₦airaland Forum

WizardOfNG:
Below is a huge pile of rubbish in Whitechapel London. I see so many like that across London with my own eyes and not "dem say dem say".

Ditto many Western megacities of the world like New York etal where waste disposal is an eternal challenge often the fault of unruly folks littering irresponsibly and dumping their refuse everywhere.

Yet your own instant and default conclusions is that "blacks indeed can't govern".

Whereas the Government of Lagos, despite huge challenges it faces because of over-rapid population explosion that will test the infrastructure of any city globally, continues to innovate to accolades from many West African nations coming to understudy what Lagos is doing well.

If you often settle upon the worst reason for judging yourself a failure, that is self-hatred and a tendency to look down on yourself or your kind since you have not considered anything else and went for what makes you seem inferior in comparison to others.

Applied to this scenario, a large part of the issue is to do with how filthy, thoughtless, irresponsible and lawless Nigerians are and not the failings of Lagos leaders.

brain54:
To those above talking rubbish and nonsense about tax...


Did the lagos government complain the reason for not packing up the dirt and cleaning the road was because they don't have funds or that it is broke?


Lagos is one of the biggest beneficiary of taxation in Nigeria. Generating revenue to the tone of billions monthly. Lagos is a small state by size what do they do with all the money generated if they can't do basic things like keeping the state clean?


Is it until they tax people money out from their nose that they would work or do basic acts of governance like keeping the state clean?



Make una dey side nonsense even when you are suffering for it. Some of you are used to suffering though so I can't blame you!

Burob:
Why are u crying more than the bereaved?

brain54:
How is my crying your problem...

Are you bereaved?

Burob:
Hypocrites crying more than the bereaved, I done go parts of New York City, filthy beyond imagination, no wonder some call it the rotten apple, I no believe wetin I dey see,, I go LA downtown, I never see 👀 so many homeless people in my life, it is like an epidemic, person tell me say place like skid row dey, I no for ever believe, a whole great Yankee?

Lagos just another mega city that comes with the good, the bad & the ugly.

Elusive001:
I hail those related with una ooooo. The way una dey reason is truly not easy oooo

ElSudani:
Stop complaining, get out of your car and start to sweep, you will be surprised at how many people will join you.
It is called leadership by example.

brain54:
To those above talking rubbish and nonsense about tax...


Did the lagos government complain the reason for not packing up the dirt and cleaning the road was because they don't have funds or that it is broke?


Lagos is one of the biggest beneficiary of taxation in Nigeria. Generating revenue to the tone of billions monthly. Lagos is a small state by size what do they do with all the money generated if they can't do basic things like keeping the state clean?


Is it until they tax people money out from their nose that they would work or do basic acts of governance like keeping the state clean?



Make una dey side nonsense even when you are suffering for it. Some of you are used to suffering though so I can't blame you!

Dijita:
Probably if some of us complaining about Lagos moved out of Lagos, the pressure on public service will reduced. The OP said Lagos is the smallest state in size . It is however, the biggest in population in a country where majority don't pay and don't want to pay taxes.

Lagos state population is about 24 million according to the state government. Its annual budget is about #4.44 Trillion. Budget per capita is about #185, 000 per year. ($115 - $125 per person per year). When you compare to other major cities in Africa: be speaking nonsense senseless grammar there …. Be defending nonsense there oga … Dey quote GDP and GDI and GGG data there . We say state dirty you Dey talk GDP. No use this sense born children ooo

City Population (Est.) Annual Budget (USD) Budget Per Person
Johannesburg, South Africa ~6 Million ~$5.8 Billion ~$966
Cairo, Egypt ~10.5 Million* ~$3.8 Billion (Regional Est.) ~$360
Lagos, Nigeria ~24 Million ~$2.8 Billion (₦4.44T) ~$116
Nairobi, Kenya ~5.5 Million ~$310 Million (County) ~$56

Key Insights
1. The "South African" Exception
Johannesburg’s spending power is nearly 8x higher per person than Lagos. This is largely due to South Africa's highly formalized economy and effective municipal tax collection systems (property rates, electricity surcharges, and water billing), which provide a massive pool of internal revenue compared to the Nigerian model.

2. Lagos vs. Cairo: The Megacity Paradox
Lagos and Cairo are the two largest city-economies on the continent. While Cairo has a higher per capita spend, it is also a highly centralized "National Capital" where the federal Egyptian government handles most major infrastructure. Lagos, as a state within a federation, carries a heavier burden of providing its own healthcare, education, and transport without as much central support

3. The "Scale" Challenge
Lagos suffers from its own success. Because its population is so high (nearly 4x that of Johannesburg), even a "record-breaking" budget of ₦4.44 Trillion ($2.8 Billion) gets diluted quickly. For Lagos to match Johannesburg's per capita spending, its budget would need to exceed ₦35 Trillion.

4. Purchasing Power Considerations
While the USD figure for Lagos looks low, the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)—what that money can actually buy locally—is slightly better. However, because Lagos imports most of its construction materials and technology for projects like the Blue Line Rail, the "Global USD" value remains the most accurate measure of its infrastructure-building power.

