Six Facts You Need To Know About Lagos

Lagos remains the most populous state in Nigeria with over 20 million people. It is also a major financial centre. Here are facts about Lagos, Nigeria’s largest megacity, some you know others you don’t.

 Has the Tallest Building in West Africa

Lagos state hosts the tallest building in West Africa, NECOM house towers and it is 160m above the city.

Longest bridge

The Third Mainland Bridge which connects Lagos Island to the mainland was the longest bridge in Africa measuring 11.8 km until 1996. Built by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the official name of the bridge is Ibrahim Babangida Bridge.

 Handles 80% of the Country’s Imports

Lagos handles the majority of Nigeria’s imports. Located in the Southwest beach line of Nigeria, Lagos port is responsible for processing 80% of goods in Nigeria. This port is also mentioned as one of the top 10 in Africa.

Called Eko before colonisation

Lagos was called Eko before colonisation by locals. It served as a major centre for slave-trade, from which then Oba of Benin Ado and all of his successors for over four centuries supported – until 1841 when Oba Akitoye ascended to the throne of Lagos and attempted to ban slave-trading.

Local merchants strongly opposed the intended move, and deposed, exiled the king and installed Akitoye’s brother Kosoko as Oba.

Capital of Nigeria until 1991

 Lagos maintained its status as capital when Nigeria obtained its independence from Britain in 1960. Lagos was, therefore, the capital city of Nigeria from 1914 until 1991, when it was replaced with Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory.

Lagos mainland was the geographical boundary

Until the coming of the Binis Lagos’s geographic boundary was Lagos Mainland. Lagos Island, the seat of the Oba of Lagos, then consisted of a pepper farm and fishing posts. No one lived there. The name Eko was given to it by its first king, Oba Ado, during its early history. Lagos also saw periods of rule by the Kingdom of Benin.

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