Lagos – Nigeria Section 800 - Intelligence Offices in UK ӏ Dubai ӏ China ӏ Singapore Contents 1. Lagos – Background Information 2. Climate 3. City Lay-out 4. Islands of Lagos 5. Language Issues 6. Crime 7. Criminal Gangs 8. Road security 9. Public Transport 10. Hospital Facilities 11. Embassy Addresses in Lagos – British /American 1. Lagos: Geographical Background The state is located on the south-western part of Nigeria on the narrow coastal flood plain of Bight of Benin. Lagos State is bounded in the North and East by Ogun State of Nigeria, in the West by the Republic of Benin, and in the South by the Atlantic Ocean. It has five administrative divisions of Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe. Territorially, Lagos State encompasses an area of 358,862 hectares or 3,577sq.km. Although Lagos state is the smallest state in Nigeria, with an area of 358,862 hectares of which 75,755 hectares are wetlands, it has the highest population, which is over five per cent of the national estimate. Of this population, Metropolitan Lagos, an area covering 37% of the land area of Lagos State is home to over 85% of the State population. Current demographic trend analysis revealed that the Lagos population is growing ten times faster than New York and Los Angeles with grave implication for urban sustainability. Lagos is now considered to be Africa’s largest city, surpassing Cairo, with a population of roughly twenty one million. It has now become the centre of one of the largest urban areas in the world. Lagos generates about a quarter of Nigeria’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and although the city has many multi-millionaires, it also has two thirds of its population living in slums. The infrastructure in the city is better than most Nigerian cities, mainly due to the success of its tax collection by a privatised company, whereby the taxes that are collected get redirected into improving the city’s transportation systems, sanitation and other necessary infrastructure projects. However, the rate that the population is increasing will bring its own problems. More money needs to be put into education to create more jobs. Otherwise, as with any city that has a largely poor population, crime will become the only answer to some to make a living. Crime rates in Lagos have become extremely high, with violent robberies and corruption amongst the highest levels for that type of crime in Nigeria. In April 2013, a ban on motorcycle-taxis was implemented, as it was assessed that these helped to increase the crime rate, as many crimes were committed using these motorcycles. In January 2014, Lagos implemented a ban on smoking in public places, with perpetrators facing a fine of $62 or three months in jail. The Port of Lagos is one of the busiest on the African continent. The port is split into three smaller ports to handle varied cargo. These include the container terminal located on Apapa Port, Lagos Port on Lagos Island and Tin Can Port on Badagry Creek. The port offers employment opportunities to thousands of Nigerians and other nationals. Note that Nigeria’s oil exports are channeled through Lagos Port. Lagos is Nigeria's financial, commercial and industrial nerve centre with over 2,000 manufacturing industries and over 200 financial institutions (Banks, Insurance companies etc.) including the nation's premier stock exchange, the Nigeria Stock Exchange. The headquarters of multinational conglomerates like UAC, Unilever, John Holts, BEWAC/VYB, Leventis, Churchgate, Chevron, Shell, Exxonmobil and the nation's giant public enterprises are all located within the State. Lagos also boosts some of the largest telecommunications giants, such as MTN, Globacom, Etisalat and Zain. Lagos has varied manufacturing industries. Of these, leather and textile manufacturing industries are the predominant. Textiles produced in Lagos and such other cities as Kano, Onitsha and Abeokuta, are some of the finest you can find and while some of the textile is exported, a big percentage is used locally. 2. Climate Generally, Lagos experiences tropical monsoon type of climate characterized by dry and wet weather conditions at specific times during the year. The city experiences two rainy seasons in a year. While heavily rains occur between April and July, the period between October and November brings light rains over the city and its surroundings. The city usually remains dry between December and March with another short dry spell in the months of August and September. Dry spells in Lagos are usually characterized by harmattan winds that blow from the Sahara Desert in the north. While temperatures in the city can be as high as 37 degrees centigrade during dry periods, the same can be as low as 13 degrees centigrade during rainy seasons. 