I believe Lagos state can do better but the histerial of Lagos state revenue going to one man's pocket should stop. It is intellectually lazy. Lagos state government has annual budget, call out line items in the budget that is not been properly executed instead of nonsensical allegation that helps not one and move neither the state nor the country forward.

WizardOfNG:
There is no way you can keep a State clean when it is burdened unfairly by humongous inward migration, month on month and year on year, from other States of Nigeria.

Lagos cannot work magic against physical challenges and Nigerians tend not to never see this because most view themselves blameless while pointing the finger at leaders over everything.

There is no magic that can be worked to counter massive influx of people, in a short period of time, into a geographical space that cannot physically handle that near overnight population explosion.

It is not possible and it is Nigerians, because they are unreasonable and irresponsible plus largely ignorant, who believe the entire population of several states of Nigeria can be combined and squeezed into the smallest State in Nigeria with no serious negative consequences for town planning and urban management.

No need for redundant back and forth. Nairalander should simply get professional input, we all have to respect, by showning this post to urban, town and regional planning professionals plus experts in specialized fields like civil engineering, public health, and environmental science.

ElSudani:
Stop complaining, get out of your car and start to sweep, you will be surprised at how many people will join you.
It is called leadership by example.

WizardOfNG:
There is no way you can keep a State clean when it is burdened unfairly by humongous inward migration, month on month and year on year, from other States of Nigeria.

Lagos cannot work magic against physical challenges and Nigerians tend not to never see this because most view themselves blameless while pointing the finger at leaders over everything.

There is no magic that can be worked to counter massive influx of people, in a short period of time, into a geographical space that cannot physically handle that near overnight population explosion.

It is not possible and it is Nigerians, because they are unreasonable and irresponsible plus largely ignorant, who believe the entire population of several states of Nigeria can be combined and squeezed into the smallest State in Nigeria with no serious negative consequences for town planning and urban management.

No need for redundant back and forth. Nairalander should simply get professional input, we all have to respect, by showning this post to urban, town and regional planning professionals plus experts in specialized fields like civil engineering, public health, and environmental science.

brain54:
You mentioned genuine problems and concerns for lagos as a state...


Massive migration, overpopulation, citizen behavior etc. Non of it is directly related to people not paying tax or lagos state not generating enough revenue to handle one of it's basic responsibility!

3. Ideal Population for Lagos

Using urban Lagos ≈ 1,150 km²:

Conservative (comfortable, well-planned)

8,000/km² × 1,150 km² ≈ 9.2 million

Upper-limit (dense but functional)

12,000/km² × 1,150 km² ≈ 13.8 million

WizardOfNG:
Bro "basic responsibility" for any State directly correlates with management of acceptable burden a State is expected to be able to deal with.

It is unreasonable people who just expect a State to be burdened unreasonably ( humongous population explosion) to then insist said State must manage the physically unfeasible burde and keep managing such as it multiplies rapidly daily.

I politely asked you to consult knowledgeable expert but you rejected that and repeated your previous argument verbatim.

That is AI's well-researched ideal population for Lagos with stated conservative and upper limit population for Lagos i.e her normal State management cburden. Most of us would preferentially settle on conservative ideal population which allows Lagos to be "comfortable, well-planned". Push come to shove we would accept upper limit that means Lagos would be "dense but functional'.

What on earth do you then call the 22-26 .illion estimated population of Lagos that is virtually twice what town-planning considers ideal populationof lagos (at 13.i million) using models comparing cities of the world and successful maagement of population per size of geographical space?

Can't you then deduce that if Lagos is this unfeasibly burdened then more money should be availabke to her perhaps perhaps via tax payment from the many empty and ignorant noisemeaker who avoid paying taxes yet are most uncouth insulting Lagos and her leaders?

Look at images supplied and scroll to last two chapters of "Reality check" and "bottom line" to note the problems unfeasible population growth, via massive influx from other States, is causing Lagos that need the "infrastructure of Tokyo or Seoul" to deal with her current population yet does not have that and is unlikely to have such in 50 to 70 years even

Hope you now understand that nothing you argue here is making logical or solutions-provision sense.

ElSudani:
I agree with you completely. I see solutions when you are yet to figure out if there was any problems at all.

ElSudani:
Good sense, some people are paid handsomely to provide these things. Hold them responsible, truth of the matter is, Obi can spend all his money and the issue will still remain. This is because he doesn't have the resources to solve the problem. He can actually achieve more by using his platform to get norther leaders to focus more in this area. No, he wants the glory for himself only, this is the thinking of a devious politician.

WizardOfNG:
Bro "basic responsibility" for any State directly correlates with management of acceptable burden a State is expected to be able to deal with.

It is unreasonable people who expect a State to be burdened unreasonably (humongous population explosion) to then insist said State must manage the physically unfeasible burden and keep managing such as it multiplies rapidly daily.

I politely asked you to consult knowledgeable experts for their opinion but you rejected that and repeated your previous argument verbatim.

That is AI's well-researched ideal population for Lagos with stated conservative and upper limit population for Lagos i.e her normal State management burden the state has the capacity to cope with.

