Lagos was originally inhabited by the Awori subgroup of the Yoruba people in the 15th century, who called it “Oko”. Under the leadership of the Oloye Olofin, the Awori moved to an island now called Iddo and then to the larger Lagos Island. In the 16th century, the Awori settlement was conquered by the Benin Empire and the island became a Benin war-camp called “Eko” under Oba Orhogba, the Oba of Benin at the time. Eko is still the native name for Lagos.
Lagos is the Portuguese name for the settlement, meaning “lakes.” The Portuguese first landed on Lagos Island in 1472. Trade developed slowly, however, until the Portuguese were granted a series of asientos de negros—monopolies to sell slaves in the Spanish Americas—a century later. The local obas (kings) enjoyed good relations with the Portuguese, who called the island Onim (and later Lagos) and established a flourishing slave trade.
However, Lagos was bombarded by the British in 1851, annexed on 6 August 1861 and declared a colony on 5 March 1862. By 1872 Lagos was a cosmopolitan trading center with a population over 60,000. In the 19th century, Lagos became a British colony and served as the center of administration for British Nigeria. It later became the capital of independent Nigeria until 1991 when Abuja took over that role. Today, Lagos stands as a testament to its colonial past, evident in its architecture and urban layout.
The foundations of orderliness for any city are planning and management. Lagos had this in place in the early days. The city was governed by an elected Lagos City Council, Nigeria’s oldest, established in 1900. It was governed according to colonial legislation, particularly the 1948 Building Line regulations and the 1957 Public Health Law.
The city was much smaller, consisting of the neighborhoods of Ikoyi and Obalende on Lagos Island (Eko). It was a stunning setting with British Victorian, Portuguese, and Brazilian architecture. There were trees along the tidy streets. There was hardly any urban crime. The metropolis grew to connect hitherto isolated regions like Ikeja, Mushin, Orile, Ojo, Oshodi, and Agege in the 1970s.
Lagos’ population skyrocketed from 31st in the world city ranking in 1985 to 13.4 million in the year 2000, making it the sixth megacity in the world, Africa’s most important urban center, and the center of national, regional, and international socioeconomic and political activity.
The people of Lagos, known as Lagosians, are warm and friendly, always willing to welcome visitors into their midst. Lagos is a diverse city, with a mix of indigenous cultures and influences from other ethnic groups across Nigeria and beyond. Respect for elders is highly valued in Lagosian society, and it is customary to greet older individuals with a friendly handshake and a show of respect.
Economically, Lagos is formidable, boasting the fourth-highest GDP in Africa and hosting one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent. Moreover, the city serves as a prominent center for education and culture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Also, Lagos boasts a rich Islamic history, magnificent architecture, and a vibrant cultural heritage. The city is home to significant Muslims and Christians populations. In 1869, the Cathedral Church of Christ was established in Lagos. Five years earlier, Samuel Ajayi Crowther had become the first African bishop of the Anglican Church.
The spirit of harmony and tolerance in Lagos is embodied in the cohabitation of many religious communities and the preservation of Islamic history. During the 14th century, commercial links with Muslim traders from North Africa and the Middle East brought Islam to Lagos. The traditional ruler of Lagos, the Oba, encouraged the embrace of Islam and so had a major influence in the Islamization of the city. The construction of mosques and Islamic schools contributed to the growth of the Muslim population in Lagos over time.
In addition, the city vaunts a blend of Islamic and indigenous architectural styles, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of the city. The Central Mosque of Lagos is a prominent Islamic architectural landmark. It features a magnificent dome, minarets, and intricate decorative details. Traditional Islamic architectural elements, such as geometric patterns, calligraphy, and arches, can be observed in various mosques and buildings across the city. Some historic neighborhoods, like Isale Eko, showcase traditional Islamic houses with distinctive features such as inner courtyards and carved wooden doors.
It is worth-mentioning that, elite aspirations to create a law-abiding megacity and electoral pressures were the driving forces behind the city’s reformation. These improvements were made possible by the restoration of democracy, which allowed an elected government to act in the best interests of the people.
Improvements in the city encompass the utilization of public transportation and the restoration and verdanting of once abandoned and mishandled areas beneath Lagos’s numerous flyovers, bridges, and intersections. Furthermore, pavements have been constructed and roadways repaired. Parts of the city have access to drinkable water, and abandoned business and residential sectors have been restored.