3. City Layout The city of Lagos is located on several Islands, lagoons and sandbars. The four main Islands include Lagos, Victoria, Iddo and Ikoyi. All these are interconnected creeks, landfills and bridges that also connect the Lagos Island to the mainland. The mainland area of Lagos has become the city’s nerve centre. Of the mainland suburbs, Ikeja is the main one. Ikeja The suburb is located some 20 kilometers north of Lagos City and although its establishment was meant to serve as the city’s industrial center, it has turned into one of the city’s major residential locations. The suburb has vital amenities and good infrastructure. Housing units in the suburb include luxurious homes in what is referred to as government area and flats of different sizes and styles. It has several shopping outlets, markets and recreational facilities. Note that apart from hosting Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja is the capital of Lagos State. Surulere Surulere suburb is located some 20 km from Ikeja. It is a vast and densely populated area with most residential buildings gradually being converted to commercial buildings. The suburb has come to be known as sporting city due to its hosting of National Theatre, Surulere National Stadium and other sports facilities. Various markets and shopping centers are to be found in Surulere including Tejuosho market and Ipunri shopping complex. Due to various facilities available, Surulere is generally a secure suburb with several police establishments around. Ipeba Located some two kilometers from Ikeja is the well planned and organized Ipeba suburb. This is a low density populated residential suburb where you will find some of Lagos’ rich individuals. It is one of the most secure suburbs in Lagos. The suburb is fast becoming Lagos’ leisure, entertainment and shopping center. Omole Six kilometers toward west of Ikeja is Omole suburb. This is a relatively new suburb that is largely private. Apart from excellent roads, the suburb has well lit streets and paved sidewalks. It is another suburb that is very secure as several police posts are located within. Ogba Further west of Ikeja past Omole suburb lies Ogba suburb. This is a densely populated suburb that is home to both low and high-income families. While most flats and other housing units are unfurnished, they are generally very pleasant. Its main market day happens to be on Sundays when it suddenly comes to life with many businessmen from all parts of Nigeria coming in to sell their wares. Ikorodu Located some 26 kilometers from Ikeja lies Ikorodu suburb whose location makes it one of the most visited places in Lagos by tourists. It has a beautiful lagoon shoreline lined with palm groves. It has some of Lagos’ beautiful beaches in Baiyeku, Ipakodo and Ibeshe. This is in addition to many shopping outlets. Lying across Lagos Island on the mainland is Iddo, a small suburb that also serves as railroad terminus. The suburb is not heavily populated. Greater Lagos: The greater Lagos area is further inland. The area includes Isolo, Agege, Egbeda, Bariga, Iju Ishaga, Ketu, Ipaja, Ejigbo, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikotun, Ajah, Maryland, Ikotun, Somolu and Oworonsoki. Of these, Ipaja is the notable suburb. It is a densely populated suburb west of Lagos City with most housing units being state owned. A big population coupled with poor roads makes the suburb one of the most uncomfortable to live in because of heavy traffic jams during peak hours. 4. Islands of Lagos: The Islands district is made up of three main islands; Lagos Island, Ikoyi and Victoria Island. Of these, Lagos Island is the largest and has several high-rise buildings. Lagos Island It is on Lagos Island where you will find the famous Idumota and Balogun markets, the National Museum of Nigeria, Christ’s Cathedral, Oba Palace and the historical Tinubu Square where the north-south amalgamation ceremony was held in 1914. Located west of Lagos Island is Apapa suburb. Apart from being the main sea port, Apapa suburb is also home to thousands of families who otherwise rely on public transport systems to move around the city. Ikoyi Island Toward the east of Lagos Island lies Ikoyi Island, home to some of the wealthiest individuals. It is connected to Lagos Island by a landfill. It is on Ikoyi Island where Nigerian government federal headquarters used to be located before it was moved to Abuja. The Island continues to host several government agencies including police, military and prison. You will also find various hotels, restaurants and night clubs on the Island. Previously inhabited by British colonial rulers, Ikoyi later became home to Nigerian military rulers after the country attained independence. It is now home to expatriates working in the city. Houses here still occupy large compounds. Most houses are however being demolised to pave way for construction of high-rise residential buildings. Victoria Island Toward the south of Lagos Island, lies Victoria Island that is also connected to Ikoyi Island by creeks.