Most of us would preferentially settle on conservative ideal population of 9.2 million which allows Lagos to be "comfortable, well-planned". Push come to shove we would accept upper limit that means Lagos would be "dense but functional' with 13.8 million people.

What on earth do you then call the 22-26 million estimated population of Lagos that is virtually twice what town-planning considers ideal populationof lagos (at 13.8 million) using models comparing cities of the world and successful management of population per size of geographical space?

Can't you then deduce that if Lagos is this unfeasibly burdened then more money should be availabke to her perhaps perhaps via tax payment from the many empty and ignorant noisemeaker who avoid paying taxes yet are most uncouth insulting Lagos and her leaders?

Look at images supplied and scroll to last two chapters of "Reality check" and "bottom line" to note the problems unfeasible population growth, via massive influx from other States, is causing Lagos that need the "infrastructure of Tokyo or Seoul" to deal with her current population yet does not have that and is unlikely to have such in 50 to 70 years even

Hope you now understand that nothing you argue here is making logical or solutions-provision sense.

Nifemy4:
It was a nauseating sight for me to behold this morning . Somthing shifted in me , but it was of immense curiosity borne out of : why can’t we get it right for once in this country .

For context : Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass and yet the richest state in west Africa. It’s a multibillion naira independent economy . Yet , what you find around is eye sore of garbage and soul crushing dirts like a pillar in the middle of the metropolis. This is suruelre , shitta roundabout .

If Lagos can’t get it right , then forget it . Nigeria can’t get it right . Cos Lagos is meant to be a prototype for other states .

The whole money in trillions made in this state is used to service one man’s greed —- no obvious development , nothing .

If you bring somone to Lagos for the first time , this is what they will see
The blacks indeed can’t govern . They lack the capacity . I d prefer if we still being colonized

Nifemy4:
It was a nauseating sight for me to behold this morning . Somthing shifted in me , but it was of immense curiosity borne out of : why can’t we get it right for once in this country .

For context : Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass and yet the richest state in west Africa. It’s a multibillion naira independent economy . Yet , what you find around is eye sore of garbage and soul crushing dirts like a pillar in the middle of the metropolis. This is suruelre , shitta roundabout .

If Lagos can’t get it right , then forget it . Nigeria can’t get it right . Cos Lagos is meant to be a prototype for other states .

The whole money in trillions made in this state is used to service one man’s greed —- no obvious development , nothing .

If you bring somone to Lagos for the first time , this is what they will see
The blacks indeed can’t govern . They lack the capacity . I d prefer if we still being colonized

ElSudani:
Stop complaining, get out of your car and start to sweep, you will be surprised at how many people will join you.
It is called leadership by example.

Nifemy4:
It was a nauseating sight for me to behold this morning . Somthing shifted in me , but it was of immense curiosity borne out of : why can’t we get it right for once in this country .

For context : Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass and yet the richest state in west Africa. It’s a multibillion naira independent economy . Yet , what you find around is eye sore of garbage and soul crushing dirts like a pillar in the middle of the metropolis. This is suruelre , shitta roundabout .

If Lagos can’t get it right , then forget it . Nigeria can’t get it right . Cos Lagos is meant to be a prototype for other states .

The whole money in trillions made in this state is used to service one man’s greed —- no obvious development , nothing .

If you bring somone to Lagos for the first time , this is what they will see
The blacks indeed can’t govern . They lack the capacity . I d prefer if we still being colonized

Musty112:
While I agree that there are progress to still be made, saying "No obvious development, nothing" when you are talking about Lagos?? Omo, your Glaucoma is at an advance stage oo

WizardOfNG:
Citizens have no responsibilities they abdicate also? Do you know how many Lagosians do not pay LAWMA dues and simply dump thrash everywhere even in decent estates?

Paying "all the taxes in the world" my foot. Some of you are just shameless liars ready to say anything to shame Government you have been brainwashed to hate and blame for everything.

There was a thread the other day showing African nations paying the most taxes. South Africa and Morocco were top and some smart Nairalanders immediately drew similarities to why the two nations are efficiently run with good infrastructure.

Whereas Nigeria that has one of the lowest and most negligible rates of tax remittances in Africa is full of people like you lying about Nigerians, the biggest tax Dodgers in Africa, "paying all taxes in this world".

You can't even be factually honest and you wish to portray yourself a good governance advocate. You are a mischief-maker bro.

Do you know what tax to GDP ratio is and how it impacts provision of infrastructure and services such as waste disposal etal?

Nigeria has one of the lowest in Africa yet Mr.Good Government advocate is claiming up and down a majority tax-dodging people now "pay all the taxes in the world".

You are one of the problem of Nigeria and never part of the solution in so far as you cannot discern the big picture and continue to trot out the claim the Government is at fault always for every problem ailing our nation.

thomas2024:
When you’re ready to speak the truth, I’ll be here. APC fraudulent government defender. Nigeria is the lowest country paying tax. You mean after the removal of fuel subsidy, after all the indirect income tax, after VAT, after stamp duty, despite the numerous natural resources. Give another excuse again🥳