independence House.

4. Lagos Economy

4. Lagos Economy
Did you know that the largest city in Nigeria generates 10% of the country`s GDP? It`s the biggest financial center of Nigeria. If you want to see the best shopping malls in the country, then you need to visit Lagos. It`s the city which never sleeps with a 24-hour economy.

5. City of Rich People

5. City of Rich People
If you think that the most luxurious houses are located in the capital of Nigeria, then you are wrong. Lagos is the city with the best places to spend money. You can have over 6,800 millionaires in Lagos! It`s the third city in terms of Millionaires in Africa. As if that's not enough, this city also has 360 multi-millionaires. But there's more, the city can also provide four billionaires.

6. City of poor people

poor people
Lagos is also known for its floating city – Makoko. If you think that it`s like Venice, then you are horribly wrong. It's the biggest slum city of Nigeria that is floating. People of Makoko are not like the rich people on Banana island. These poor people have to raise their children, work and get old in thlargest slums of Africa.

7. The biggest port

7. The biggest porty in Nigeria 2017
Lagos also serves as the biggest port in Nigeria. The city is responsible for 80% of import and 70% of export in Nigeria. The port of Lagos is on the list of the biggest ports in Africa and number one in Nigeria.

8. Nollywood

8. Nollywood
Nollywood is the biggest African center for film production. Most of the African movies and TV series come from Nollywood. This project first appeared in the New York Times in 2002. For now, this term is synonymous to the Nigerian Movie Industry.

9. Lagos – the fastest growing city in Africa

9. Lagos – the fastest growing city in Africa
At the end of the 1970s, nobody could imagine that a small port, with 1.5 million population, would become the largest city in Africa. Today, it's the largest city in Nigeria with more 17 million people in it! With this speed of growth, the city will double its population in the first half of the 21st century.

10. City of Dreams

10. City of Dreams
If a Nigerian guy wants to become rich and famous, he does not go to Abuja. He goes to Lagos! It`s the city where you can become rich in one day and lose everything in another. In addition, the city is a magnet for all dreamers in Nigeria.

Is Lagos the largest city in Nigeria

Is Lagos the largest city in Nigeria
The answer is “Yes”! It`s the biggest city by land area and by population in Nigeria. So, when anyone asks you: “is Lagos the largest city in Nigeria?” – you will know the answer!


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